05 February 2024 , 17:00
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Rumours are circling that Microsoft is planning on bringing multiple titles – including Starfield – to PS5, in what reports suggests could be a multiplatform push for Xbox.
The most controversial part of Microsoft's decision to buy Bethesda back in 2020 was that upcoming Bethesda titles like Starfield and Redfall would become Xbox console exclusives – despite never being announced for PlayStation platforms in the first place. While this was a big hit to the PS5 lineup initially, both titles were released in a less-than-stellar state, with Starfield being most people's most disappointing game of 2023.
Recently, however, rumours have been circling that Microsoft is preparing to bring some of its recent exclusives to PS5, and even Nintendo Switch in some cases. The big names are Hi-Fi Rush, which was Xbox's most beloved game last year, and Sea of Thieves, which makes sense as a multiplatform game due to its live-service nature. However, it sounds like Microsoft is planning on going even further with this, as the latest rumour is that a Starfield PS5 release could be on the way after all.
XboxEra claims that Starfield could be arriving on PS5 later this year, following the release of the Starfield Shattered Space DLC expansion, with Microsoft allegedly acquiring more PS5 devkits as of late. These are, apparently, part of a new strategy for Xbox to make the return on investment higher by releasing their games on competing platforms.
Fast travel to another console
Considering Xbox Series X|S hardware sales are lagging behind the competitors, and that the company just spent almost $70billion to acquire Activision Blizzard, it would make sense that Microsoft is looking into ways for the Xbox division to make more money in the long term. Granted, I don't think this would've been the case had Starfield not been a major disappointment to fans.
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It would be a shame for Xbox hardware to go away entirely, but I'm not sure what Microsoft can do at this point. Xbox Game Pass doesn't seem like a sustainable option when every first-party exclusive game is arriving on the service on day one – Starfield allegedly cost $400million to make, and a majority of players probably didn't even pay for it. At the very least, if Xbox games come to PS5, Microsoft can claim some revenue from PS5 owners while still advertising that you can get it for 'free' with Xbox Game Pass on their systems.