You never know; it could be someone at the Xbox team who's still super-pissed at losing control of the division to higher-ups at Microsoft who are now calling the shots. Would not surprise me if a few team members (not saying Phil Spencer specifically) have a grudge against PlayStation feeling like Xbox's problems are because of Sony.
So, they do vindictive things like make up bogus rumors to spread to gullible insiders and Xbox fanboys, confident that SIE won't really comment on any of it
Perhaps, I would go with Booty personally but never say never. I also don't see anyone really going nuts with Black Myth Wukong. GTA 6, sure, okay but Wukong? Nah. Wukong was always going to do it's best on PC especially and now obviously in China which while the PC aspect would benefit Microsoft, I doubt that anyone would have bought the game on Xbox or the console for that matter if it was day one everywhere. I would think that if Phil has a grudge or anything, it would be against Nadella because he gave him total control in late 2017 and didn't even let Phil finish out this generation and see what happens.
Even with COD being multi-platform, my belief was always, reset and rebuild everything this generation and have everything setup and ready to go for next generation. In other words, sacrifice this generation in order to get off to an amazing start next generation. Rumors have it that Microsoft will launch their next console in Fall 2026 (and yes, I do believe they will) in order to have their own space, two years before PlayStation 6 and probably 18 months or so after Switch 2. Launch a top tier console spec wise along with an Xbox portable along side it. Not a hybrid but two individual units.
Launch with Gears of War: E-Day, Perfect Dark and obviously Call of Duty 2026, all day one on Game Pass. I believe that they would have gotten off to a great head start because people love new hardware especially when it kicks off the next generation. The biggest issue Microsoft has in regards to Xbox, they never see their vision all the way through and pivot when they shouldn't as well as the fact that they never shut up, shoot themselves in the foot constantly and the only consistency they have is being inconsistent.
But whatever, at this point, all I care about are their games, if I want to play them which I do (15 out of 21) and if they're good or better for me personally. Microsoft does this and keeps all the benefits I have intact, I won't be going anywhere and will be a very happy Xbox gamer!!