A new document released as part of the legal case between the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Microsoft has provided some interesting insights into the future of the highly anticipated game, The Elder Scrolls VI. It confirms what many had suspected: the game will not be launching anytime soon, and it will not be available on PlayStation.
According to the document, which was produced by Microsoft for the FTC, The Elder Scrolls VI is not expected to be released until at least 2026. This aligns with comments made by a Microsoft lawyer during the court case. It seems that fans of the franchise will have to wait several more years before they can finally get their hands on the highly anticipated game.
Furthermore, the document revealed that The Elder Scrolls VI will follow in the footsteps of Bethesda’s recent releases, such as Starfield and Redfall. It will be available on both PC and Xbox platforms, continuing the trend of Microsoft making their games accessible to players on multiple platforms.
The issue of exclusivity has also been addressed by Xbox head Phil Spencer in an interview with GQ. In discussing the inclusion of The Elder Scrolls VI on Xbox, Spencer emphasized the importance of delivering a complete experience to players. He stated, “In order to be on Xbox, I want us to be able to bring the full complete package of what we have. And that would be true when I think about Elder Scrolls VI.”
While this confirms the exclusivity of The Elder Scrolls VI to Xbox and PC, it is a significant departure from the previous approach taken by Bethesda, which had released its games on multiple platforms, including PlayStation. This change in strategy is not surprising given Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda and its focus on bolstering its Xbox platform. The company aims to create a compelling ecosystem for players by providing exclusive content and experiences on Xbox and PC.
The decision to make The Elder Scrolls VI exclusive to Xbox and PC raises questions about the future relationship between Microsoft and PlayStation. The two gaming giants have traditionally competed fiercely in the console market, with Sony’s PlayStation dominating the previous generation. Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda and its subsequent exclusivity deals may be an attempt to strengthen the Xbox platform and gain a competitive edge over PlayStation.
However, it is worth noting that Microsoft has not completely ruled out the possibility of releasing future Bethesda games on PlayStation. In an interview with Kotaku last year, Phil Spencer stated, “I don’t want to be flip about that. This deal was not done to take games away from another player base like that.” This suggests that while The Elder Scrolls VI may be exclusive to Xbox and PC, future Bethesda titles could still make their way to PlayStation.
The announcement of The Elder Scrolls VI’s release timeline and platform exclusivity has sparked mixed reactions among fans. While Xbox and PC players are undoubtedly excited about the prospect of enjoying the game on their preferred platforms, PlayStation owners may feel left out. The exclusivity of such highly-anticipated titles can be a source of disappointment for fans who had hoped to experience them on their chosen platforms.
In conclusion, the document released as part of the FTC vs. Microsoft case has confirmed that The Elder Scrolls VI will not be launching until at least 2026 and will be exclusive to Xbox and PC. This strategic move by Microsoft aligns with its efforts to strengthen the Xbox platform and create a compelling gaming ecosystem. While it may disappoint PlayStation players, there is still a possibility that future Bethesda titles could be released on PlayStation. The exclusivity of highly-anticipated games like The Elder Scrolls VI continues to generate discussions and debates among gaming enthusiasts.