Microsoft’s recent openness to bringing its biggest Xbox Series X|S games to PlayStation 5 has been a boon for sales. But the benefits for Xbox owners may not go both ways, as a trio of big upcoming Microsoft-published games are skipping physical releases on Xbox Series X|S. PS5 gamers, on the other hand, will be able to get physical editions of all three.
The Outer Worlds 2, Ninja Gaiden 4, and Gears of War: Reloaded are the three games in question, as seen on Amazon. But it doesn’t appear to be a case of Microsoft favoring PS5 over its own console. Instead, it seems to be part of Microsoft’s broader push towards digital-only releases.
Instead of coming with a physical disc, The Other Worlds 2 and Ninja Gaiden 4 will only be packaged with a download code in Series X|S boxes. Strangely enough, Gears of War: Reloaded won’t even have that physical option. It’s strictly a digital release except on PS5.
During an interview with Game File last year, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer indicated that the majority of Xbox game sales are digital. Spencer also said that Microsoft was simply “following what the customers are doing.” But the shift away from physical releases appears to be accelerating for Microsoft this year. That may be in part due to the uncertainty over whether the gaming industry will be seriously affected by the Trump administration’s tariffs.
Of the three games, Gears of War: Reloaded will be released first on August 26 for Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC. Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2 will follow on all three platforms on October 20 and October 29, respectively. Brandon Adler, the game director of The Outer Worlds 2, recently shared his response to Microsoft setting the price for that sequel at $80.