Helldivers 2, the sequel to the popular co-op shooter from Arrowhead Game Studios, was announced last year as a PlayStation 5 exclusive. The game is set to launch in 2024, but Xbox fans are not happy about missing out on the action. And neither is Xbox boss Phil Spencer.
In a recent interview with Game Informer, Spencer expressed his frustration with the exclusivity deal, saying that it is not "helping" anyone in the industry. He said that he respects Arrowhead's decision to partner with Sony, but he thinks that limiting the game's audience is a bad move for both gamers and developers.
"I think Helldivers 2 looks amazing, and I'm a big fan of Arrowhead's work. But I don't see how this exclusivity deal is helping anyone. It's not helping the gamers who want to play the game on their preferred platform. It's not helping the developers who want to reach as many players as possible. And it's not helping the industry as a whole, which should be about fostering creativity and innovation, not creating artificial barriers and divisions," Spencer said.
Spencer added that he hopes that Helldivers 2 will eventually come to Xbox platforms, either as a timed exclusive or as a cross-play title. He said that he has been in talks with Arrowhead and Sony, but he has not received any confirmation or commitment from either party.
"I'm always open to dialogue and collaboration, and I think we have a good relationship with both Arrowhead and Sony. But ultimately, it's their call. I can only hope that they will reconsider their decision and make Helldivers 2 available to all gamers, regardless of their platform of choice," Spencer said.
Spencer also said that he is not interested in pursuing similar exclusivity deals for Xbox games, as he believes that they are harmful to the gaming community. He said that he wants Xbox games to be accessible and inclusive, and that he supports cross-play and cross-progression features whenever possible.
"I don't think exclusivity deals are good for anyone. They only create frustration and resentment among gamers, and they limit the potential of games. That's why I'm not interested in locking down Xbox games to our platforms. I want Xbox games to be played by everyone, whether they are on Xbox consoles, PC, or mobile devices. And I want Xbox games to support cross-play and cross-progression, so that gamers can play together and switch between devices seamlessly," Spencer said.
Spencer concluded by saying that he hopes that the gaming industry will move away from exclusivity deals in the future, and embrace a more open and collaborative approach. He said that he thinks that this will benefit everyone involved, from gamers to developers to publishers.
"I think the gaming industry is at its best when it's open and collaborative, not closed and competitive. I think that's what gamers want, and what developers deserve. And I think that's what will make gaming better for everyone," Spencer said.
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