An apparentStarfieldleak involving the PlayStation logo suggests that a PS5 release for the RPG may well be imminent. The Bethesda-developed game launched exclusively for Xbox and PC in 2023, but with Microsoft signaling a new direction in its platform strategy, the company’s exclusive games may find new life elsewhere.
Keen-eyed Reddit userDollar99Man(viaEurogamer) spotted that a listing forone of Bethesda’s newStarfieldCreations included the PlayStation logoalongside PC and Xbox in the official library forStarfieldmods. The Creation has since been removed. Microsoft Gaming CEO has not denied thatStarfieldcould come to other platforms, and this apparent leak appears to be a piece of evidence that the game could be bound for PS5.
Starfield On PS5 Was Inevitable, Fans Say
Not Everyone Will Be Pleased
Within the Xbox fan community,there are a lot of mixed reactions about a potentialStarfieldPS5 port,especially as Microsoft hasn’t been all too subtle about the possibility. Many fans long assumed that the game would soon be coming to PlayStation consoles, withJicamaNo7218commenting: “well, it was obvious.“That doesn’t mean everybody in the community is thrilled, as some view Microsoft’s move away from exclusive games as the final nail in the coffin for Xbox.
Starfield On PS5 Will Have An Edge Over Xbox Series X In At Least One Way
The PlayStation 5 has a distinct advantage over the Xbox Series X/S, which could make Bethesda’s Starfield a far more immersive experience.
While players seem to be generally thrilled that the game could now be accessible across platforms, especially with apromising upcoming year forStarfield, Xbox fans could consider this a negative for their platform of choice. To hardcore Xbox players, thelack of console-selling titles might incentivize them less to support the Xbox brand at all.With PC and PlayStation delivering the same experiences, the gaming industry could radically shift.
Starfield Coming To PS5 Fits Xbox’s New Mission
Xbox Moves Away From Exclusivity
In the same interview in which Spencer was vague about the continued exclusivity ofStarfield, he further indicated that Microsoft was moving away from exclusivity. Spencer even commented that keeping games off other platforms “doesn’t work,“and Microsoft has been leaning toward a multi-platform approach for the future of Xbox while pushing Game Pass to be the main selling factor rather than the consoles themselves. This is a big and controversial change, as it would certainly see fewer consumers interested in picking up an Xbox on the whole.
Xbox also has a rumored handheld devicedue to release down the line, perhaps looking to solidify the change in how players will enjoy their games. Rather than needing an Xbox console,a handheld would make the wide-spanning library of Game Pass gemseasily available for all types of players anywhere they go. But without exclusives likeStarfieldto encourage them not to pick up other consoles or handhelds, the future of Xbox seems to hang in the balance.
