Exclusive: The Elder Scrolls 6 Confirmed for PC and Xbox, PlayStation Fans Express Concerns

According to official court documents, The Elder Scrolls 6 is set to launch exclusively on PC and Xbox, effectively ruling out a PlayStation version of the game. This decision has been a source of concern for PlayStation fans since Microsoft's acquisition of Bethesda, and although official responses have been somewhat evasive, it appears that the plan, for now, is to keep the game within the PC and Xbox ecosystem.

The announcement of The Elder Scrolls 6 dates back to E3 2018, where Bethesda unveiled nothing more than a logo and the confirmation that the game was in development. Fast-forward five years, and The Elder Scrolls 6 remains a distant prospect, with Bethesda's recent focus on the ambitious open-world sci-fi RPG, Starfield, which is set to receive ongoing support through updates and DLC.

While information about The Elder Scrolls 6 is likely to be scarce in the coming years, Microsoft's responses during the FTC vs. Microsoft case have brought to light key details. According to the revelations shared by Stephen Totilo on Twitter, The Elder Scrolls 6 is currently slated for release on PC and Xbox, with a launch date not expected until 2026 or later. A chart of Bethesda-published games was included in the response, emphasizing that Ghostwire: Tokyo and Deathloop found their way to PlayStation, and titles like Fallout 76 and The Elder Scrolls Online continue to receive support on PlayStation even after the acquisition. The chart further lists Starfield, Redfall and The Elder Scrolls 6 as PC and Xbox exclusives.

Although this evidence strongly suggests The Elder Scrolls 6 won't make it to PlayStation consoles, there's a glimmer of hope. Phil Spencer, Head of Xbox, previously indicated that the platforms for Elder Scrolls 6 have yet to be finalized. Given the substantial PlayStation player base for Elder Scrolls titles, making the game exclusive to Xbox would be a significant financial decision. On the other hand, securing exclusivity could potentially drive sales for Xbox consoles and Game Pass.

Notably, Starfield has already had a positive impact on Xbox console sales, despite not being an established franchise like The Elder Scrolls. This raises the possibility that The Elder Scrolls 6, when it eventually arrives, could have an even more substantial effect. However, given the game's distant release date, it remains uncertain whether it will target current-generation consoles or focus on next-generation platforms.