If there’s one word that can be used to sum up 2024 forMicrosoftand its Xbox brand, it’s “multiplatform.” Earlier in the year, the American console manufacturer surprised fans and industry professionals alike when it revealed its plans to bring several of its first-party exclusives to PlayStation and Nintendo platforms. So far, fourMicrosoft-published games, namelySea of Thieves,Grounded,Pentiment, andHi-Fi Rush, have made the jump to rival consoles, but there’s more to come.Doom: The Dark Agesand the timed Xbox exclusiveIndiana Jones and the Great Circlehave already been confirmed for PS5, and reports suggest that the company is planning to bringForza Horizon 5andHaloto other platforms, too.
Although Xbox has yet to announce any more of its games for PlayStation and Nintendo consoles, there is one Microsoft-owned franchise that will soon come to more systems:Call of Duty. Prior to the closure of the Activision-Blizzard acquisition,Microsoft announced its intent to bring futureCall of Dutygames to Nintendo consolesfor the next ten years.Call of Dutyis already massive, but given how large the install base for the Switch is, the franchise has the potential to become even more popular thanks to this commitment. If this ends up paying big dividends for Microsoft, Sony may follow in the Xbox manufacturer’s footsteps by porting one of its flagship live service games,Helldivers 2, to Nintendo consoles, as well.
Sony Could Replicate Microsoft’s Call of Duty Plans By Bringing Helldivers 2 to Switch 2
Helldivers 2 Heading to Other Platforms Has Been a Topic of Discussion in Recent Months
Helldivers 2originally launched on PS5 and PC in February 2024, but over the last few months, there have been some rumblings about the game making its way to other platforms. In April of this year, XboxEra’s Nick Baker (a.k.a. Shpeshal_Nick) alleged that Sony was in preliminary discussions tobringHelldivers 2to Xbox Series X/S, though he cautioned that these talks could “fall to pieces.” The very same insider then claimed on November 2 thatthisHelldivers 2Xbox port was not happening. Even if this is true, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the game won’t come to Switch 2.
Helldivers 2 on Switch 2 Seems Unlikely, But Lego Horizon and Freedom Wars Show That It is Possible
Normally, it would be absurd to think that a PlayStation-published game likeHelldivers 2would ever make its way to a Nintendo console, but these days, it’s not outside the realm of possibility. One of Sony’s biggest first-party releases for 2024,LEGO Horizon Adventures, is releasing on Nintendo Switch day-one, alongside PlayStation 5 and PC. In addition, the Bandai Namco-publishedFreedom Wars Remasteredwill also be heading to Nintendo’s hybrid systemearly next year, in spite of the fact that theFreedom WarsIP is owned by PlayStation.
Games from Sony-owned franchises have almost never been released on non-PlayStation consoles, which is why it’s surprising thatLEGO HorizonandFreedom Warsare coming to the Switch. The last time something similar to this happened was whenWipeout 64came out for the Nintendo 64 in 1998. Sony’sMLB The Showgames are also available on Xbox and Nintendo consoles, but those are only multiplatform because MLB mandated it. In the case ofLEGO Horizon, however, it seems like the decision to bring the game to Switch was made entirely by Sony itself, at leastaccording to some comments from a developer at Guerrilla Games.
Helldivers 2 Could Receive a Big Boost in Players By Launching on Switch 2
The fact thatLEGO Horizon Adventuresand, to a lesser extent,Freedom Wars Remasteredare coming to Switch is a sign that Sony is potentially becoming more lenient towards bringing its games to Nintendo consoles. If so, then it would make a lot of sense forHelldivers 2to be ported to the Nintendo Switch 2.Live service games similar toHelldivers 2thrive by being available on as many platforms as possible and, since the Switch’s successor will most likely amass a large install base, the PvE shooter could benefit significantly from a release on the as-of-yet unannounced console.Helldivers 2would be a great launch title for Nintendo’s next system, but only time will tell if Sony ever allows it.
Helldivers 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Do you believe in freedom? Can you stand in the face of oppression – and defend the defenceless? Wage war for peace. Die for democracy.Join forces with up to three friends and wreak havoc on an alien scourge threatening the safety of your home planet, Super Earth, in this multiplayer co-op shooter for PS5 and PC from Arrowhead Game Studios.Step into the boots of the Helldivers, an elite class of soldiers whose mission is to spread peace, liberty and Managed Democracy using the biggest, baddest and most explosive tools in the galaxy.Helldivers don’t go planet side without proper backup, but it’s up to you to decide how and when to call it in. Not only do you have a host of superpowered primary weapons and customizable loadouts, you also have the ability to call on stratagems during play.Helldivers 2 features Arrowhead’s best cooperative gameplay yet. Collaboration will be vital: Teams will synergize on loadouts, strategize their approach for each mission and complete objectives together.1Enlist in Super Earth’s premier military peacekeeping force today. We are heroes… we are legends… WE ARE HELLDIVERS.
