Bethesda's Todd Howard on Leaving PlayStation Behind: Being Able to Focus Will Make for Better Games

Bethesda's Todd Howard commented on leaving PlayStation behind. According to him, being able to focus will make for better games.

[Christopher]

Better Games > Respecting Fans

Just accept it for what it is. Nothing you can say will come off as other than obviously leaving fans on a platform (possibly two with Switch) behind after supporting them for so long.

[Alexious]

I think of it more as looking at the upsides of the deal. Of course, creators would always like the games to be available on all platforms, but focusing on less platforms does bring some inevitable benefits.
Plus, I have a feeling that Game Pass will eventually pop on other platforms.

[Christopher]

My point is you can't obviously do that. There's nothing you can do or say that erases what you did to get that.

And, this is Todd Howard. He had a lot of say in the move to Xbox. It's not some senior engineer or random designer. So, we can't act like he would always like the game to be available on all platforms when he had that and they were making a lot of money doing just that.

Maybe all the Skryim port memes got to him?

[DaveZero]

It's beggining to get really strong that other platforms such as Nintendo and playstation may not be able to say no to the business it could bring.

[Christopher]

***Why would this even matter to him? He doesn't give a fuck what happens to PlayStation and Nintendo. His point of view is the sooner they go out of business the more money he can make.***

You do know this is Todd of Bethesda, right? The guy who has made more money off of Playstation for many of their PS4/XBO games, including ESO where they make the most money?

And, you're also admitting that he doesn't care at all about his fans, which is my point?

***It's beggining to get really strong that other platforms such as Nintendo and playstation may not be able to say no to the business it could bring.***

Nintendo prints money faster than Microsoft and Sony in the gaming arena. And, Microsoft can put their games on more platforms any time they want just like Nintendo and Sony. No one is stopping them.

[darthv72]

Bethesda has had a longer working relationship with MS than they have with Sony. And now that relationship is a partnership. Partnerships come with decisions that many may not like but they have to accept.

[FPS_D3TH]

I’ve been saying it forever now game pass will be on PlayStation in 2-3 years

[neomahi]

Developers are always going on about having as many gamers as possible play their games and thats their justification for going multiplatform and timed exclusive deals. This negates ALL of that and shows you its B.S. that it really is all about money, not about consumers. Its about picking as many pockets as usual because if developers are about reaching as many customers as possible, then stuff like this wouldnt happen so, no

[ABizzel1]

I think in these situations just being honest, direct, and moving past it is the best answer. Don't BS people like they're dumb, but say look we were bought out from our parent company, and that's that.

[camel_toad]

Yeh you have to look at Studios like Naughty Dog and Insomniac just to name a couple. If they originally had to make their games for xbox, PC and Playstation the quality of their games would have undoubtedly taken a hit.

It takes a LOT of time and resources when you're talking simultaneous releases across multiple consoles and PC. That's time that could instead go to fine tuning things.

I think Bethesda may actually end up with an increase in quality from all of their studios. And hopefully less bugs!

[jukins]

Lol Todd howard had no say in move to xbox...not saying he was agaibst it but microsoft bought zenimax which owned bethesda. Howard wasnt a board member he is only boss of bethesda..

[DOMination-]

Bethesda had a patchy record with PlayStation support in the past anyway.

[strifeblade]

Nahh Sony won't ever allow game pass to come on its system and will make their own game pass before they let Microsoft touch their system

[NecrumOddBoy]

This is about money ($7.5bil) more than fans or better games or whatever nonsense Howard is spewing. It is what it is for sure so good luck. I do not like the Xbox ecosystem so I may play these on PC if they are really that good. Personally, seeing a company buy up studios instead of creating their own is a sheer kick to the face of gamers worldwide.

[MadLad]

Every one of the big three both acquire 3rd/2nd party devs, as well as build their own in house.

It's not just a MS thing.

Sony does it.
Nintendo does it.
MS just happened to make a big a acquisition and it made a wave in the game industry.

[DaveZero]

And Sony never did this..

Your post tries to make ms a villain the usual BS around here.

I don't see how a company buying developers up or making there own studios is a kick in the teeth to gamers. This is an ever evolving industry and Sony at some point will buy some up, I bet we don't hear these comments from you then.

[wiz7191]

I mean Sony just bought insomniac, it wasn’t a studio they built up. Just like Sony Bend was 989 studios in the past, Sony bought them. Studios are bought and rebranded all the time by bigger publishers. How are you upset because Microsoft buy studios ??? Lol or is it that your upset Microsoft bought Bethesda ?? If Sony had the opportunity best believe the would of did the exact same thing.

[wiz7191]

Lol what’s even more hilarious Sony biggest studio “Naughty Dog” was also a studio that was bought not built from the ground up. As well Guerilla Games, Media Molecule, and Sucker Punch. Y’all Sony fanboys are delusional

[wiz7191]

Lol damn y’all hurt by the truth or nah ???
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/...

I think it’s the Bethesda thing lol y’all have so many other exclusives that y’all brag about all the time, why can’t y’all play them instead since it’s sooo many.

[wiz7191]

@Necrum you don’t like the Xbox ecosystem but you’ll buy into the same ecosystem that the Xbox is basically based on lol ..

[darthv72]

@erratic... so you dont think Bethesda made the "vast majority" of their games for PC (DOS/Windows)? Doom started on PC, Wolfenstein started on PC, Fallout started on PC, Elder Scrolls started on PC.

[DiRtY]

„Ido not like the Xbox ecosystem so I may play these on PC if they are really that good.“

Ehm, who will tell him?

[Zeref]

You can play these games on your phone and PC.

It's not like you lost access to these games. Unless you don't have a phone? Or a PC? It doesn't even need to be a gaming PC you could stream it..

Unlike when Playstation or Nintendo acquires someone who lock their games to the console.

Anyone can play an Xbox game.

[imtiyaz6]

This is basic false equivalency. None of Sony’s ips were ever on MS consoles. Uncharted, Ratchet, Infamous, Spiderman wouldn’t have existed if Sony didn’t sanction the game. Nobody is complaining about Halo and Gears, which were both third party exclusives btw, because they were games sanctioned by MS. Sony literally developed their studios by investing in the games they made. ES, Fallout, Doom, Dishonoured are historically Multiplatform titles. MS had no hand in making these IPs. Instead of making new IPs, all they are doing now is making sure they’re not available in other platforms anymore, which is anti-consumerism.

[OG_TK_Cole]

Stop!! because both Microsoft and Sony have brought other Development Studios. Its called business. I can tell by a lot of the comments some of you guys make on this message board, than you really dont live life on life's terms. Its really kind of creepy it you stand back and look at it.

Your way to old to be this Naive on how the world works. And when you dont get your way, or things dont play out how you think they should, you do stuff, like send a DM to a developer and threaten them, or go to Review sites and leave bad Reviews without even playing the game.

This generation of Gamers are just a bunch of weirdo's. MAN UP SHIT!!!!

