Phil Spencer could stop Starfield from coming to PS5 - Operation PlayStation

DASH and PAJ sit down to discuss the possibility of Phil Spencer forcing Bethesda to cut ties with other gaming platforms as hinted during the Bethesda Roundtable. This could potentially affect titles such as Starfield, Elder Scrolls VI and others from making their way to PS5.

[Jin_Sakai]

He could stop any Bethesda game from coming to PS5. Luckily he’s honoring current deals such as Deathloop. My guess is Starfield and Elder Scrolls 6 won’t be coming to PS5 which is a bummer.

[lifeisgamesok]

The hype for Starfield could have the reverse effect. That game better be great with the way some have been hyping it but yeah I would like Elder Scrolls 6 on PS5 though it's unlikely

[anubusgold]

It was said microsoft bought bethesda because sony was trying to buy a Starfield exclusive deal.

[UltraNova]

Of course it's going to be exclusive to xbox/pc it doesn't make sense spending that much money buying Bethesda otherwise.

MS is finally wise to the whole exclusivity deal.

[Sonic-and-Crash]

why we r surprised by this ?...this is the reason MS bought Zenimax to have the big games exclusive ...completely understandable and acceptable by me ...this is how competiton should work with exclusives and everyone with his preferences ....Buy PS5 for Horizon ,Bloodborne etc , Buy Xbox for Starfield , elder scrolls etc ...

[Atom666]

I'm going to make a bold prediction: Starfield will be heavily praised by one fanbase and blindly hated on by another.

Lots of insightful 0 out of 10 user reviews will be written. Lots of unknown websites will see their clickbait reviews leap to the front of N4G.

Round and round we go...

[Godmars290]

@Sonic-and-Crash:
Only that's not what MS have been saying since entering the industry.

"Exclusives don't matter"

They've bought exclusive DLC, repeatedly touted having access to multiplats first, yet have only held that exclusives are not important. This while failing to develop in house IP, needing to buy new IP not Halo Gears or Forza, studios with high profile IPs, only to then fail to continue to create new in house IPs with the "new" studios they just bought. Those studios being left to rot till they're eventually closed, their devs moved around, until - maybe - they're reformed into a new studio or totally different devs get put together under a reformed studio, work on old IPs, that - *somehow* - aren't as good as the originals.

Even if MS has changed their minds about the importance of exclusives, they have well established bad habits of which buying a formally multiplat publisher proves nothing.

[Babadook7]

Until Starfield and Elder Scrolls 6 are confirmed as Xbox console exclusive I don’t really care what hints Spencer gives.

[badz149]

I would pretty much love to see MS try this. block the game from PS consoles and make it day 1 on GP. big win for xbox

[kneon]

There's hype for Starfield? I hadn't even heard about it before today.

But as to stopping it from releasing on other platforms that will depend on what contracts were in place beforehand.

[seanpitt23]

Every Bethesda game apart from deathloop will not be coming to ps5, Microsoft needs AAA games just to be on Xbox and pc. This will shift more Xbox’s

[stefd75]

A much as I want to play Starfield and ES6 It wont make me buy an Xbox just for a few games, I made that mistake with the Xbox One S. In the end if they dont want my business then so be it. They know they could make so much money releasing those games on PS5 but i guess they aint bothered about money so much but more Gamepass subs. its ok in the end, i sure there will be other games I will play in their place.

[Bronbron92]

I don’t think that’ll happen I mean that’s a lot of money lost to making it only for Xbox

[BrettAwesome]

And Ghostwire

[BattleCat]

Honoring deals, made before the rat stole the company? There are still some rules and even Microsoft can't buy them all. If he don't "honors" the paid deals with Sony, he would have to pay much money to Sony :)

[bneals]

"Stole the company?". They paid over 7 billion for the company. You might not like the deal, but it has nothing to do with theft.

As for prior deals, Zenimax was contractually obligated to give those times exclusives so MS can't change that.

[VenomUK]

@BattleCat I get people disagreeing with opinion, but it's immature to disagree with facts. The Deathloop and GhostWire Tokyo deals are not exclusive because of a handshake, they are not remaining exclusive because of Phil Spencer's honour, they are remaining timed exclusives because of legally binding contracts.

[DJStotty]

@BattleCat

That is a fine blend of salt your sprinkling there!!!

