A new rumor has surfaced, saying Microsoft will soon start publishing some of its titles on the Nintendo Switch.
The rumor, coming from Direct Feed Games, says Microsoft is working with Nintendo to release some of its titles on the Switch. According to several unnamed sources, the rumor is true, and within the year Switch players will see an Xbox title come to the portable console.
For some time now, Microsoft has been vocal about expanding their reach to as many players as possible. They intend to leverage the Project xCloud streaming service to bring Xbox One games to the Switch. Using a Game Pass, the Switch will be able to access Xbox titles via internet streaming.
Of course, the Switch is unable to play certain Xbox titles natively due to hardware limitations. But by using Project xCloud, Switch players will be able to run hardware-intensive titles such as "Halo," "Gears of War," and more.
Aside from the streaming service, Microsoft also intends to port some titles, including high-profile ones, to the Switch. One specific game mentioned is "Ori and the Blind Forest," considered by Game Informer as a "crown jewel" among Microsoft's titles.
Expansion plans
This initiative is part of Microsoft's plans to get more people to play Xbox titles even if they don't own an Xbox One. Project xCloud is one of the means to let non-Xbox owners spend money on Xbox services and titles, and the Switch seems like a good platform to start it with -- after all, who wouldn't want to play Xbox titles on the Switch?
The new initiative is seen to benefit both companies. Microsoft gets to earn more revenue even from non-Xbox owners. It also gets to expand its reach, beyond the comforts of their native console.
Nintendo, on the other hand, adds more value to the Switch by introducing a wider catalog of playable titles, native or not. This means Switch owners will have to left their consoles to purchase a new Xbox.
Microsoft isn't new to this kind of arrangement. It has published other titles for other platforms already. One perfect example would be "Minecraft."
Nintendo also has some experience on the matter. For some time now, it has been working on using cloud streaming to introduce hardware-demanding titles to the Switch. In Japan, for example, "Resident Evil 7" and "Assassin's Creed: Odyssey" can be played on the Switch via streaming.
If the rumors prove true, Switch owners will soon have a bigger library of games that make the portable console more enjoyable to own and play with.
