The Game Awards 2025: Over 30% of Announcements Are Skipping Xbox
The Game Awards 2025 celebrated the industry’s best and unveiled dozens of massive announcements. However, amidst the hype, a glaring issue for Xbox Series X|S owners emerged. A significant chunk of the lineup is skipping the platform entirely.
The Xbox Void: Over 30% of Games Missing
Out of approximately 60 games presented during The Game Awards 2025, more than a third have no planned release on Xbox consoles. This isn’t just a handful of indie titles. It represents a substantial portion of the show’s programming.
Here is the list of titles that are skipping the Xbox Series X|S, along with their announced platforms:
- 4: Loop – PS5 & PC
- Arknights: Endfield – PS5, App Store, Google Play & PC
- AudioMech – PC
- Bradley the Badger – PC
- Coven of the Chicken Foot – PC
- Decrepit – PC
- Duet Night Abyss – App Store, Google Play & PC
- Escape from Duckov – PC
- Forest 3 – PC
- Guild Wars 2: Visions of Eternity – PC
- Nioh 3 – PS5 & PC
- Orbitals – Switch 2
- Order of the Sinking Star – PC
- Phantom Blade Zero – PS5 & PC
- Saros – PS5
- Solasta 2 – PC
- TankRat – PS5 & PC
- Stupid Never Dies – PS5 & PC (Coming 2026)
- The Free Shepherd – PS5 & PC
- The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin – PS5, App Store, Google Play & PC
- Where Winds Meet – PS5 & PC
- Wuthering Waves – PS5, App Store, Google Play & PC
Discover the full list of the games announced at The Game Awards 2025!
The Game Awards are all wrapped up and we’ve got the full breakdown of all the announcements 🏆
This Week on Xbox has it all: https://t.co/mJEvwtFLIm pic.twitter.com/80uMfBZHWM — Xbox (@Xbox) December 12, 2025
Why Developers Are Skipping Xbox
The list highlights a tough reality: many of these games are confirmed for PS5. This indicates that Sony’s console remains the priority for many publishers.
Some exclusions are logical. Saros, for example, is developed by Housemarque, a PlayStation-owned studio.
However, the broader trend suggests something concerning. Third-party developers simply don’t view the Xbox Series X|S as an essential launch platform anymore. Is the “Xbox console” brand losing its luster? It certainly seems like the hardware is struggling to attract the same attention as its Japanese competitor.
The Pivot to PC: Microsoft’s Master Plan
So, what can Xbox do to stop the bleeding? The strategy seems to have been in motion for years. They are shifting the ecosystem focus toward PC.
The recent launch of the ROG Xbox Ally is a prime example. While it carries the Xbox branding, it is fundamentally a Windows 11 PC.
This gives players access to a catalog far larger than what is available on Xbox Series X|S or PS5. By embracing PC hardware, Microsoft ensures that “Xbox gamers” aren’t actually missing out. That is, provided they are playing on the right device.
However, there is a catch. If a player buys Nioh 3 on Steam via their ROG Xbox Ally, Microsoft doesn’t see a dime of that direct sale. The long-term bet is different. They hope owning Xbox-branded hardware will eventually funnel users into the Xbox App or a Xbox Game Pass subscription.
The Future: A Console or a PC Hybrid?
Persistent rumors suggest that the next-generation Xbox will essentially be a consolized PC running Windows. This move would solve the availability issue overnight. If the console is a PC, it gets PC games.
Xbox President Sarah Bond recently confirmed the next console will be a “premium machine,” backward compatible, and designed with AMD. Jason Ronald, VP of the next Xbox generation, also dropped hints. He suggested we will learn more in 2026, coinciding with Xbox’s 25th anniversary.
In Conclusion: Is the Xbox Console Strategy Failing?
The traditional console war is becoming irrelevant to Microsoft as they pivot toward a new ecosystem. The hardware is just a gateway to Windows now. If you want to play everything, the message is clear: the future of Xbox might just be a PC.
Do you think Microsoft should give up on traditional consoles and focus entirely on handheld PCs? Let us know in the comments!
A video game enthusiast ever since I first got my hands on a Game Boy. Over the years, I've played many different games across various genres, discovering hidden gems and niche titles along the way. I'm also passionate about technology, always up-to-date with the latest news and insight in the PC and Console market. Ready to share and bring you the latest news !
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