On topic, looking forward to Starfield and ES6 on gamepass day 1 :p

[FPS_D3TH]

Luckily? Lmao it would’ve been no joke of a penalty paid to Sony should Microsoft had cancelled the contract

[alb1899]

I don't even understand why you guys are talking about that, it is not an issue and dose two won't hurt MS, they will just let flavor in your mouth of what Sony is losing. Startfield and all other games will be exclusive for PC or any Gamepass user.

[gamer7804]

Games that don’t have a current contract or isn’t an mmo will not come to PlayStation. PlayStation wouldn’t put Spider-Man on Xbox so why should Xbox do the sesame it makes no sense. Atleast is ps users will have the option to stream with gamespass

[jukins]

...so why is minecraft still getting new games and content on ps? ....

[RedDevils]

Did you stutter?

[gamer7804]

@jukins Minecraft was already an ongoing multiplayer title existing on ps4. Phil said they will continue to support games like that.

[Godmars290]

Would be amusing for MS to make them exclusive, only the games to release with typical Betheda bugs.

Of course they'd be patched out eventually since sadly that's become an accepted trend, one that Bethesda and others started no less, but still no less amusing.

[SullysCigar]

I played Oblivion, Skyrim and Fallout 4 around 3 years after each released, because I figured they'd have patched out the bugs by then.

I was wrong; Skyrim STILL has a game breaking bug meaning it can't be fully completed unless you happen to have made a particular choice earlier in the game lol

Fallout '76 was just broken beyond redemption, so I skipped it entirely.

The (presumed) timed exclusivity for ES6 will probably only be for a year, meaning it will launch in a more finished state on PS5. I'll probably not even be ready to play it at that stage, so really don't mind waiting anyway lol

[Darkborn]

He honoring a contract that he wasn't a part of. Much like the games Bethesda is currently developing. After these games come out, be ready for Bethesda games that are A and AA for game pass.

[MadLad]

Care to back up why games are low quality/budget when knowing they're coming to gamepass?

[AngelicIceDiamond]

"be ready for Bethesda games that are A and AA for game pass."

Amusing as usual what gives you that indication.

[NeoGamer232]

My take is that we should quit speculating whether it will or will not and wait for the announcements.

Personally, I think it will come to PS5. If Starfield is this close to release then in September there would've been a PS version well into development. In the past with games on developers MS have acquired the games came to their announced platforms that were in development. Psychonauts 2 is the most current example as it is coming to PS as well.

[CBaoth]

I can see points for both. Obviously no explanation needed if MS decides to keep those IPs exclusive. But if MS is indeed interested more in GP subs, I could totally see Bethesda's big games coming to PS5. Huh? What I just say? Sounds crazy. I'd laugh my arse off if MS adopts Sony's own pricepoint too. Day 1 on PS5 @ $69.99 or included free with a GP sub on XBox/PC. What a selling point - right there on the PSN store being advertised by Sony to boot. Who will the N4G Hive call out though?

Oh and I agree - worthless speculating any further till Puxatawny Phil spills the beans

[1Victor]

Could he stop the Bethesda games form going to PlayStation yes would he NO there’s contracts and clauses that would have to be fulfilled before doing so be it monetary or another game, so it’s better to let it run it’s course and evade a lot of trouble down the road. Microsoft isn’t build by nice guys, it’s build on top of their graves tho by no means is Sony any different remember big corporations only care about the money the more they can get the better

[frostypants]

He doesn't really have a choice BUT to honor existing contractual obligations.

[Guitardr85]

Meh...I realized this past week that I've always ended up playing Bethesda games on the PC anyway....ugh better modding community there bs consoles.

[CaptainHenry916]

Glad I got a PC so I can play everything. If you truly want to play Starfield just get a Series S or build a PC it's not that hard. But what's funny is Phil Spencer said exclusives don't matter 😂😂

[blacktiger]

Sony could stop thats worth hundreds of millions of dollar they have with Azure server

[XiNatsuDragnel]

If so I'm pleasant by making them exclusive now make them true exclusive that means come to Xbox only no PC.

[anubusgold]

*&^%*&^& you im playing on pc i got a 3070 so shut your mouth console peasant .

[XiNatsuDragnel]

Woah man that's hostile

[cammers1995]

Are you literally retarded?

[DJStotty]

lol "console peasant"

That made me chuckle, in regards to your comment, i am in the process of building a new PC, so i will soon be joining the PC gang.

