In a recent interview, Squanch Games CEO Mike Fridley explained why High on Life 2 will not be an Xbox exclusive. Although the first installment of the shooter was initially released on Microsoft consoles, the project achieved its greatest commercial success on PlayStation. Fridley also noted that after the price increase for Xbox Game Pass subscriptions, the number of users on the service declined.

Why High on Life 2 Is Launching on Multiple Platforms

In recent years, exclusive games from third-party studios for Xbox have become increasingly rare. Unlike the first game, High on Life 2 will be available not only on Xbox, but also on PS5 and PC as early as February 15. According to Fridley, the decision to focus on PlayStation was driven by the fact that the majority of original game sales occurred on Sony consoles, with Steam coming in second. This made PlayStation the main platform for Squanch Games.

Marketing Savings and Audience Expansion

Launching the game simultaneously on multiple platforms allowed the studio to reduce marketing expenses, as there was no need to run separate, costly advertising campaigns for each system.

The Role of Xbox Game Pass and the Impact of Price Increases

High on Life 2 will once again be available on Xbox Game Pass on release day. Fridley highlighted the advantages of the subscription service, which helps introduce the game to a wider audience. However, he also pointed out that publishers need to consider the "sales cannibalization" effect, where some potential buyers prefer to play via subscription rather than purchase the game outright.

The studio head added that after the recent Game Pass price hike, the service has become less attractive to users, and the number of subscribers has slightly decreased. In his opinion, gamers who have canceled their subscriptions are now more likely to buy the game on PS5 or PC.

Declining Developer Interest in Xbox

The situation is further complicated by Microsoft releasing many former Xbox exclusives, such as Fable, on other platforms, which negatively affects console sales. According to a survey at the Game Developers Conference, only 20% of developers are currently interested in supporting Xbox, which is significantly lower than the interest in PC, PS5, and Switch 2.

What’s New in High on Life 2

The sequel promises more dynamic combat and the ability to interact with your weapons. Nintendo Switch owners will have to wait until April 20 to try out the new game features.