[bleedsoe9mm]

Like Sony buying Naughty Dog, Sucker Punch and Insomniac

[brewin]

Lol you clearly haven't been gaming long enough to remember how Sony bought their way into the industry 🤣🙈 take your fanboy goggles off

[DarXyde]

I think when you watch the show, it was painfully clear that Microsoft needed to make that acquisition. Without Bethesda, it would have been a typical Microsoft E3—to me, that would be extremely disappointing with Forza Horizon 5 being the only thing of worth to me (Yakuza too, but I already own those on PlayStation, so not really). Zenimax was clearly something they needed. The show would've been a disaster otherwise.

Granted, I don't play Bethesda games. At all. Have never seen the appeal, but I also don't like FPS games (I do make exceptions for horror though). Not into Fallout or Elder Scrolls. Not into iD Software either, and as an FPS, of course I don't care for Doom. Not to say they're bad, but they're not for me. They are very popular so I expect people to really be rallying behind a lot of this—I don't blame Xbox gamers for being excited.

All of that being said, Howard talking about making better games is quite laughable. Bethesda is bloody notorious for their buggy messes. I can say that because I don't play Bethesda games and that is almost all I hear about (and have observed from gameplay clips). These are not isolated incidents— this is common and alarmingly characteristic of Bethesda. When they were their own people, they had some *outrageous* ideas about how to gouge consumers with Fallout 76, and he thinks being under Microsoft's umbrella and putting their games on Game Pass will help that? I'll believe it when I see it.

[Fluke_Skywalker]

To be fair Sony in my memory has never bought a massive 3rd party developer who already had games in development for multiple platforms and who's games already have fans on multiple platforms. Almost all the studios Sony has bought were already pretty much working with Sony exclusively anyway and were all smaller studios when Sony bought them. So it's definitely not the same.

[TheGreatGazoo30]

@NecrumOddBoy PC is part of the Xbox ecosystem.

[djl3485]

@wiz7191 @Jedaii

Name a studio that Sony bought that was a major multiplatform developer/publisher? You can't. Comparing Naughty Dog, Insomniac, and Sucker Punch purchases to the ZeniMax purchase is asinine and dumb. Not even close.

[strifeblade]

Sure it was- didn't see your day anything when Insomniac got bought. So get kicked in the face.

[MrBeatdown]

@primegam3r

"Hahaha! Who are these gamers who get kicked in the face when a developer is purchased at the start of a generation?? You KNEW Bethesda was owned by Microsoft when you purchased a PS5 and now you want to moan about??

Take a walk pal."

Hilarious that you're trying to spin a new generation of consoles as a fresh start, when you all know how big of a deal backwards compatibility, subscriptions, and continuity from previous generations has been this gen.

[wiz7191]

@Dj you have to realize at the time when ND and majority of their studios were purchased at a time when it was either develop for Nintendo or Sony. Sega was at a point where they were exiting the market, and Nintendo was at a family friendly stage. Which honestly didn’t end until the launch of the Switch, when they realized 3rd party games mattered.

[Obscure_Observer]

@Christopher

"Better Games > Respecting Fans"

Fans of Playstation you mean. Not fans of Bethesda and/or their games.

Those "fans" you say would rather follow a console brand rather than the developers and games they claim to love and support.

[Christopher]

Nope. I meant exactly what I said. You can play the silly console war line all you want, it won't change that ESO fans on PlayStation have made them more money than Xbox and PC combined. It won't change those people who buy and play their games on PlayStation.

Last I checked, we call those fans of their games.

Look at me. Big fan of Arkane. Do I like that they're being locked behind Xbox or that Sony bought timed exclusivity? Not at all. But, I'm not at all a fan that I'll have to own a Series X to play their games when I played all of their games on PS3 and PS4. And I mean all of their games. I am a big fan of their games. I'll do what it takes, but I'm not happy that some suits made a decision that where I chose to play their games wasn't important to them anymore.

[enkiduxiv]

Calm down fellas. Todd has to say stuff like that now. Phil literally owns him. I would be looking for a sunny side to things to if my customer base turned into the Forza, Gears, Halo crowd overnight. Can't wait to see those deep rpg mechanics he thinks he's gonna get to include in Starfield. Probably customizable crosshairs for all the FPS garbage he will have to shovel.

[neomahi]

Thats already a hypocritical response. But thanks for playing.

[DJStotty]

@Christopher

I don't get why your referencing ESO, when that is and will always be on PS, so Microsoft will continue to make money of the PS fanbase.

But if the next Elder Scrolls (ES6) was Xbox and PC only, then those PS Elder Scrolls fans, will simply buy an xbox or get the game on PC, thus still supporting Bethesda, and Bethesda still supplying the same fanbase.

Only fanboys of a plastic box think differently.

"Do I like that they're being locked behind Xbox"

So just buy an xbox if they are not available on PS?

That is like me saying Returnal or Ratchet and Clank is locked behind Playstation lol.

Not for me, i will just buy a Playstation and play them, thus supporting the gaming industry as a whole.

[sourOG]

Most of the elder scrolls fan base is on PC anyways though right? The modding community and such. Nothing has changed for them. Maybe the focus will make for a better game.

[Tacoboto]

Not to mention that the PS Experience has always kinda been compromised, whether due to technical issues (all of their PS3 games) or Sony's policies with mod support.

Some of these comments make it seem like Bethesda and Sony were best buds before MS took them over. If it were Sony to have come in instead, do we think for a second that they would've been allowed to make PC releases still?

[Christopher]

ESO online has the largest community on PS4. Doom and Wofenstein are big on PS4. Dishonored did extremely well on PS3/PS4.

This isn't about just Skyrim here. It's everything.

And, even then, they decided to ignore where part of their fanbase have decided to play. Their fanbase has supported them heavily. But that didn't matter to some suits.

[Gameseeker_Frampt]

@Christopher

"ESO online has the largest community on PS4." No, it doesn't. The last I heard (in 2016) is that it is split about 30/30/30 between PC, PS4, and XBox. Feel free to post some links backing up your claims because Google can't find it and as a daily ESO player I don't think anyone has thought that ESO was bigger on PS4 than PC and XBox combined.

https://www.polygon.com/201...

[milohighclub]

Tacoboto. Seen as Sony is currently bringing their ips to PC id think it would be safe to say yes.

[Brazz]

I wonder if people will follow then... like, leave PS and go xbox, or at the very least buy Xbox to play "zenimax" games.
I'm not following them, i mean... when i get a good PC update i will buy a "good Fallout", but I'm not buying xbox...

[Christopher]

I'll follow Arkane. I don't know about the rest. IT's on a case-by-case basis.

[DJStotty]

"I'll follow Arkane."

Surely if you follow arkane and they go xbox/pc only, you may as well pick up starfield and the rest while your at it.

[alb1899]

So much baby crying here like if there isn't any posible way to get an Xbox or a PC.
Bethesda now have a boss, now they are working for MS....deal with it like grown man!

[Christopher]

Facts don't care about opinions, FYI.

[DJStotty]

I know right it comes across as desperate and tragic.

Last i heard, gamers bought games on whatever platform they released on.

[denawayne]

It's business. Get over it

[BG11579]

Respecting fans ? Let's talk about Street Fighter V then.
I remember that CAPCOM spured the same speech when SFV became a SONY exclusive.
Was the game better for it ? No. Was it for the fans ? No.
This is just PR bullshit.

