Almost a year on from Stray's console exclusive launch on PlayStation, it seems that exclusivity may well be coming to an end. Annapurna's cat game was recently rated for Xbox, implying those of you who exclusively do your console gaming on PlayStation's rival platform will likely be able to experience Stray soon too.
First spotted by MACOS380, and reported by Eurogamer, the ESRB has given Stray an E for Everyone 10+ rating, pointing to its fantasy violence and animated blood as the reasons behind its decision. No major spoilers here for those yet to play Stray, but while you probably won't lose many of your feline friend's nine lives during your playthrough, you can be attacked by these creepy little mice, ergo the fantasy violence.
In turn, a UV light you acquire can be used to make those mice explode, and while the liquid inside them isn't red, the ESRB certainly seems to believe its blood.
As for when exactly Stray will be available on Xbox, there has been no mention of a release date just yet. Stray launched on PlayStation on July 19, 2022, so its first anniversary, or shortly after that, seems like the most likely spot for Stray to arrive on Xbox.
There's also no mention of whether Stray will be on Game Pass, although that seems likely. Stray launched on PlayStation shortly after its PS Plus revamp, making the cat game free on day one for those subscribed to Extra and Premium. Not a trend PlayStation has continued when it comes to new games with Tchia being one of the few titles to come since that has received the same treatment.
Xbox is a lot more liberal when it comes to giving away new games as a part of its subscription service, so it feels like a title that has already been available for a year elsewhere is almost definitely going to get the Game Pass treatment. Xbox needs a win in that regard right now after the rocky launch of Redfall, although its Game Pass numbers would suggest making it available through the subscription service may well be the vampire game's saving grace if there is one.
Stray could be a welcome distraction for Game Pass subscribers as the road to Starfield continues. The pressure to be a game of the year contender has grown massively since Redfall's arrival. There's every chance Starfield nails the assignment and all is forgiven for the somewhat barren couple of years Xbox owners have had waiting for exclusives. One of the devs working on Starfield clearly thinks it will be having already had something from the game tattooed onto their body. Something they're not yet allowed to show off since it's technically a spoiler.