[northpaws]

@anubusgold

I am a ps fanboy, I don't care about starfield, and I don't like Xbox. But you shut your damn month and leave us console players alone.

[Pickledpepper]

@anubusgold. Spoken like a true pc hermit geek lol. Go get a girlfriend and some fresh air.

[BrettAwesome]

@Anusgobbler
Oh...soooooo cool. A 3070... so...the 4th best card on the market. Impressive... 😂😂😂

[anubusgold]

@stevej336
i can buy 10 3090 cards im not paying over MSRP. I just bought a whole computer just to get the 3070 out of it. Im not a apple fan like you steve i dont over pay because i dont know any better like you.

[anubusgold]

@Pickledpepper I got two ex wives i got the divorce papers to prove it lol.

[anubusgold]

@BrettAwesome I can buy 3090s all day if they were at the price they launched im not helping the scalpers .

[Shiken]

@anubusgold

"I got two ex wives and the papers to prove it!"

It is like you are asking to get flamed dude...

[anubusgold]

@Shiken is your mom hot? I'll give it one more go she better cook and clean.

[DaveZero]

Lmfao

[RedDevils]

3070 is not even 4th best card on the market LMAO, shut up 3070 peasant lol

[Pickledpepper]

@anubusgold pmsl it's kind of obvious why you have 2 EX wives.
If you had paid them as much attention as you do your beloved pc then maybe, just maybe one of them may not have been an Ex

[anubusgold]

@Pickledpepper No im sure it was because they were bitches. I dont let no damn woman control me. When they stop putting out and they bitch at you i dont need em out they go. That one bitch i was only married to for 3 months she lost her mind after the wedding and i was like hell no you fake bitch im out.

[lelo2play]

Why would Microsoft do that? PC gaming isn't a direct competitor to console gaming.
Even Sony are bringing their games to PC.

[XiNatsuDragnel]

I think it goes against the idea of exclusive content plus I'm old gamer who like my console only true exclusives sorry folks.

[neutralgamer1992]

lelo2play

While you have a valid point sony so far have brought handful of older titles. I doubt they would release some of their biggest ps5 exclusives on pc. Unlike ms sony also wants to sell their box (ms do too but they make money off pc market too so they aren't only focused on xbox)

[DJStotty]

"Even Sony are bringing their games to PC."

That is not the same!!! (say all PS fanboys) /s

@neutralgamer1992

"While you have a valid point sony so far have brought handful of older titles."

Still a good few :-

https://www.pushsquare.com/...

[lonewolf10]

"I think it goes against the idea of exclusive content plus I'm old gamer who like my console only true exclusives sorry folks."

Not many of those around nowadays.

[XiNatsuDragnel]

I know right I feel so old lol

[LordoftheCritics]

It's 2021, in case you forgot.

[XiNatsuDragnel]

I don't care fam tbh I prefer the old days then all these unpolished games of 2021 so you right.

[Daeloki]

This is a ridiculous line of thought and one that only favours the companies. Developers need to move away from the whole exclusivity idea, not change former multi-platform franchises into exclusives. And gamers need to stop encouraging exclusives, and realize that more people being able to play the same game doesn't take away from your experience.

The only way I can imagine exclusivity being justified, is if it's developed specifically to utilize a certain platforms hardware. Like Astro showcasing the Dualsense controller, or the sport games on Switch. I can sorta even see how it's "safer" for developers that have always only worked for one platform, to stick with it. But going from multi-platform to exclusive to one platform is just a huge step backwards and only serves to divide gamers.

[lelo2play]

You're in the minority. You may want console exclusives to compare lists with other console fanboys (simply to fuel console wars), but Sony and Microsoft like money. Releasing a game on their console and PC makes them more money.

[LordoftheCritics]

There is nothing wrong with living in your own world, just don't merge it with reality.

[slavish0]

m$ own windows. this is like tell sony not to release their console ip on vita, they own both platforms. I dont understand fanboys. How does excluding a group make your gaming experience better? It childish and makes no business sense.

[MadLad]

Fanboys need to downplay anything the other guys are doing.
Microsoft just acquired a bunch of awsrd winning studios ready to pump out quality content, and also have a fantastic subscription service giving people easy access to it?

Well it doesn't matter because you can also play them on PC, so they don't even count. Because reasons ...

[DJStotty]

No because PC is still within Microsoft's ecosystem.