[Christopher]

I said the exact same thing then. Do you still want to talk about it? All these whataboutisms doesn't change that companies are making decisions that ignore large parts of their fanbase. SFV, Tomb Raider, Deathloop, Bethesda/Zenimax, Double Fine, etc.

[neutralgamer1992]

It's okay because Bethesda always supported Microsoft better than most of the platforms. I just think as gamers these bigger publishers should stay independent but with the acquisition of Bethesda I feel like now all that's off the table. And he did not own Bethesda he's just an employee so the company selling itself to Microsoft I don't think he had much say in it

Every action has a reaction that's the best thing I can say about it. we know Sony will react one way or another especially if Microsoft were to make another big acquisition

[AirJohnston]

Why do you think they'd go X exclusive if the PS fanbase made them more money? Lol that makes absolutely 0 sense

Also making the best game possible is kinda their job so I don't get why that's being framed as a bad thing here

[Shiken]

Sony would have done the same thing. I have no idea why so many people are acting suprised by this.

[ShadowWolf712]

Sony didn't make a big ol' show of saying exclusives were anti-consumer and trying to play kumbaya around the campfire tho. MS also tried to make a big deal about how this purchase wouldn't be about "taking games away from anyone" and now it's sounding like that is indeed their plan.

It's more about the open hypocrisy surrounding this than anything. Some of the same people cheerleading this were bashing Sony for having even first-party games exclusive.

[Shiken]

What hypocrisy? Their games are on PC and will be available on streaming. MS has been very transparent with the Series consoles, at this point haters just see what they want to see.

[Zeref]

I think GamePass Cloud will be available through the browser on Playstation.

But this is pretty much confirming that Elder Scrolls 6 will only be on Xbox

Also It's not like Playstation fans lost access to these games. Unless they don't have a phone? Or a PC? It doesn't even need to be a gaming PC you could stream it..

Unlike when Playstation or Nintendo acquires someone who lock their games to the console.

Literally anyone can play an Xbox game.

[anubusgold]

Bethesda games were only on pc and xbox for awhile in the beginning of the company.

[DarkkMinion]

Get an xbox and gamepass. Problem solved.

[EverydayJoe]

Unpopular opinion here, but I personally will not miss anything Bethesda produces judging by past games. I really just don't care for Dishonored, Skyrim, Fall Out or anything else I have played.

OT for those that do care and like these games, a good equivalent would be if Sony purchased Rockstar and locked the next GTA and Red Dead to PS5. The fayboi tears would be enough to solve California's drought.

[Seraphim]

sounds more like laziness. The engine they're using is archaic and needed either a major revamp if possible or a completely new engine to work with.

Also, if I recall correctly, both PS4/5 and XB1/X have a similar [PC like] architecture unlike generations prior which often relied on proprietary tech like the PS2s Emotion Engine or the PS3s Cell... Having this similarity should make it easier for developers to develop cross platform games. It just reeks of total BS. Their games were once good enough, though bug riddled and often gorgeous on both consoles since Bethesda started producing console games. Outside of Bethesda I'm pretty sure any of the other studios who had multi-plat games release looked and played great on both consoles. Surely with the revenue Bethesda pulls they could've invested a small amount to ensure quality and/or simply delay the game like every other developer to ensure quality..... but yeah, I call BS and it stinks of laziness/bad management if that's how he truly feels.

[4Sh0w]

I remain consistent whether its when a dev/studio goes to Sony or Microsoft, they all say its because A or B is so great for gamers. Sure a small studio can do better by focusing on 1 platform at a time, but we know Bethesda surely CAN focus on multiple plats & still make the best game they can. Also lets stop pretending all exclusives turn out great bc their on 1 platform...but I digress the point is at the end of the day its not a love fest bc Sony or Microsoft cares more about games or gamers preferences aside BOTH let talent make good/great games & sure they have different strategies but ITS SIMPLE WHOEVER CAN CUT A BIG ENOUGH CHECK AT THE *RIGHT TIME*, GETS THE DEAL. Its business, even if you love what you do, money talks, so his comment isnt bad, its just routine PR after these types of acquisitions.

[Om4ever]

You are an idiot Christopher... What do you think Sony did so far ? Are you so blind ?

[anubusgold]

He is, sony was trying to make a exclusive deal for Starfield before Microsoft bought them. Starfield would have been a one year sony exclusive if microsoft didnt buy
them.

[Bruh]

Where is the call for Insomniac's Spiderman to come to Xbox? Its only Xbox whose somehow in absolute need to put their games on every platform, but not applicable to Sony? lmao

[1Victor]

I don’t see anything wrong with what tod said and hope it comes to bear amazing fruits and don’t end up like lion heart remember that old BIG acquisition 🤷🏿
I feel like he’s just reading from a teleprompter and just saying empty words that he will be judged by in the near future and might regret

[DJStotty]

How are they abandoning fans lol?

Fans of a franchise, will buy whatever platform it is on, fans of plastic are abandoning Bethesda.

you got it the wrong way around Christopher.

Say if Halo suddenly just released on PS instead of xbox, or any other xbox/pc only game, i would just buy whatever platform it is available on, that is what a fanbase of a game does.

[McToasty2077]

When Insomniac got bought by Sony and thus was instructed to make only PlayStation games from now on was that leaving the fans behind? Cause I quite like Stormlands on my Oculus and Sunset Overdrive on my Xbox but I'll see a sequel to neither now (But hey the Ratchet and Clank looks sweet). This is literally how every purchase of a developer goes and it's weird to see people who are fine with it elsewhere suddenly having a problem with it now

[strifeblade]

Well now that they can focus on one platform they can truly bring out the best as a first party exclusive and take full power of the most powerful console on the market. I'm excited- did not see anyone say anything but support when Insomniac got bought. 😁

[ufo8mycat]

Leaving fans on a platform? People who are a fan of games own more then 1 platform - Playstation, X Box and Switch.

This fanboy obsession over hardware buying owning 1 platform, being Playstation or X Box, and refusing to buy the other because of fanboy mentality, is so ridiculousily stupid.

[itsmebryan]

@Christopher
How are they not respecting fans?
Since they can focus on one platform they will able to fine tune the games for the best gaming experience.

Did insomniac disrespect their fans when sold themselves to Sony to make games exclusively for PS?

[-Foxtrot]

No no no

Don't make out like being multiplatform putting your games on PlayStation was the reason they were so buggy, that's a low blow. He didn't even like putting the effort into PlayStation consoles anyway considering how bad some launches were with bugs.

[Darkborn]

It seemed like they had 4 guys spend a week on the ps4 port after the games went gold.

[Inverno]

Todd is a PR machine and he's so disingenuous that at this point he comes off as an a hole. Their games will continue being filled with bugs regardless of where he puts his focus on because they lack competence. Their games thus far have been more hyped up hot air and people have caught on to it and speaking out against them for a while now

[Tacoboto]

Speaking out for a while, lol. Even Fallout 76 is a success story now, what a good job that's doing.

[majiebeast]

Fallout 76 bombed what crack you smoking?

[Tacoboto]

Right, because you announce two expansions at E3 for a failed game with no playerbase?

It survived the failure of its launch with all these "people" out to expose Bethesda.

