Indiana Jones and the Big Wheel is set to be a major console and Game Pass exclusive for Xbox this fall, but it’ll also be coming to PlayStation 5 soon, according to a novel report. Rumors of a port have been circulating for months, and it’s the latest Xbox game to lose its exclusivity amid Microsoft’s novel push toward multiplatform play.
Updated: 08/20/2024, 4:00 PM EST: Indiana Jones received an official release date of December 9 for Xbox and PC during Gamescom Opening Night Live. But the announcement also confirmed that the game will arrive on PS5 in spring 2025, with an exclusivity window that will last just a few months. The game also received a novel trailer showing off additional locations and all the things players will get to do as the titular archaeologist.
Original story below.
Indiana Joneswhich was developed by Machine Games studio, best known for the 2014 game. Wolfenstein: The New Order and its sequel do not have an official release date yet, but are expected to arrive on Xbox consoles and PC in delayed 2024. According to podcaster and industry insider Nate The Hatethe game will only have a miniature period of console exclusivity before coming to PS5 in the first half of 2025. Supporting his claim, Insider Gaming reports that this information has already been provided to some media outlets under a confidentiality agreement.
Earlier this year, Microsoft surprised fans with the news that four of its previously exclusive first-party games, including Sea of Thieves AND Hi-Fi Feverwill be coming to PS5. At the time, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer said there were no plans for other games, including Star Field AND Indiana Jonesnot yet available on multiple platforms.
But as Edge and others reported In the months since then, nothing is currently out of the question when it comes to which Xbox Studios games could lose their exclusive status. While this is good news for gamers who otherwise wouldn’t be able to access them, Xbox players are feeling left out and worried about the future of the platform as pressure mounts to boost profit margins after the acquisition Call to duty publisher Activision Blizzard.
Indiana Joneswhich is based on the Disney license, has been a major source of dispute in The FTC’s lawsuit over the merger last yearand the regulator pointed to its exclusivity as evidence of the dangers of industry consolidation. Pete Hines, who was then Bethesda’s publishing chief, argued that exclusivity led to better games by giving studios more time and resources to optimize projects for one platform, rather than several.
Hines was also one of the Bethesda executives who internally expressed the greatest frustration with the company’s games becoming exclusives after its acquisition by Microsoft, while franchises like Call to duty will remain multiplatform. He retired at the end of last year. Arkane’s Edgeanother licensed game currently being developed by a studio owned by Bethesda, he was also careful about the lack of announced exclusivity, with Doom: The Dark Ages being announced as a multiplatform game back during the Xbox Showcase earlier this summer.
As part of the novel approach, Microsoft was also reportedly considering a massive sci-fi RPG. Star Field for PS5. Its DLC expansion, Destroyed spacewill also be available this fall. Xbox is expected to create many announcements at Gamescom this weekWe’ll see if these include other PS5 ports.
Update: 8/19/24 4:30 PM EST: We’ve noticed that the next Doom game is also coming to PS5.