[MadLad]

They are true exclusives. They are a MS exclusive. They have vested stake in both the console space, as well as PC.
These are games you can only play on one closed platform. They are games you will only find in one part of the game section in stores. They will only be available through one company's gaming service.

The only people I see trying to downplay these games as exclusives are the "other team" trying to delegitimize that these titles are a Microsoft exclusive.
So just because it can't only be had on a console, it doesn't make them a "real" exclusive? At the end of the day, you can't play them by buying a Playstation. You can't play them by buying a Switch. You can't play them without buying into some aspect of the MS ecosystem, whether that be through the purchase of an Xbox, or downloading their storefront on PC and paying for Gamepass.

Sounds pretty "real" and "exclusive" to me.

[XiNatsuDragnel]

Lol I Guess I'm an old gen gamer who likes having an appeal to a console without considering getting a PC but hey I love PS2/GCN Days tho so yeah...

[warriorcase]

Why on earth would Microsoft limit their own ecosystem?

[Exvalos]

Guys....look the dream is over Microsoft paid 7.5 billion dollars, they didnt do that to put games on playstation, they want you in there ecosystem. I'm a Sony gamer but more importantly I'm a Bethesda fan so I know how you all feel. Be we gotta let them go or get an xbox. Choice is yours.

[ScootaKuH]

Or have a ps5 and PC. Still no real reason to buy an xbox. At least for me

[itsmebryan]

Sony said they will be bringing more "exclusives "to PC so actually there is no reason to buy a PS5 or Xbox by your logic. The PC will have the superior version of any game.

[Pricey]

Sigh it's not quite the same though is it. But you crack on if it makes you happy Bryan. Ignorance is bliss so I'm told.

[Tedakin]

MS doesn't care if you buy their Xbox. Playing their games on PC is still a win for them.

[DJStotty]

"Or have a ps5 and PC. Still no real reason to buy an xbox. At least for me"

But what if you do not currently own a PC? choices are :-

1 - Series S @ £250 (ish)
2 - Series X @ £450 (ish)
3 - Gaming PC @ £1200+ (ish)

#commonsense

[itsmebryan]

Well @ pricey
Please explain your point. Don't just make snarky comments.

[gerbintosh]

@itsmebryan

The problem with your logic is that Sony brings their exclusive games to pc years later (at least 3 years so far). MS exclusive games are day 1 on PC. So the reason to buy a PS5 is to not wait years for a game to come to PC. While me having a PC means i dont need to buy an Xbox

[gerbintosh]

@DJStotty

A gaming pc is not required for game pass or other streaming services like Stadia, Amazon Luna, or Nvidia streaming service. As long as the game being played isnt competitive multiplayer, like COD, those streaming services should work just fine for playing games

[rlow1]

True, but will you buy the games by themselves or go with Gamepass? Either way you ultimately pay Xbox.

[itsmebryan]

@gerb
Where did Sony say games will take years to come to PC? Do you have a link?

[RedDevils]

MS just make sure I don't need to get a XSX because every games they own will be on PC. So why bother it save me money lol

@Stotty who here doesn't own a PC that could run 1080p at the very least?

[anubusgold]

@DJStotty
Or buy a cheap rebuilt and upgrade it . Most pcs mostly need a new gpu, cpu , or powersupply. People have bought cheap prebuilts and put a new graphics card or cpu in it and they are gaming for 600 to 800 dollars and they arent stuck at 60 fps they are gaming at 100+ fps at 1080P or 1440P with ultra detail.

[Ninver]

Only Bethesda game I actually liked was Wolfenstein. I'm not getting an xbox for one game lol

[Highrevz]

After battlefront 2 drama there seems to be less micro transactions in games now, times have changed and that is a win for gamers.

Same with Cyberpunk, developers are more scared now then ever I would say. The internet voiced there opinions and it’s going to benefit all future games.

[Deeeeznuuuts]

Same, mine was doom, I am going to be a not gutted but like you said, not buying a system for one game.

[RedDevils]

The worst case scenario get it on PC lol

[kneon]

The only Bethesda games I played were Fallout, I gave up on that series half way through FO4 out of boredom

[Mikeyy]

PS5 and PC, do not reward them with an Xbox sale or gamepass subscription.

Give them then minimum amount of money via steam and enjoy elderscrolls 6 on pc, with mods.

