Squanch Games will not release High on Life 2 as an Xbox exclusive, its chief executive said, citing stronger performance of the original title on rival platforms and shifting dynamics in the subscription market.
The first-person shooter sequel will launch on Xbox Game Pass on its release date, continuing the studio’s partnership with Microsoft’s gaming platform. However, CEO Mike Fridley said expanding beyond Xbox consoles reflects where demand has been strongest, noting that the original game achieved its greatest commercial success on PlayStation.
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Fridley acknowledged the advantages of subscription services in broadening exposure but warned of trade-offs. He said that “cannibalization of sales” is a factor publishers must weigh when launching titles on Game Pass, as some players may opt to access a game through a subscription rather than purchase it outright.
He also suggested that recent price increases to Game Pass may have reduced its appeal. “With recent subscription increase on Game Pass, I’m sure they’ve probably seen subscriber numbers go down a bit,” Fridley said, adding that players who cancel memberships could instead purchase the game on platforms such as PlayStation 5 or PC.
The comments come amid broader shifts in the console market, with Microsoft bringing former exclusives like Fable to additional platforms and industry surveys indicating declining developer interest in Xbox consoles compared with PC, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo’s next-generation systems. High on Life 2 is set to introduce faster-paced combat and expanded interactions, including conversations with its signature talking weapons, with a later release planned for Nintendo players in April.
Source: TechRadar