Bethesda Claims Starfield Release Date Linked to PlayStation Exclusivity
Bethesda has stated that Starfield would not be launching in September if it was also being released for PlayStation 5. The studio’s upcoming sci-fi RPG will be exclusive to Xbox Series X/S and PC following Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda’s parent company ZeniMax Media.
During Microsoft’s court case against the US Federal Trade Commission, Bethesda publishing boss Pete Hines discussed the game’s console exclusivity and its impact on the release date. Hines stated that if Starfield was developed for Sony’s PS5, it would not be coming out in nine weeks.
Hines emphasized the benefits of focusing on fewer platforms, highlighting that being on more platforms would increase development time and costs, presenting a higher risk.
Xbox Game Studios head Matt Booty mentioned that if Starfield were released now, it would already have the fewest bugs compared to any previous Bethesda game.
Xbox boss Phil Spencer revealed that Starfield had an earlier release date before Microsoft acquired Bethesda and decided to delay the game, giving the team more time to work on it.
Hines also disclosed that Bethesda’s in-development Indiana Jones game is now exclusive to Xbox consoles, as Microsoft renegotiated the previous agreement with Disney after the ZeniMax acquisition.
