Microsoft's push to bring Xbox games to PlayStation has paid off with strong sales and chart-topping performance. In an interview, Xbox Game Studios head Matt Booty highlighted this success and discussed the upcoming release of a Halo remake on PS5. The move aims to expand access to Microsoft's content across platforms.
Microsoft has surprised many by porting its first-party titles to PlayStation, its longtime console rival, and the results have been impressive. In a Variety interview published on December 12, 2025, Matt Booty, president of game content and studios at Xbox Game Studios, reflected on the positive reception and commercial success of these efforts.
Xbox Games Dominate PS5 Charts
Booty pointed to a standout period from late April to late June 2025, during which six of the top 10 games on PlayStation were Xbox titles. These ports not only received positive reviews but also became best-sellers. "I look at that as validation for the teams," Booty said. "But most importantly, it's an opportunity for more players to engage with our content, to come into our worlds." This expansion validates Microsoft's strategy to broaden its audience beyond Xbox ecosystems.
Halo Expands to PS5
A key highlight is the arrival of Halo on PS5. Long considered Xbox's flagship franchise, the series' next entry, Halo: Campaign Evolved—a campaign-only remake of the original 2001 game—will launch simultaneously on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PS5 in 2026. Booty noted that the announcement was well-received, emphasizing Microsoft's pleasure in making its content available to more players. The 2026 release coincides with Halo's 25th anniversary.
Broader 2026 Plans
The interview also touched on Microsoft's ambitious 2026 lineup, marking Xbox's 25th anniversary. An Xbox Developer Direct is scheduled for January 2026, showcasing updates on the new Fable and Forza Horizon 6, though it won't cover everything planned. Xbox marketing head Aaron Greenberg teased that the team is "cooking something special up next year." Other milestones include Bethesda's 40th and Blizzard's 35th anniversaries, with additional franchise releases expected. South of Midnight, previously an Xbox exclusive, will also arrive on PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026.
Booty addressed other topics, including a reversal on proposed $80 game prices in favor of dynamic monetization and challenges with annual Call of Duty releases, such as the mixed reception to Black Ops 7. Activision plans to avoid back-to-back sub-series entries and focus on meaningful innovations.