[iplay1up2]

What are you talking about? Xbox has a whole mod community. Skyrim, Falout, and a ton of other games have a hundreds of mods on Xbox. It is Playstation that doesn't have mod communities.

[anubusgold]

@iplay1up2 Playstation had mods for unreal tournament 3

[RedDevils]

Bethesda's games is known to be plays on PC.

[lifeisgamesok]

I like Bethesda a little but I'm more than satisfied with what Sony has announced and for future PS5 games that will start streaming huge chunks of data through the SSD for some unbelievable games

[Highrevz]

All Bethesda games suddenly “suck” and next it will be Starfield 😂 cool

[Thundercat77]

It reminds me of how Hell Blade was hated by the Xbox community when it ws exclusive to PS4 but when it was released on Xbox, it suddenly was a master piece.

[wiz7191]

The because Hellblade is a game you have to experience it to enjoy. It’s a great game but no masterpiece though.

[Highrevz]

@Wiz7191

Spot on tbf

I can’t speak for other gamers but that’s my view on Hellblade

[anast]

True, but Starfield will probably suck even if it is a mulitplat. game. Bethesda makes dated games that feel old. I'm willing to eat my words if I am wrong, but something tells me I won't be.

[RedDevils]

It's still just an ok game, not great but not bad either.

[LoveSpuds]

I wouldn't say Bethesda developed games suck, but I cannot say that I pine for their next release either. They well and truly have gone off the boil and have a lot to prove before I start worrying that I might miss out on anything considered essential.

[Magog]

Starfield is stuck in development hell. He would be doing Playstation a favor keeping it off the system.

[Highrevz]

😂 and so it begins

[CorndogBurglar]

I haven't owned an Xbox since the 360, mainly because I saw what a crapshow the Xbone was going to be, like a lot of people. And throughout the entire generation they never did anything to make me feel like I was missing out on something.

So its nice to see that MS is finally cleaning their house and getting better. But its hysterical to me how the narrative changes with fans based on their console loyalties. You know exactly what everyone would be saying if Sony had bought Bethesda instead of MS.

[galmi]

@Highrevz

you said it 🤣🤣

[Orchard]

Source?

[Futureshark]

A lot of hype for Starfield.
However I do think a lot of it is in peoples minds, I've only seen the name and a couple of mock-up screenshots.
If anyone has a link to something concrete then that would be really interesting & helpful because at the moment it's just vapourware.

I read an interesting stat the other day, some Xbox marketing guru said that Gamepass owners pay 20% more (then I presume non-game pass owners) on average.
In other words, MS are making up their investments into GP with microtransaction purchases, which we all know are a huge market these days.
So could it be a reasonable stretch of the imagination for MS to continue to exploit this revenue further and fill each of it's new Bethesda exclusives with microtransactions up to the gills? You betcha!

[Highrevz]

Doubt.

I know it sounds weird that people are spending more but it really does turn out that way.
I’m playing more games without spending money on them first which means I find more games I like rather then not risking the purchase before trying. I’ve also brought more DLC then ever because I haven’t had to pay full price for the base game.

[CantThinkOfAUsername]

Bethesda started that microtransaction shitshow with their infamous $1 horse armour in Oblivion, a single player game. Wouldn't put it past them to reintroduce microtransactions in their games or push that Creation Club's paid mods BS they've been trying with Skyrim Special Edition and Fallout 4.

[Ninver]

When you're starved of quality games anything will seem like the coming of christ. I'm referring to this Starfield shenanigans

[Zhipp]

MS doesn't charge gamepass users for DLC with their first party titles, do they? I thought hivebusters came at no extra cost to subscribers.

[TheExecutioner]

Game Pass is the graveyard for games

[bneals]

This is the dumbest statement on here today. It's the best deal in gaming.

FULL STOP

[slavish0]

it's n4g

[TheExecutioner]

wait and you will see

[wiz7191]

Lol graveyard ??? Or you just upset your platform of choice doesn’t have the same options. Let’s face it PS now isn’t on the same level. It actually helps said game get more exposure then it would normally. Since you get to try it before you buy it lol

[Tedakin]

Sea of Thieves would have been dead in a month without Gamepass because of the rocky launch. Now we're 3 years out and they're still rolling out constant content for it, and it recently was put in the GOLD tier for the year in Steam sales. Without Gamepass it never would have been dead long before it got to Steam.

[Jin_Sakai]

I’m a PlayStation fan and I think GamePass is great. I wish Sony would do the same with PS Now.

