Starfield, the highly anticipated game from the creators of The Elder Scrolls and developers of Fallout, is set to be the biggest launch for Xbox this year. With its immersive experience and promise of special moments on each planet, fans are eagerly awaiting its release on September 6 for Xbox Series X | S and PC, where it will also be available on Xbox Game Pass.
However, some users may be wondering why Starfield won't be published on PS5. The answer is quite simple: Microsoft, which acquired the Zenimax Media conglomerate, including Bethesda Softworks, in 2021, now has full control over the release of its games across different platforms. In the case of Starfield, Microsoft has chosen to keep it exclusive to their ecosystem.
This exclusivity deal was not always the case. During the trial between the United States Federal Trade Commission and Microsoft for the purchase of Activision Blizzard, the head of the Xbox division, Phil Spencer, revealed that there were indications suggesting Starfield could have been an exclusive for PS5. This was based on previous collaborations between Bethesda and PlayStation on games like Deathloop and Ghostwire: Tokyo.
One of the pivotal decisions made by Microsoft during the consolidation of Xbox Game Pass was to make all of its internally produced games available on the subscription service from their release day. This commitment has seen popular titles like Halo Infinite, Gears 5, and Forza Horizon 5 included in the service. And now, Starfield will join this lineup, allowing players to preload the game and start playing from its launch day.
In conclusion, the reason Starfield won't be released on PS5 is due to Microsoft's ownership of Zenimax Media, giving them the exclusive control over the game's release. Xbox Game Pass subscribers will have the opportunity to enjoy the highly anticipated title from day one, further cementing the service's commitment to delivering a diverse and extensive catalog of games.
Definitions:
– Xbox Game Pass: A subscription service offered by Microsoft that provides access to a library of games for a monthly fee.
– Zenimax Media: A subsidiary of Microsoft that owns Bethesda Softworks and other game development studios.
Source: Original article based on the main points from an unnamed source article.