[frostypants]

This is what people forget...that Bethesda games were buggy nightmares before they even started supporting any consoles, going all the way back to the early 1990s. They have always been as famous for their total lack of QA as they were for fun RPGs.

[-Foxtrot]

@Tacoboto

The games bar was so low that the only way was up

No Mans Sky and Sea of Thieves were the same. Even the Elder Scrolls Online struggled at first.

Any game can become better over time but here’s the thing, it’s taken those games years to get barely good, and even then there’s more work to go.

Why should we praise this? To get a game to that point in years rather at launch

So yeah it’s only a “success story” because Bethesda has controlled the narrative and are pretending it was always good.

[neomahi]

Their PR just sucks, just like the rest of Xboxs PR (Aaron Greenberg anyone, supposed to be the Executive Head of Xbox Marketing).

[Christopher]

Why did you have to ruin a conversation, let alone an E3, where we almost got by without mentioning that name? Why?

[JonnyBeoulve]

Clearly you've never worked on software before. More platforms makes development way more challenging, especially before the new generation when architectures were drastically different (i.e. Cell processor).

[Visceral89]

Can't really blame Bethesda or Todd Howard for Skyrim and Fallout: New Vegas running bad on the ps3, the Cell processor was difficult to work with and Sony made the bad mistake of splitting 512mb ram. I still don't know why Sony thought that was a good idea.

[galgor]

Less platforms means less variables but also - you're kissing goodbye to a few million sales per game. I'm sad to lose Fallout but heyho, after 76 I didn't like where the series was going anyway.

[DaveZero]

But that's 76 is just a differen tryoe of fallout, the ones you like that type will still come out.

I think Bethesda are just branching out more now and making more veriaty.

[majiebeast]

Fallout 4 was buggy garbage and just boring as hell.

[Machina]

@majiebeast - Every Fallout game they've made has been buggy, but (with the exception of 76, which I didn't even bother trying) they've been enjoyable despite the bugs.

I didn't find 4 boring... until I got to my first 'radiant' quest; there's no warning that they're looped, so you can sink hours into some of the dullest quests in the game before you finally realise that they're never-ending. That really pissed me off.

[Obscure_Observer]

"I'm sad to lose Fallout but heyho, after 76 I didn't like where the series was going anyway."

Fallout ins´t going anywhere. Despite ESO there´ll be an Elder Scrolls VI and I´m 100% positive that a new Fallout 5 is on the way powered by Creation Engine 2 despite Fallout 76.

[ShadowWolf712]

I think you fundamentally misunderstood that statement.

[aconnellan]

“ kissing goodbye to a few million sales per game”

I’ve never really understood this. By that logic, we shouldn’t have exclusives at all and every game should be Multiplatform. Is that what you’re insinuating?

[chiefJohn117]

Well said Jen PS fanboys move the goal post so much it the damn thing done broke lol

[potedude]

Apparently Fallout 4 sold 13.5 million copies. Assuming 7 million of those are PS copies and they sell for (conservatively) $40, that's $280,000,000 which is a fair chunk of change.

[MIDGETonSTILTS17]

Lol, they need to dev the game for Xbone X/S, Series X/S, and PC. And the ps5 is supposed to be a breeze to dev for.

The only upside is that they are much less likely to to be pressured to push out whatever’s finished come release day. They can go to Xbox and ask for more time easier than if this game wasn’t meant to show off hardware.

It would be nice if Cyberpunk had this sorta support, it definitely benefitted LoU2.

[PitbullMonster]

Yes he is right, focusing on fewer platforms can help the quality of a game but we all know that this isn't the reason why this and other Bethesda's games (maybe excluding Indian Johns and MMORPGs here) won't come for a ps platform anymore.
This is just a PR blabla.

[Rhythmattic]

Its simple for me... PS is the console to have, Gamepass is the PC sub to have.
(Disclaimer : Truth is, I dont have time for both. My Backalog is enough atm. Just started playing GoT.. and I bought physical it when it was released .. lol)

[NeoGamer232]

And that is the great! Gamers should have the options to choose whatever platform of hardware and services they want. What I don't like is that some gamers are excluded because they chose a specific platform and now yet another publisher is going exclusive.

Gaming is the only entertainment medium where exclusivity sells the hardware. If I buy a Samsung blu-ray I can buy any disc to use in it. When I buy a music CD I can play it in any CD player. But when I buy a game, nope. It has to be for a specific gaming device. STUPID.

[FPS_D3TH]

There’s is no lie here. Gamepass show only told me that my pc is good to go and if anything PlayStation might be the console I should consider if at all. Hoping Sony comes out showing me that PC was the way to go too but I won’t hold my breath lol

[GameZenith]

I'm still waiting for actual PS5 games to release.....

At least Starfield will not be also coming to the Xbox One.

[garos82]

goty is already out.its called returnal. thank me later

[NeoGamer232]

@garos82
Returnal is good but it has no chance for GOTY.

Horizon Forbidden West though. Assuming it releases this year is probably going to be a candidate. Also, Ratchet & Clank I am having fun with and think it is better then Returnal.

As for GameZenith's comment.... Both Returnal and Ratchet & Clank are exclusive to PS5. If you don't know anything about PS then don't comment on it.

[Redemption-64]

The last true game i enjoyed from them was Skyrim. Will miss ES6, but personally their games are not worth me getting a new system for. Wishing them all the best.

[ZeroX9876]

Just pay a 1-2 month xcloud gamepass sub, finish the game and move on. No need to buy a 2nd system with this option (plays great for SP games)

[Redemption-64]

I am more of a console gamer, and would rather own my games than rent them. But that is just my personal preference.

[got_dam]

It sucks for the PS owners... or I suppose it does. I have been consistently disappointed by Bethesda game studio games since skyrim. They focus so much on make a game you can see everything in on one super playthrough. It leaves it feeling like there is not much in the way of stakes. I'm hoping that this deal will give them more money and time to do what I know they are capable of, but haven't accomplished is over a decade.

[Rimeskeem]

Just make finished products please.

[DFresh]

Not like Bethesda makes proper ports on the PlayStation brand anyway.
Bethesda has always catered to the Microsoft brand.
Nobody should be surprised given their past track record.
Considering I don’t have a PC I’ll just get their games on the Series X.
No big deal for me.

[Thundercat77]

So Bethesda has zero excuses now to release their buggy games but we all know this is just more PR bla bla bla.

I hope they create good content for Xbox. Behtestha is not that good for me to buy a new console just for them so I'm leaving Bethesda behind.

[ScootaKuH]

I have a sad feeling that Microsoft are going to ruin Bethesda

[MadLad]

They paid 7.5 billion to ruin the creators of Fallout, Elder Scrolls, and now Starfield.

Makes sense lol.

[ScootaKuH]

Give it time

[oldenjon]

@TheRealTedCruz no they paid 7.5B to gain an edge in the console gaming market. They do some other nonsense every console cycle and have a pretty bad track record of committing to it. To digress this feels a bit different though, gamepass day 1 releases just feels unintuitive and like a bad idea, and I'm concerned that its using money and influence to set a bad precedent that the industry might have to follow and that might backfire for them. Anyways, they're going to want max return on the investment. It's going to be need to be multi-plat to garner the kind of success Bethesda is used to

[MadLad]

@olden

1st party releases are used to sell hardware, thus also console accessories. They're also using these games to push their gamepass service.
If they were purely worried about sales, they would have announced it on every platform possible, but didn't.
They obviously aren't worried about other console platforms.

