Back in 2020, Xbox boss Phil Spencer said that the exclusivity of future Bethesda games would be decided on a case-by-case basis, but it’s been generally accepted by most since then that heavy-hitters like Starfield and The Elder Scrolls 6 are going to release exclusively for Xbox and PC (with the former obviously confirmed at this point). However, it seems like The Elder Scrolls 6 might end up being a multiplatform title after all.
As pointed out by Axios’ Stephen Totilo on Twitter, last December, Microsoft layers said that they had three games developed by ZeniMax studios in the pipeline that were set to release exclusively for PC and Xbox. At the time, it was assumed that in addition to two confirmed exclusives – Redfall and Starfield – that also included The Elder Scrolls 6.
Last week, however, a Microsoft representative said that the plan now was for two more upcoming ZeniMax titles to skip PlayStation (presumably Starfield and Redfall). That’s notable, of course, because in January, Microsoft shadow-dropped Tango Gameworks’ Hi-Fi Rush for Xbox Series X/S and PC. In light of that, speculation now seems to be suggesting that The Elder Scrolls 6, whenever it releases, might not end up skipping PlayStation after all. Microsoft has also declined to comment on the same.
Of course, that’s not concrete evidence by any means. There’s a good chance that Microsoft’s public statements about upcoming exclusive releases pertain only to games set to launch in the near future, which The Elder Scrolls 6 definitely isn’t. With The Elder Scrolls franchise’s massive player base across all platforms, including PlayStation, it would make some sense for Microsoft to release it as a multiplatform game, but given how far into the future its release is, it would be best not to take anything as being set in stone just yet.
Last week, a Microsoft lawyer said the company currently plans for two upcoming ZeniMax games to be Xbox/PC-exclusive (no PlayStation).
But in December, Microsoft lawyers said "three future titles" from ZeniMax would go Xbox/PC-only
Some thoughts about what this indicates: pic.twitter.com/0jX0eCEQQX
— Stephen Totilo (@stephentotilo) March 7, 2023
…which is why I assumed that ESVI was one of the three games Microsoft cited in December.
But if Hi-Fi Rush was one… then either Redfall, Starfield, or ESVI hasn't been internally designated as an Xbox/PC exclusive yet?
Microsoft declined to clear this one up for me, alas
— Stephen Totilo (@stephentotilo) March 7, 2023
