Bethesda Game Studios, renowned for their beloved titles such as Skyrim and Fallout 4, has ventured into uncharted territory with Starfield. This next-generation role-playing game transports players to a universe brimming with sci-fi archetypes, from space opera and first-contact scenarios to cyberpunk and cosmic horror.
The gaming world is eagerly awaiting the full release of this title on September 6th, 2023. Bethesda has dedicated years to the development of Starfield, fueling high expectations for immersive gameplay and unraveling the mysteries hidden among the stars.
For PlayStation enthusiasts, who may have assumed that Starfield would follow the path of Bethesda's previous franchises like the Elder Scrolls and Fallout, there's a disappointing revelation: Starfield won't be available on PlayStation consoles.
Starfield is slated for an exclusive launch on Xbox Series X | S and PC, a confirmation made by Aaron Greenberg. The official Starfield gameplay reveal trailer echoes this, listing the platforms as Xbox Series X | S, PC, and even Cloud gaming, Xbox Game Pass, and Steam.
So, why isn't Starfield coming to PS5?
It's an undeniable disappointment that such a highly anticipated and exceptional game won't be available on all platforms. At one point, there were reports of Starfield being in development for the PS5. However, that all changed when Microsoft acquired Bethesda, making Starfield an Xbox-exclusive title.
In 2021, Microsoft purchased ZeniMedia, the parent company of Bethesda, for a staggering $7.5 billion, effectively making them a subsidiary of Xbox Game Studios. Consequently, all future releases from ZeniMedia and Bethesda are exclusively tied to Xbox gaming consoles.
Interestingly, there could have been a different outcome. According to Xbox's Phil Spencer, during an FTC hearing about the Microsoft-Activision deal, there were hints that Sony might have been planning to secure exclusivity for Starfield on PlayStation. However, Microsoft's acquisition of ZeniMax put an end to any hopes of a PS5 or PS4 release for Starfield.
While there's always a slim chance that Starfield may eventually find its way to the PS5, it's important to note that there's no concrete evidence to support this possibility.
