Microsoft’s bold push into the multi-platform gaming scene may soon see two of its upcoming heavy-hitters, Gears of War: E-Day and State of Decay 3, land on the PlayStation 5. According to a new report from MP1st, the era of Xbox console exclusivity is being further unraveled as the tech giant continues embracing third-party publishing strategies.
Gears of War: E-Day could expand beyond Xbox
First up, let’s talk about Gears of War: E-Day. This much-anticipated prequel to the original Gears trilogy, which is being positioned as a gritty return to the franchise’s roots, is now rumoured to be eyeing a release on PS5. This intel is based on a resume spotted by MP1st, belonging to a developer allegedly working on the game, which specifically lists the PlayStation 5 as one of the target platforms.
Although originally expected to be an Xbox Series X|S and PC exclusive, this new detail fits with earlier rumours from mid-2024 about the game’s multi-platform ambitions. As it stands, E-Day is aiming for a 2026 launch, though Microsoft hasn’t pinned down a solid release date. There’s also no confirmation whether the PS5 launch will happen on day one or be a later port.
State of Decay 3 also slated for PS5
Joining E-Day in this strategic shift is State of Decay 3. A resume belonging to a developer at Undead Labs also lists the PS5 as one of the platforms targeted by the survival zombie sim’s third instalment. While the game was initially expected to launch in 2024, it has reportedly been pushed back to 2026, with the launch schedule on PS5 still unknown.
Much like Gears, this would mark the first ever PlayStation appearance for the State of Decay franchise. Whether it lands the same day as its Xbox counterpart (as seen with games like Doom: The Dark Ages and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6) or comes in later (like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle) is still up in the air.
Microsoft’s Cross-Platform pivot: A recap
Ever since Microsoft began shedding its exclusivity-first approach earlier in 2024, it has ported more than a dozen Xbox-first titles to rival consoles, especially the PS5 and Nintendo Switch. This isn’t just a one-off experiment: it’s a full-blown strategy shift.
- Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 saw a same-day launch on Xbox, PS5, PS4, and Switch on July 11, 2025.
- Sea of Thieves and Grounded arrived on PS5 in April 2024.
- Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 is confirmed for a PS5 launch on August 12, 2025, just three months after it hit Xbox and PC.
- Forza Horizon 5 has come to PS5, and The Outer Worlds 2 will launch on PS5.
One of the most notable shifts came with the reveal of Gears of War: Reloaded in May 2025. The remastered version of the original Gears of War will launch on August 26 with full PS5 support, breaking the franchise’s long-standing Xbox exclusivity streak.
What other Xbox titles might make the jump?
Right now, several other major franchises are rumoured to be eyeing multi-platform expansion. Titles like Avowed, Microsoft Flight Simulator, Starfield, South of Midnight, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, and Rare Replay have all popped up in reports about potential PS5 ports.
Microsoft hasn’t formally confirmed these yet, but if their 2024-2025 release calendar is anything to go by, nothing’s off the table anymore.
Xbox Games are no longer Xbox-only
For gamers who’ve spent years on the periphery of iconic Xbox franchises, this is massive. If you own a PlayStation 5 and always wanted to experience the brutal weight of a Lancer chainsaw rifle or the desperate tension of a State of Decay settlement, the wait might soon be over.
Microsoft’s broader third-party pivot is clearly reshaping the landscape, and if Gears of War: E-Day and State of Decay 3 make the leap to PS5, it’ll signal another major step toward a truly platform-agnostic future.
We’ll be watching closely as these developments unfold. Stay tuned for updates.