Enthusiasm grew earlier this year when Bethesda Game Studios launched the title officially known as Starfield. Given the fact that starfield has been announced as the first new intellectual property (IP) from the studio in more than a quarter-century. It was task with creating a ginormous space epic. It should be rightfully compare to franchises like The Elder Scrolls and Fallout. But for PlayStation fans, a burning question quickly emerged: did Starfield PS5 release or did it not?
As of now, however, the answer to this would have to be negative: Starfield is an Xbox and PC game, and, at least for the time being and likely even in the foreseeable future. It does not look like PlayStation 5 owners will be getting their hands on a copy of this game. As we explain in this article, there are a number of reasons why this is the case, and we’ll delve into the underlying factors. They have potentially contributed to the exclusivity of this particular privilege for PlayStation fans.
Bethesda’s Relationship with Microsoft: The Key to Exclusivity
In September 2020, one of the biggest moves in gaming history took place. Microsoft bought the company that owns Bethesda through a $7.5 billion acquisition. With this acquisition Microsoft got full ownership of Bethesda’s gaming library as well as famous franchises such as The Elder Scrolls, Fallout and Doom. It also appreciated them owning Starfield, which was also under production at the time the deal close.
Ever since this purchase, people began wondering about what would happen to other games that Bethesda had in its pipeline; none more so than Starfield. In the past, Bethesda was surprisingly diverse, and while many of its games were on PlayStation and Xbox. Microsoft may now have more exclusives—especially since Microsoft needs more first-party titles for Xbox and its subscription service, Xbox Game Pass.
Despite this, fans still kind of assumed that Starfield could still be headed to PlayStation, even in the months after the acquisition. However, in June 2021, Xbox head Phil Spencer confirmed what many had feared. Like sane company inception, Starfield would be an Xbox and PC only game. When Spencer was asked about this, he said that it was about creating value for Xbox Game Pass as well as making Xbox platform stronger for the next generation of gaming.
How Microsoft, can benefit due to the Concept of Exclusivity?
There is nothing more familiar in the gaming industry than the exclusivity principle, which is especially relevant to platform owners. Sony has famously cultivated PlayStation exclusives including The Last of Us, God of War, and Spider-Man for the PlayStation 4 and 5. This have propelled said consoles in the sales charts for the last ten years. As for the exclusive games, Microsoft seems to always have issues with them. They also relying more on third-party games in the past.
However, through the acquisition of Bethesda, Microsoft was able to obtain a chunk of some of the most popular gaming companies. These terms let the company to strengthen its cone substantially. Thus making Xbox more appealing to occasional players and hardcore RPG enthusiasts.
In the same regard, Starfield decision made by Microsoft to remain its exclusive platform for Xbox and PC is strategic. Thus, they plan to increase its sales and, in particular, lure more customers to join the Xbox Game Pass. They has become crucial for the firm’s gaming business. Simply put, for a subscription fee, Game Pass subscribers get a title for a fixed amount of time, along with PCs capable of running all the titles, including Starfield.
Removing Starfield from PS5 also aids in Microsoft construction of an identity for the platform and distinguishing it from PlayStation. Since RPGs are the genres that have been largely associate with PlayStation due to Final Fantasy and The Witcher.
Will Starfield PS5 Ever Launch?
And even though the current prognosis does not look brightest for PlayStation lovers in search of Starfield. The gaming industry is certainly capable of sending out a few dizzying whiplash moments. Some gamers have assumed that it’s still in the works. It could show up on the PS5 as a timed exclusive possibly. In this case, the game would be console exclusive to Xbox a certain number of years before it comes to PlayStation.
But, currently this is not happening for Starfield and there is not much indication for showing that it will occur in future. Speaking in numerous interviews, Phil Spencer has been rather straightforward on the fact that the game is intended to be at the core of what Xbox has to offer.
There are also legal and financial factors to be look at as well as several others as explain next. Microsoft recently purchased Bethesda for billions with the idea that its game IPs would only help bolster the Xbox ecosystem. To allow a major game such as Starfield PS5 would counteract that investment and dampen the firm’s competitive advantage on Sony.
With that being said, it is always tender that things might shift. Microsoft may someday choose that it is much more lucrative to make the game Starfield PS5 available on other platforms than a Microsoft exclusive. For instance, if Game Pass grows into something enormous and Microsoft feels comfortable within that position. They may try to release Starfield PS5 on PlayStation in order to sell as many copies as possible. Alas, this remains all conjecture, and for now, we should not expect it from PS5 players
How Starfield PS5 Affects PlayStation Gamers?
It is not going to be available on PS5 for sure and this has to be a rather upsetting fact for many PlayStation users. Bethesda has a long history with PlayStation, and titles like The Elder Scrolls V. Many gamers considering desktop and notebook computer played Skyrim and Fallout 4 on the platform. A lot of people that enjoyed these RPGs on the PS4 were anticipating the ability to carry on to Starfield.
Of course, the loss of Starfield exclusivity hurts. It really has to said that PlayStation will still have many first-party games. Games like Horizon Forbidden West, God of War: Both Ragnarök and the next Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 are PlayStation exclusives and both games boast of grand and ambitious designs. Furthermore, Sony has sustained strong investment in both internal development teams. So even without starfield, PS5 player would have a lot to look forward to.
We should also note that PlayStation hosts multiple third-party RPGs such as Final Fantasy XVI, Baldur’s Gate 3 and more. Either are exclusive or priorities Sony’s console. As a result, the lack of Starfield is painful. Sony has a lot to offer fans of the genre from other parts.
Conclusion
Currently, at least, Starfield PS5 is expect to release only on Xbox and PC. There are no concrete plans towards a existence. The recent decision of Microsoft to acquire Bethesda and Starfield PS5 localization inside Xbox speaks of how competitive today’s video game industry is, and how essential exclusivity can be to the survival of the platform.
Of course, PlayStation fans are sure to be disappointed, but the gaming industry as a whole continues to be very diverse. There is a vast number of exclusive games for both platforms. And who knows? Looking at the unpredictability of the Gaming industry, maybe one day the planets will align. We will see Starfield PS5. For the time being, fans of PlayStation 5 will have to turn their attention for their next RPG fix elsewhere.