[Orchard]

This^

Getting great games at a decent price is way more important than any form of fanboy brand loyalty. I'd love for a PS Gamepass, lots of good exclusives to put in there.

[anast]

I like this. Good work.

[Aussiesummer]

Of course he will, didn't spend all that money to share them now did he.

[Lexreborn2]

I’m not going to get hyped like others over Starfield and act like it’s a loss to other platforms. Especially, when it comes to Bethesda’s output for fallout 4, 76 and Skyrim. The quality of those titles were all hype met with mediocrity and even disappointment. Skyrim has been re-released so many times 6 could’ve launched twice in that time frame.

Doom has been the most redeeming quality of Bethesda for me. With evil within being the second, other then that the studios output for my personal interest is non-existent. And Starfield isn’t changing that with a CGI trailer with no gameplay or anything...

If they did block out potential sales for the game that would be a poor sell. As they can use as many people as they can to recoup those funds

[Zhipp]

Bethesda games have been stale because they haven't majorly revamped their engine since like 2005. Starfield will be the first game to release with what is essentially a brand new engine. That's why it's taking so long, and that's why people are hyped. It'll, in theory, finally be a step forward for Bethesda, and it'll give us a glimpse of what might be possible with ES6.

[Lexreborn2]

Either way, it’s still hyped shovelware people are trying to make out to be a second coming. I’ll give praise to what is done, not speculated. And when Bethesda makes something worth it and SHOWS it. I’ll give praise, acting as if it will shift the tides of a generation is ridiculous pandering.

[Zhipp]

It has nothing to do with shifting the tides of the generation. Hype for Starfield was along far before the MS buyout. This is about shifting the tides for Bethesda. Their games feature a certain type of sandbox that you can't really get anywhere else, but everyone knows they've been in a creative rut for a long time. Hopefully this will start to change that. Time will tell.

[cammers1995]

Unfortunate but that's how exclusives work. Really wish bethesda wasn't bought by microsoft.

[Kakashi Hatake]

Bethesda games continue to be treated like the end all be all despite not moving the needle for the last 10 years. If they do, big deal. Sony has plenty of games not coming to Xbox.

[wiz7191]

Because it not just Bethesda games , it’s everything that Zenimax owned. Bethesda also had other studios under their belt.

[DOMination-]

A quick search shows Fallout 4 sold 14 million units and Skyrim is in the top 20 biggest selling games of all time. No big deal though!

[purple101]

You forgot to all that's Across all platforms. Xbox posts the lowest numbers usually.

[Ra3v3r]

@purple101

In the case of Skyrim, the Xbox version outsold the PS4 version by over 4m copies (22.8m vs 18.4m). Fallout 4 shifted about 300,000 more copies on PS4 (15.5m vs 15.2m). So no, not across all platforms and Xbox still posting big numbers despite the difference in console units sold.

[Thundercat77]

Yes. But Phil Spencer cannot stop Playstation to keep being the market leader.

Let Phil keep trying just like he tried last Gen with everything he got.

[Tedakin]

PS will always be market leader because you're not required to own an Xbox to play Xbox games.

[Orchard]

So how many shares do you have in Sony? Otherwise, it's irrelevant to you who the market leader is.

[RedDevils]

Who care.

[Chevalier]

Probably as many as you own in Bethesda and Microsoft

[Thundercat77]

The same shares you have in Bethesda and Microsoft. You don't care about who the market leader is because Xbox is last in the market. I'm pretty sure if xbox was the market leader, you would be taking a lot about it.

[ApinaMiesMansesta]

Well, Sony has been playing this game for ages. MS has unlimited buying power and aren't even utilizing it to the fullest. PC gamers are the real winners here because this potentially means that Sony and MS are both grasping at the PC market as well.

[Thundercat77]

After all this Behtestha games coming exclusive to Xbox and PC and Playstation keeps being the market leader... What will be their next move?

[Jericho1337]

The fact that you feel the need to post the same “market leader” comment says this is actually killing you.

Do you game on PlayStation because it’s the most popular? I hope you don’t choose your favourite music like this.

[Father__Merrin]

Both starfield and elderscrolls would have been in development on ps5 for a long time. I highly doubt it is all cancelled.

