Publishers have cancelled Xbox Series X|S versions of two upcoming games, citing resource allocation and a shifting console market. 1348 Ex Voto and Nickelodeon Splat Pack will now launch only on PC, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch. This move reflects broader challenges for Xbox, including sharp sales drops and a lack of exclusive titles.
The gaming industry is witnessing a pivot away from Microsoft's Xbox Series X|S consoles, as evidenced by recent cancellations of game ports. Dear Villagers, publisher of the action-adventure title 1348 Ex Voto, announced that the Xbox version has been scrapped ahead of its March 12 release. Set in medieval Italy and played from a third-person perspective, the game will instead focus on PC, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch platforms. The publisher stated it made the decision “in order to focus the studio’s efforts on delivering the best experience possible for PC and PlayStation.”
Similarly, retro collection Nickelodeon Splat Pack, developed by Mighty Rabbit Studios and published by Limited Run Games, will skip Xbox entirely. The bundle includes Rocko’s Modern Life: Spunky’s Dangerous Day, Nickelodeon G.U.T.S., and Aaahh!!! Real Monsters, set for release on January 30 on Steam, PS5, and Nintendo Switch. The cancellation, announced just four days before launch, came without explanation from the involved parties.
These decisions align with Xbox's struggling market position. Circana U.S. data indicates a 70% drop in Series X|S sales for November 2025 compared to the previous year, while U.K. figures from analyst Christopher Dring show a 39% decline over 2025. Factors like price increases and fewer exclusive games are pushing publishers toward PS5 and Switch. Microsoft is redirecting efforts to PC, Windows handhelds, cloud gaming, and its operating system for future hardware, reducing incentives for multi-platform support on consoles.
