Microsoft and Nintendo are continuing to work in partnership with one another, breaking down the barriers that separate them. What started with a push for crossplay has led to exclusive characters making cameos between platforms. From Mario appearing in Minecraft to Banjo Kazooie and Steve appearing in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as DLC fighters, Nintendo and Microsoft haven't been shy about working together recently. Here's what that could mean for next-gen.
Microsoft and Nintendo started working together in 2018 when the industry's attention began to shift towards crossplay thanks to games like Minecraft and Fortnite. Soon, Microsoft announced that Xbox Live would come to the Switch console through individual games that could use the service to connect online players and unlock achievements.
A Partnership for the Players
Microsoft and Nintendo's enthusiasm to work together is great for gamers. What started as a means for gamers on different platforms to play together could pave the road for future generations. Nowadays, it's just good business to allow players the ability to connect. It's only something that we'll see and hear more of as video games continue to find their footing on cloud-based streaming services.
This relationship's remarkable result is the eagerness Microsoft has for sharing content and characters with Nintendo. Previously exclusive games like Cuphead and Ori and the Blind Forest shocked gamers when they were announced for Switch, as did the announcement of Banjo Kazooie coming to Smash Ultimate. But now, similar announcements regarding Ori and the Will of the Wisps and Steve are less surprising even though they would have seemed impossible just a year or two ago.
What Could the Future Hold?
Collaborations like this can only open new doors for players, and the industry has already seen some significant progress because of Nintendo and Microsoft's good working relationship. While Xbox Live is only on Switch in a limited capacity, that it is there at all is a big deal. It's a step closer to a world in which players experience less restrictions based on the hardware they own. And while the idea of a service like Xbox Game Pass coming to a Nintendo platform may seem far off, it's no longer impossible.
It's not unrealistic to think more barriers between platforms will be broken as time goes on. Nintendo and Microsoft have already shown the industry working together can lead to more success for both parties involved. Every partnership provides positive news coverage that could reach potential new players, amounting to free advertising.
As Nintendo and Microsoft set an example for how competitors can collaborate, it's up to other companies to take note and follow suit. Microsoft is already calling into question whether exclusive games even matter, and while Nintendo is still pretty protective of its IP, there are some positive signs that the company may be more open to collaboration even when it comes to its flagship series. Overall, the partnership Microsoft and Nintendo share is a positive thing for the industry that fosters a better environment for players.