[oldenjon]

@TheRealTedCruz, yeah but you're talking about Microsoft. The developer doesn't necessarily benefit from all that, and if the games they create are reaching a smaller audience that's incentive enough for it to split up and then quality will suffer.

[John_McClane]

Well said Ted!

[Ninver]

Nothing f#cks you harder than time.

[Christopher]

They won't. Bethesda is like Minecraft. Not only are they a software megahouse, but they are also huge in the market of game paraphernalia (clothing, art, statues, etc.). Microsoft isn't just making money off of the games, but the stuff that fans buy. They have a history of building on this with Minecraft and they will do as such here.

[Magog]

2 xboxes and 5 million possible PC configurations which will have to be optimized for. What a joke.

[Zhipp]

they were gonna have to do those anyway though.

[Chriswheeler22]

This is true. Thats why exclusives are usually the best games. That includes the competition too

[garos82]

no idea why you getting disagrees. this is 100% accurate

[Notellin]

And every single one of these N4G trolls told us we were wrong when we said Microsoft would make Bethesda games exclusives.

Just goes to show their emotional immaturity is equal to their business sense maturity.

[Tetsujin]

Translation - Buy on Xbox and PC first so we know where to fix the bugs for the PS5 version of the game which will release 1-2 years down the road.

All this means is another company will make something better than Fallout to show how to actually treat the fans of your games and not siding with one console.

[MadLad]

Fallout 3 came out 13 years ago.
Fallout New Vegas came out 11 years ago.

Still waiting for a series that matches up with what they're doing. I play a good amount of indie and AA experiences that offered similar experiences, just on a smaller scale; but I have yet to see other titles match up. I doubt one will magic itself into existence simply because those series are now not on Playstation.

If anything, it will come in the form of Outer Worlds 2, which is also a MS exclusive.

[Tetsujin]

From my personal experiences, here's the games I vote higher than Fallout that followed a lot of the same formula:

Wasteland 2 (following the original Fallout games prior to 3)
Cyberpunk 2077 (buggy but still a fun experience)

[MadLad]

@tet

I'll give you Wasteland 2/3. They are definitely better RPGs than Fallout 3 and 4.
Cyberpunk though, that's an RPG by label alone. Not to mention it was so poorly developed on release.

[BigMalk]

Funny, because the better games are being made by dev teams working with Sony all these years.

Not meant as a dig at MS, but we've seen where first party teams have been lead over the past decade on both sides, and one is doing significantly more for customer satisfaction than the other in that department. Hopefully, the new aquisitions will prove different this time.

Howard is talking like Sony held them back, when he's been so bad at reading the room for what gamers want for years,and especially with quality control.

[Dirtnapstor]

And the excuses continue, even after acquisition. He'll never escape his lying pitch at E3 for Fallout 76 prior to it's release.
Bethesda's needed a massive revamp. They known this forever. That said, I hope Starfield is revolutionary.

[oldenjon]

I'm honestly not convinced it won't be a timed exclusive. How many platforms did Skyrim make it to? We all know Microsoft is about $$$$$. The exclusive announcement is mostly likely a hype move.

[Tedakin]

.... Microsoft didn't own Bethesda when they released Skyrim. Bethesda was third party. They are a first party Xbox studio now, just like Insomniac is a first party Sony one. Is Ratchet and Clank coming to Xbox?

[oldenjon]

....Ratchet and Clank was never on Xbox so not a great example. It's a different thing entirely to go from selling 30 million copies on all platforms to selling 15 million copies on one (the situation is potentially worse if it's more gamepass royalties and not units sold). How does a developer thrive and continue making the same quality in that scenario? Microsoft has been branching out with bringing games it's published to other consoles in the last couple of years, showing their strategy is no longer platform-centric. With XBX and gamepass being fresh it makes sense to make exclusive announcements right now, but all signs point to timed exclusive. 1 or 2 year old games just don't have the same hype or system selling power as new games, but they do still make money.

[Silly gameAr]

Later, Todd.

[Einhander1971]

Personally I couldn't give a monkeys ass about Bethesda. There games have no interest to me. I will stick with what Sony and Nintendo delivers thanks. Especially with the new Metroid announced, that means more to me than anything Bethesda could ever produce. I have an Xbox series S haven't played it for months. Besides Microsoft flight simulator its just the same old bore fest for Xbox. How many more times can anyone play Forza.

[Father__Merrin]

What else can he say? The parent company has been bought out so he can only say positive things about going xbox only.

I really want to know what the sales split is on thier next game and compare it to Bethesda games of the past that hit PlayStation

[wiz7191]

Why couldn’t he had meant he’s now able to focus on one ecosystem instead of 2. Lol I mean that could be it .. and now they also are backed by Microsoft so I’m sure their budget headroom is probably pretty high.

[FPS_D3TH]

So you’re not wasting anybody else’s time and money with garbage PS4 ports? Cool, not like you had any respect for majority of playerbase with the Playstation platform. At least I can play on pc should this starfield game be worth it

[GamingSinceForever]

Oh cut the BS they just wanted the bag. This had nothing to do with getting better. If that were the case they were better off going with Sony who has proven to squeeze the best out of studios. 😂

[BioShockGX]

I'm only gonna miss elder scrolls and maybe wolfenstein. Will definitely try to build a PC to play ES.

[GamingSinceForever]

The 2nd Wolfenstein was a disappointment compared to the original and its dlc.

[archibold]

Can't wait to get it on PC! (͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[enkiduxiv]

Funny how many developers manage to produce good games for all platforms. You don't have to be Rockstar either. Ice Pick Lodge makes better games than Bethesda and I'm pretty sure they are only a few dozen people. But whatever gets Todd to focus, I guess.

[neomahi]

Doubt it. He obviously hasnt seen PlayStation as of late. Thats a trashy and unnecessary response to something he obviously didnt know how to professionally respond too to try and sound tough. They can now be bundled with Microsoft and it can he said now Xbox has the worst PR team in the gaming industry, they just dont know how to interact with the gaming world without sounding like ignorant pompus assholes.

[antikbaka]

come on. It's just about making xbox exclusives.

sony does it.
mics doest it
nintendo does it

[waverider]

We all know this isnt true. The only place where this would be true is with Sony or Nintendo, Where they dont need to make games work day one on PC. This isnt more then PR talk... and lets see if this words dont comeback to bite him....

[Profchaos]

Bit of a forced response if I ever heard one. He knows it's effectively shutting the door on a large portion of their fanbase

[masterfox]

How dare you Todd!!.....Im sooo ughhh... nah good luck Todd you will need it a lot since you are with MS now.

[cbuc1125]

Well maybe he has a point because i dont remember their games being that good.

[cerpintaxt44]

lol

[Bobertt]

He realized they ruined their reputation and can't get by with bug ridden games and removing rpg mechanics. Better to take the money from Microsoft and only disappoint 1 platform than have no deal and disappoint 3.

