Helldivers 2 is coming to Xbox Series X and S next month in a shock announcement that sees Sony publish a game on PlayStation’s rival consoles.

Arrowhead’s explosive co-op third-person shooter launches on Xbox on August 26, 2025, a livestream confirmed. Remarkably, that’s the same day Microsoft releases Gears of War: Reloaded on PlayStation 5.

In a post on Xbox Wire, Helldivers 2 Game Director Mikael Eriksson commented on what this launch means to the studio.

Helldivers 2's Cross-Platform Release: The game will be available on Xbox Series X and S on August 26, 2025, with crossplay support across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, allowing players to collaborate regardless of their platform.

Unexpected Launch on Xbox: Despite Sony typically focusing on PlayStation and PC, Helldivers 2 is releasing on Xbox, marking a rare occasion of a PlayStation Studios title coming to a rival console.

Significance of the Launch Date: The simultaneous release on Xbox and the launch of Gears of War: Reloaded on PlayStation 5 highlight a notable shift in console game publishing strategies.

Impact on Player Engagement: Helldivers 2, already a commercial success on PC and PS5 with 12 million copies sold in 12 weeks, is expected to see increased player engagement with the Xbox release.

Evolving Console Exclusivity Trends: The release of Helldivers 2 on Xbox signifies a loosening of traditional console exclusivity, with Sony and Microsoft diversifying their game offerings across competing platforms.

“We know gamers have been asking for this for some time and we are so excited to bring more Helldivers into our game,” he said. “We have so much more in store for the future months and years – and the more players we have the more stories we can tell! The fight for Super Earth has only just begun.”

Crossplay across all platforms is confirmed, which means PC, PlayStation, and Xbox players will be able to play together.

Helldivers 2 launched on PC and PS5 in February 2024 and was a rare live service smash hit for Sony. It is the fastest-selling PlayStation Studios game of all time, selling an incredible 12 million copies in 12 weeks. Helldivers 2 Confirmed for Xbox Series X and S with August Launch : r/XboxSeriesS

While player numbers on Steam, which Valve makes public, remain healthy a year-and-a-half on from the record-breaking launch, the Xbox release will no-doubt boost the player pool even further.

Still, Helldivers 2’s release on Xbox comes as a big surprise. Sony, typically, does not release PlayStation Studios games on Xbox, preferring instead to launch on PlayStation consoles only and, in an increasing number of cases, PC. MLB The Show, developed by Sony’s San Diego Studio and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, is an exception and does launch on Xbox, albiet under the MLB banner. Sony also recently released LEGO Horizon Adventures on Nintendo Switch, PS5, and PC.

Clearly, the once impenetrable walls of console exclusivity are coming down. Microsoft, which only yesterday made sweeping cuts to its gaming business as part of an eye-watering round of layoffs affecting over 9,000 staff, is all-in on PlayStation. The aforementioned Gears of War: Reloaded marks the once Xbox-exclusive series’ debut on PlayStation, Hellblade 2 hits PS5 in August, and Obsidian’s The Outer Worlds 2 releases on Sony’s console in October.

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