Microsoft's recent announcement of the release of four Xbox exclusives on other platforms marked a significant shift in the industry. This was followed by the unveiling of two of these games at Nintendo Direct, along with official confirmation from Microsoft.
Industry experts were unsurprised by the selection of games due to circulating rumors. Neil Watton of TheXboxHub highlighted the potential for "Grounded" and "Sea of Thieves" to benefit from cross-play, which would bolster player bases upon their April launch.
Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog and Nintendo's Mario were once fierce rivals in the 1990s. However, Sega's discontinuation of console production led to Sonic's release on other platforms, including Nintendo's. This decision reflected a shift in the industry as former competitors adopted a more collaborative approach.