[quenomamen]

Oooh now they will focus on better games.

[NewEnds0186]

I'll let the games do the talking.

[Mikeyy]

Todd is the worst PR guy in history... I would have taken the 7 billion too, I don't blame him, but dont lie and claim you did it to improve your product.

Instead of buying 2 copies like I always did, I'll just be buying the 1 pc copy. It's your loss buddy.

My only struggle is I cannot for the life of me play on pc without typing "tgm". Atleast on the playstation versions it forced me to play the games legit.

[Stormswrath4]

A boss move is a boss move and that's what Microsoft has done...made a boss move. All of those nay sayers who think ES6 is going to be on playstation are delusional. I am not a fanboy, I always get both systems but I have to acknowledge and congratulate Msoft for going all in in games for this generation. Simple as that.

[FreeFallFrenzy]

It's literally one platform that they're leaving, and supposedly the easiest of all of them to develop for. I know he's gotta talk the talk now, but this literally doesn't make any sense. He's still making the game for two Xboxes and an infinite number of PC specs. And considering more blockbuster games are purchased on Sony's platform than any other system (minus Nintendo exclusives), it's still a huge loss.

[ARESWARLORD]

I have a PC I also have a series S. Also have a PS5.

Just looking to play some good games

[NoLifeLoser]

Who let the dogs out?

[talocaca]

Lol....lamest excuse ever for taking Microsoft's cash.

None of this had to do with making better games.

[RoseSapphire]

Lets see if this is still true when they're not pulling in those Skyrim bucks.

[anast]

He had 20 years to make a good game...but some how now they will make better games...If they do, I will be surprised.

[Orchard]

"He had 20 years to make a good game..."

Are we now pretending Howard/Bethesda games are bad? That's cute.

Skyrim = 96
Oblivion = 94
Fallout 3 = 93
Morrowind = 89
Fallout 4 = 88

p.s. I'm still waiting on that info on the Walmart store that is discounting Xbox Series consoles due to being unable to sell them. Such a long wait.

[anast]

Marrowind was the last good game. The rest of those are the story of the decline of Morrowind. I was wrong they had 19 years...

Should I p.s. you or what?.. a bit strange to do this on a forum...

In Walmart, the SX was 19,999 , then dropped to 17,999 and then back to 19,999. Now you can get them for 16,849 at Mercado Libre.

[Orchard]

So if Skyrim is a bad game at 96, that effectively means every 80-
90+ game we’ve played in the last two decades are bad games.

So Uncharted, Halo, GTA, Red Dead, TLOU, all bad games. Got it.

p.s. Still waiting on my discounted Series X/S console. Do you admit you lied yet?

[Orchard]

@anast Dude, that isn't a discount...

MSRP for Series X in Mexico is $13,999 in Pesos ($698 USD) ( https://www.xbox.com/es-MX/... )
19,999 Pesos would be $998 USD and 17,999 Pesos would be $898 USD.

So I went on Walmart Mexico ( https://www.walmart.com.mx/... ) The item is being sold by a third party, NOT Walmart, because Walmart is out of stock. So you proved my earlier point - the console IS in demand, Walmart are sold out and are NOT reducing the price 'because they can't sell it'.

The irony is, at the time of posting this, Walmart Mexico has the PS5 in stock, at MSRP (13,999 Pesos) - and being sold by Walmart rather than a 3rd party: https://www.walmart.com.mx/...

So it's the PS5 that isn't selling out in Mexico, not the Xbox.

[zoks310]

Let me see them hit those scores today

[Father__Merrin]

Fallout 4 most copies sold on ps4 I think it's 10 million plus I really want to see the breakdown when they release thier next game

[Orchard]

Not sure MS necessarily will be counting/caring about unit sales. They're probably more so looking at how many people sub to GamePass for the next Zenimax titles.

[glenn1979]

@JenGotGame SSSHHHHH YOU CANT SAY THAT IN THIS SITE THE WILL GO BANANAS

[chiefJohn117]

We look forward to those better games

[jcole97]

Just get an xbox or pc. Easy

[justadelusion]

so.. their next games wont be a buggy broken copy paste of a mess?

[BlaqMagiq1]

Good luck. Have no interest in purchasing an Xbox for Bethesda titles.

[brewin]

Ok then, enjoy paying $70 for 5-8 hour games!

[BlaqMagiq1]

5-8 hours? Lmao only an idiot would think PS exclusives are 5-8 hours long. Good job being one of them 😂. I rather pay $70 to own my games and play them anytime I want years later than pay constantly for a rental service. Oh and BTW there's this thing called a SALE where if I don't want to buy them at $70 I can wait for the price to drop. Shocking I know but it's true. Good thing I'm not a broke gamer.

[DnBSkillZ]

Bethesda was always PC/Windows side so it makes sense

[brewin]

Let the fanboy tears commence 🤣🤣🤣 my how the convo would be different if Sony was the one buying. This should not be a big deal to you Sony only fans since you all own super awesome gaming pcs anyway right?! Oh no, that's just the argument you use to discredit the xbox exclusives then?! ok it all makes sense now. 🙈🤣

[WillyC009]

I left bethesda behind after the extremely underwhelming Fallout 4. Fallout 76 and it being multiplayer was the nail in the coffin. I’d like to wish them well, but I won’t.

This is the same company that made a mess of the 76 launch with the terrible ‘canvas bag’ & helmet being incredibly toxic and charging people a ridiculous amount of money. Not to mention their games are a buggy mess they never fix and rely on the mod community to do it for them.

Seems some people have short memories here.

[gold_drake]

i dont think that was the reason why all them games were buggy as hell. dont bullshit me you rascal.

[Soldierone]

Ill bet money their games still run on old outdated engines and are still filled with glitches galore. Wonder how long they will keep milking EoS Online on PlayStation before they get ballsy enough to cut out over a 3rd of the userbase.

[Petebloodyonion]

When ppl scream: "Microsoft needs exclusivities, There are no reasons to own an Xbox, Xbox as no real IP aside Gears Forza and Halo" Well you get this crappy news.
Now I can understand Microsoft's logic to please the fanbase but I will not defend this move just like I don't defend Sony time exclusives and deals.
I'll repeat this again and again and again: What benefit do you get as an Xbox (or Playstation) player when your friend can't play the game because it's exclusive to your system? Again I can see MS benefit from the move but in no way, shape, or form does it benefit the gamer and especially if the game you like flop because of a low player base.

Also, I'll rant a bit against Phil here because he could have really nailed we don't want barrier we want everybody to enjoy our game that he's been preaching the past couple of years.
Personally, I do believe that having the game release Day 1 on Gamepass+ made on Xbox and ported to other consoles would have been a win for Xbox + the Diehard PS5 that hate MS with a passion could forks the 70$ they love to spend and everybody would have been happy but NO!
Now he looks a bit like Jim Ryan with trying to explain why they need to block Playstation.

[vistav]

Just wrote something on here a little while after you. Can you help me understand Microsoft's POV?