[RauLeCreuset]

A lot of people are speaking with certainty about something that hasn't been confirmed. Yes, keeping it all exclusive would be an incentive to game on Xbox. I can see them leveraging the titles to attempt to get Game Pass on rival consoles. But the reason you don't see many 3rd party buyouts of this scale and nature, with the intent being more to lockout the competition from a catalog of previously multiplat franchises, is a good chunk of the value represented in the price tag for buying those 3rd parties is derived from those games being sold across multiple platforms.

It effectively devalues the purchase to buy at a price based on the worth as a multiplat only to cut off those revenue streams after acquisition. That's the normal conundrum. Xbox is in the unique position of also having to account for the erosion of the revenue stream from their own consumers by releasing those titles on Game Pass. The $$$ has to start coming in from somewhere is what I'm saying, and the easiest, most sure fire way for that to happen is to keep releasing on other consoles.

[Father__Merrin]

Just as an example fallout 4 sold 13 million on ps4 so wel have to wait and see if they release or not

[gold_drake]

to be very honest .. let xbox have them.

sony has shown us whats in store for us.
Square enix has shown us whats in store for us.
others will do the same.

i was looking forward to Starfield but quite honestly, if they're on xbox only, im not sad.

[Father__Merrin]

If starfield releases on ps5 then that will be the ultimate meltdown on n4g

[Gamer75]

Only with fanboys as normal, sane people won't care as much

[drunkenspy007]

I honestly think it would be almost a smart move. Almost, but they're going to release this for PC too. If it was xbox exclusive only, that would be incentive for so many to buy that system.

[DJStotty]

"grabs popcorn"

This should be good.....

[2moda5gamer]

Bethesda games make amazing atmosphere, the worlds really draw in. But if Starfield and ES6 still use that same engine like the last few fallout games then I'm not going to hold my breath for anything great gameplay wise. Outdated buggy messes.
This MS money might finally mean they can ditch that antique tech and come into this gen (or ES6 at least) with something truly new. Very Exciting.

[FanboysKiller]

No one knows how sony will react to future Bethesda games bypassing their platform, ms may exaggerate on worsening their contents in order to support playstation console and sony may give a bold statement on not allowing that to happen which puts them in a defensive position and leaves a huge gap in the market not in ms and b favor.

[ikarodemon]

We need to accept that is business. Bethesda is MS now, even if some games will go PS in the future will not. If you cant stand this get two consoles. Or 3 if you like Mario games too kkkk

[blacktiger]

OOOOF that's a lot of money they have to pay

[Elda]

The only Bethesda titles I bought & enjoyed were Wolfenstein,Doom 2016 & Dishonored 1&2. The Evil Within 1&2 & Rage 2 was ok. If none of these franchise future titles release on the PS5 including Starfield I have no problem with that. MS having Bethesda titles that'll be exclusive on their platform will not sway me to buy an XB or Gamepass.

[Zeref]

I need to borrow some of that positive attitude that PS fanboys who still think it will come to Playstation have.

[Abnor_Mal]

Its interesting that when I was saying similarly a few weeks ago that if the games become exclusive or not oh well thats cool. I was called salty and sour and other silly stuff. Now everyone is saying that the games will not come to PS and its silly for Sony fanboys to even expect any Zenimax games to be on PlayStation.

I'm just waiting to see what actually will happen, but I know I'm fine with how every it turns out, as I said before, this gen I will be getting 1st party exclusives and PSVR games. Any third parties will be bought most likely years later when the price has dropped to twenty dollars or less and still wait for a sale.

[chiefJohn117]

Phil gon be like "you want exclusives? Here you go!"

[MadLad]

One, we have no information if it was even coming to PS5 at all
Two, they can stop any Bethesda (and the studios under them) title from coming to it.

[waverider]

Whats strange for me is that. Microsoft just talk about betheda games/gamepass. Are they so behind with the other studios that they dont have nothing big coming this and next? Because i have huge doubts that any of those titles is coming soon. Beside CGI trailers theh havent shown nothing. Not talkiing about low budget games that dont have any impact. Big titles. For me its really Strange.

[MadLad]

There are many Microsoft exclusives currently in development; both announced and unannounced. But some of them have already been in development for years.

Bethesda is big news right now because the long acquisition process finally came to a close recently and, well, it's Bethesda. One of the biggest names in gaming, let alone the many award winning developers under their umbrella.

[anast]

Starfield most likely with be a minimum viable product like almost all other Bethesda games after the early 2000s.