[CYALTR]

They have the money to try to buy themselves out of the situation, so that is what they are trying. Not saying it's going to work, or is even a good idea, but that is their POV. As someone else mentioned, when all the Sony people are screaming about how Xbox sucks because they have no exclusives, I guess they do now. Sometimes when you yell loud enough someone actually tries to fix the problem, it just isn't how you wanted it to be fixed.

[Soldierone]

I hate when people do this, even if its Sony doing it. You got paid, screwed over the fans of your franchise to cash the check, period. People that turn around and try to make excuses that their decision was for anything else instead of owning up to it really annoy me. If it was really that hard for your multi billion dollar company to develop a port on PlayStation, perhaps you have bigger talent issues because I can name a dozen studios not having issues at all......

[vistav]

Hey Readers!

Help me understand something, please! So, I am not a fanboy. I have owned every Nintendo, Sega, Sony, and Microsoft console.
Developer-wise, does something not feel right with Xbox? Did they just poach a major 3rd party developer (Bethesda) because they can't seem to foster and nurture their own talent? I'm primarily looking at cancelled games like Scalebound, Fable Legends, Fez 2...the fact that Halo Infinite needed to get an extra year of development tacked on, and that Drew Murray left The Initiative to join Insomniac. Plus, The Medium, a game they were touting as a next-gen exclusive is now about to arrive on PS5 this year.
Gamepass is amazing, no doubt about it. But, developer-wise, what is XBox actually creating on their own?
I feel like Sony (sadly more than Nintendo right now) is fostering their talent, letting them make games we can trust. Miles, Returnal, Ratchet are great, and I'm guessing most trust in what Guerilla can do with Horizon: FW and what the God of War sequel can become.
In terms of Xbox and their exclusives, everything Bethesda has been crafting that will be released in the next 3 years, originally had Playstation in mind. Hellblade was a viable property before Microsoft acquired Ninja Theory; even Doublefine had a solid voice before Xbox acquired them.
So please help me understand...developer-wise... GAMING-wise...NOT business-wise...what is Xbox contributing and fostering within the gaming landscape?

[Petebloodyonion]

Developer-Wise: less platform to develop on so easier time but a bit of pointless cause it's almost all based on the same architecture. But still, it's easier because you have fewer variables.

Gaming-wise the only benefit I see is MS paying the bills so more creative possibilities and bringing values to Gamepass (and that is contributing to fostering the landscape). But like I said above I don't see a benefit in preventing a game already in development from appearing on other platforms (when MS already proved that releasing a game like Minecraft works).

As for MS's lack of creation, I completely disagree. They only suck because we want them to suck just like we want the Ubisoft game to suck and medias are quite happy about selling us what we want.
For example, a lot of devs in the industry are calling Ubisoft a pioneer of open-world games and amongst the innovator of the genre so how come reviews never reflect that. But hey Zelda and MGS5 gets 10/10 while basically having bigger issues than what Ubisoft is to blame for.

The same applies for MS. Gears5 gets a 7 from Gamespot because of only 1 thing----- 1 THING!!!!! the reviewer found the story predictable but the rest of the package doesn't matter (heck the review was basically the same before online was available).

Actually, go read all good reviews in an MS game and there's always an excuse to say well it's great but...
-It's a niche game
-it's the same as
-It's indie
-It's casual
It's a PC type of game

Let me ask you a question How come no one takes Sega seriously when they release a game under the Sega banner despite everything they have done?
Did you found yourself the need to grab Yakuza like a Dragon despite the 9/10
Did you saw the countless promo, deep dives, previews, and hype surrounding the game?
Well that's basically where MS is right now and will be until they score a major hit that nobody is seeing coming (like Gears1)
Here's already my review for Halo Infinite 7/10 great game with no flaws but you can see that Xbox1 is limiting the potential of the game.

[vistav]

Actually, Like A Dragon was the first Sega game I'd purchased since Sonic Mania, and that was because it seemed like something completely different...in terms of a Yakuza game...and I loved it.
But to answer your question, as I thought about it, I don't always take Sega seriously because they seem stuck in the past, for the most part. I don't feel like they've truly evolved over time. I feel the same for XBox. They had something during the 360 generation, but I'm not sure they truly know what something was, and they've never truly followed the mantra "hold on tightly, let go lightly," which is why for as cool as Halo Infinite multiplayer may look, it's not revolutionary; it just feels like ok, 7/10 good comfort food.
I just feel like we deserve better from their 1st party, and I really am not getting any signs that they care about that. Where is the next-gen XBox exclusive, justifying a Series' existence within its first year???

[chiefJohn117]

Sony bought insomniac a 3rd party dev so
Devs left naughty dog and joined The Initiative
GOW got delayed
What is you're argument exactly again, that's not normal in the industry?

[brewin]

You must not remember how Sony got to where they are, by BUYING STUDIOS! Holy shit you sound ridiculous with this kind of hogwash! Are you serious?! They are contributing a lot. Remember that Mass Effect was originally an Xbox exclusive series. Gamepass allows millions of gamers to enjoy titles they wouldnt have previously ever played, which opens the door to indie developers IMMENSLY! GTFOH with the Absolute HORSESHIT!

[Petebloodyonion]

Glad that you enjoyed Yakuza, I have yet to play it but installed the game yesterday (tks Gamepass) As for Sega I agree with you but do we want them to change? How many good reviews of Sonic start with Since Sonic 2 on the Genesis? How many Sega games like Vanquish, Alien Isolation, Hell Yeah! Wrath of the Dead Rabbit, Binary Domain, and Valkyria Chronicles are never mentioned in award presentations but always find themselves in the Hidden gem list after a couple of years?

As for MS I had time to reflect a bit and noticed something We praised Sony all the time for the quality of the Story-driven game and praise Nintendo for the quality of the gameplay in their game (never the story or narrative) and we always ask or wonder when will MS bring a similar experience.
But how come we never Ask Sony or Nintendo to make great enduring Multiplayer experiences?
We laugh about how Rare is crap and how Sea of thieves is a Gamepass filler but the game is currently in the top played games on Steam (20 000+ paying Customer just on Steam) and still receiving content after 3 years
Same with Halo MCC despite being out since 2014 on Xbox1
State of Decay, Forza, Gears, Minecraft?

Can we name 1 Sony's 1st party game that comes close to this in terms of support and community?
Perhaps this is where MS truly shine vs Nintendo and Sony

And last you're right about your last comment regarding the need to purchase a Serie X and it's probably why suddenly MS is all about we're gonna release 6 awesome games in the next 6 months.
https://youtu.be/RXRFeZd8GM...

[343_Guilty_Spark]

Bethesda wanted to be apart of MS.

[CYALTR]

"So please help me understand...developer-wise... GAMING-wise...NOT business-wise...what is Xbox contributing and fostering within the gaming landscape?"

I don't think you can separate the two issues. There are no developers without the business side and no business side without the developers. It might be a great philosophical discussion, but when global gaming revenue reaches 190 BILLION dollars a year, it's always about the business

I think it is obvious that MS has been struggling developing new games in house. I really don't see how anyone can argue that point. That isn't to say that the don't make any good games, but if you honestly compare MS first party with PS or Nintendo first party, I think even a fanboy can admit that MS has been behind the curve here for some time.