[Brazz]

Starfield is not coming to ps5, if you want to play go to PC or Xbox, simple.
On another note... Making this game exclusive is kinda a "waste". I mean, they are going to sacrifice 35-45%, of the sales from +120M playstation consoles on the maket (ps4+ps5)... but i have to agree, if Xbox wants to grow on market share they will need exclusives and removing games from Playstation is, most likely, the correct move.

[DaleCooper]

All PlayStation has to do is allow Game Pass on their console, right?

[Mikehunt]

That’s good they wanna have exclusives so should Xbox.

[thorstein]

Stop the sale to almost 6 million willing customers?

He's not stupid. Why do you think he's stupid?

[MadLad]

Skyrim is one of the best selling titles of all time, sitting at over 50 million copies sold. That's spanning three generations, and several platforms.
You really think Microsoft's long term goals favors a lowly 6 million install base, of which not everyone will purchase the game, vs pushing these highly popular titles as exclusives for their gaming division?

[Tedakin]

Because by stopping the sale to those customers, he pushes them to come over into his ecosystem, which is what he wants.

[thorstein]

Most people who own a Playstation also own a home PC so the platform becomes a moot point for MS.

[lukejd1088]

...duh...

[MrSec84]

If contracts were signed to bring games to PlayStation, then they're coming to PlayStation, otherwise Microsoft would suffer a hefty legal battle, it just makes sense to ignore Bethesda's obligations.
People have to bare in mind that Starfield has been in development for years, Sony likely signed a contract for the game to come to PS4, PS5 or both years ago, same goes for possibly Switch Pro, Stadia, XBox and any other platform that can sell copies of the game, along with a bunch of other games in development at ZeniMax's studios.

[Orchard]

Developers don't "sign a contract" stating they will bring the game to any platform - unless that game is exclusive. This game was never announced as an exclusive.

Even then, with exclusivity contracts, you can typically buy your way out (but I doubt MS would do that, it would be expensive).

[MrSec84]

Of course developers and publishers sign contracts, they're business arrangements and the details have to be locked down, otherwise no one would know where they stand legally.
It likely wouldn't be for a single game, but for a bunch of games.

[Orchard]

@MrSec84 That’s inaccurate.

If the developer and the publisher are two separate companies, the publisher contract signed by the developer will dictate what platforms they need to deliver on.

The contract between Sony/Microsoft and the developer/publisher doesn’t exist for a game unless the game is exclusive. Otherwise, the only contract signed in that case is an agreement which grants the developer access to confidential development resources and dev kits etc - this contract doesn’t mention specific games or which games have to come to their platform etc. in fact most developers sign that contract once and will make games for a decade or more afterwards.

TLDR: for a Zenimax developed and published game, there is no contract between platform holders and Zenimax other than Zenimax being a registered developer - unless the game is an exclusive.

[Einhander1971]

For me personally I couldn't give a monkeys about Bethesda, none of there games really interest me.

[GrmpyolGamer]

Jeez. U guys are salty

[Tedakin]

Phil Spencer said games with no prior contracts will be exclusive. Jim Ryan said he wasn't sure if Starfield or ES6 would be on Playstation. I'd assume Jim Ryan knows whether Sony has a contract with those game or not. I assume by his answer, they don't and the games will be exclusive.

[blacktiger]

Then Sony could stop their contract with azure and I heard it's worth hundreds of millions of dollar.

[_LarZen_]

I think Starfield seeing the PlayStation version have probably been in production for a while will come to PS4/PS5 2-3 years later.

[NukeDaHippies]

Should anyone be so scared of losing whats been vapourware for years?

[Jayszen]

To be honest, Microsoft will ruin the Zenimax studios if they follow their usual pattern of running first party developers. Unless they have learnt something from Sony, I see a situation where all the promise will disappear, ruined by the usual North American Corporate Bullshit of wanting to please investors at the end of each financial year.

As for any future Zenimax games on PS5, we will get the ones that have been contracted for, such as Starfield and Ghostwire Tokyo but after that, despite anything Spencer says at the moment, Playstation will be shut out from having any more Zenimax games. I am sure Sony expects this as it is only prudent.

It is always sad when multi-platform titles are bought out and then withheld from competitors, especially where the rival has had more support for the games concerned. Sony is just going to have to suck it up and do what it is best at - new IPs and finding new developers. I think Sony will manage just fine.