The reasons, I guess nobody is really privy to, but there are lots of opinions out there as to why. I'm sure many of them have already been covered. I think that MS recognized the obvious problem and has taken steps to remedy it. What they have been doing is not working, pretty much everyone agrees with that, so they just decided to take a different approach. Being that MS has stacks of money that they trip over at the office, the obvious solution was to just buy studios that hopefully already made the kind of games that MS was failing to make for themselves. I really think it is a decision that just about any company with the means would make. The reason Sony didn't by 7 billion dollars for Zenimax wasn't because they thought it was a bad idea, it was because it was financially impossible for them. That is not a dig at Sony, you can probably count the number of companies that could make that deal happen on one hand, it's just the fact. MS is bigger and has more money at it's disposal.

Was this the right solution? Who knows? Everyone was bitching because MS couldn't release anything decent, first party? Well I guess we'll see. It's entirely possible that MS is making the wrong move, but I don't think they had many options available to them at this point, especially when they decided to make GP the focus of the Xbox.

As always, time will tell.

[phoenixwing]

Todd I like your elder scrolls games but leave the pr for phil to bring up

[RCslayer]

Anyone who believes this bs is dumber than a bag of bricks. Its just about the $$$$$$$

[DefaultComment]

OR you are just butthurt Bethesda pretty much gave their back on all those playsation fanboys... which makes sense in less platforms to develop for, allows them to spend more time on the game.

[TheTony316]

The only Bethesda series i care about is Elder Scrolls but i'm not going to buy an entire new system just for that. Oh well.

[GameZenith]

Doom
Starfield
Elder Scrolls
The Outer Worlds 2

[TheTony316]

Don't care about those. Only Elder Scrolls. And Outer Worlds isn't from Bethesda.

[Junkstein]

Biggest mistake ever, almost every 3rd party games sold better on PS4 last gen, almost every Ubisoft title, sport games, shooters.

[YourMommySpoils]

A comedian I see.

[The7Reaper]

Previously established multiplatform franchises becoming exclusives is very scummy and anti consumer.

[GameZenith]

Technically Starfield is multiplatform. It is also on PC. I do not own a Xbox but I will buy Starfield for PC

[brewin]

PC IS Xbox, so theres that

[CYALTR]

I'm not sure how to explain this so people will understand, so I will try to break it down. I'm not making any comparison in quality, just examples of what I am talking about.

With cell phones there is IOS and Android, two ways of basically doing the same thing with basically the same equipment.

With game CONSOLES you have MS and PS, basically the same equipment doing the same thing.

With COMPUTERS you have Apple and PC, again, basically the same equipment doing the same thing.

While you can certainly play games on a PC, that is not necessarily the designed purpose of the machine. Of course you can BUILD a PC with the designed purpose to play games. Buy you certainly can't design a CONSOLE to do all of the various different things some people use their PC's for. Pretty sure you can't design a spreadsheet on your console, at least not in any sort of easy way.

@GameZenith: This wasn't really a direct response to anything you posted, but it's been bugging me that people insist that if there is absolutely no reason anyone would want an Xbox if they have a computer. I will now step down from my soapbox.

[brewin]

But remember, its also on PC so not exclusive right?! I thought all you PS fanboys had incredible gaming PCs that could run all the Xbox games you say you dont care about?!

[ALMGNOON]

For some reason this moron is still talking about Playstation, weird obsession.

[GameZenith]

U mad?

[RPGer]

Look at Square Enix they releases their games on tons of platforms and still almost no issues, even for Switch/Vita,PSP/DS and mobile games. Why? Because despite of they are so stubborn and stupid when it comes to the potentials, but they are real game developers and does releases their games when as a game, not as alpha or as beta. One scene from SE games is far more polished and have dynamics and weight than anything that Bathesda did ever deliver. Lmoa, the only major issue about FF game was a door textures and people made about it a meme, because it first of kind for SE. However, Bathesda's games performance are non meme material they are the memes itself. MS bought the studio and the results was clear although they denied it.

[brewin]

DAFUQ are you talking about lol. You clearly have NOT played SE games like you say you have. Their games ship with TONS of bugs as well lol! In fact, the only recent SE game I can recall not having lots of bugs is the FF7 REMAKE! AND THAT WAS PS EXCLUSIVE! Played any of the Just Cause games? FF 15 was a bug fest until they did like 10 updates! Holy shit take your fanboy glasses off lol

[GameZenith]

Lol the salt in this discussion....

[brewin]

Its sad really. It just shows how many sad little broke fools there are out there. If you can only afford ONE console, why are you going with the one that has THE MOST EXPENSIVE library of games?! Its funny cuz I have a ps5, but with Gamepass and an Xbox series X, I can afford to wait until the PS5 exclusives are super cheap and get them then. I dont feel like Im missing anything either. Im over paying $60-$70 for games that will be $30-$40 in a month. Sony games ALWAYS drop like a rock in price SO FAST! I paid $100 TOTAL for Gamepass for 3 YEARS! I feel like Ive preordered the next 3 years of games for almost the cost of ONE PS EXCLUSIVE!?!? The arguments against Gamepass are complete shit and clearly fanboy hate!

[DJStotty]

Makes sense, less platforms to develop for, allows them to spend more time on the game.

There is a reason why platform exclusives tend to be showcases of consoles.

Even if they abandon completely a what, 100 million fanbase on playstation give or take? They can cater to the many millions more than that across PC/Xbox, to make the games not only better for xbox, but also masterpieces for PC.

50% of that PS fanbase probably already own both platforms anyhow.

[brewin]

Ive got a PS5, but all my time goes to my Series X because of Gamepass. So many Xbox exclusives that I missed last gen are on Gamepass, enhanced for Series X no less, and it is glorious!

[blacktiger]

but you don't need series X to play gamepass, so your comment is irrelevant to gamepass,

[FanboysKiller]

I don't understand the convenience of the pc+ps5 setup for gaming while you can just swap the pc with an xbox , how hard is it for making a switch? , I don't find it unjustifiable.

[blacktiger]

why have xbox when you have PC

[CYALTR]

I have both. I just prefer the convenience of a console. I also have a very old, basic rig, as I only use it for limited internet browsing. I have no desire to have to deal with all of the issues that come with PC gaming. Upgrading equipment to keep up with the demands of the latest software is not something I have any desire to mess with. I know with a console, though it may not be the absolute best, bleeding edge, version of the game, it will run well on my console and has been optimized specifically for that machine. I also prefer to game on my 65" TV rather than my monitor. Anyway there are lots of reasons. None of these may apply to you, but they do apply for many.

The other reason is that I am old!!! ^^^^See above for details^^^^^ LOL

[Flewid638]

Never seen a Bethesda game I've ever wanted.

[blacktiger]

same

[CYALTR]

That's why hundreds of games are released every year. There is something for everyone

[Flewid638]

I was hoping so, but it seems like E3 for Xbox was only for people who enjoy FPS, rather than "something for everyone."

[CYALTR]

@Flewid638:

I can't totally disagree with that comment. I felt the same way. It seemed like every other game involved blowing shit up. Granted, very many games have this as a core, but one of the things I like about modern gaming and Game Pass in particular, is that it gives a big variety of games and genres I might not always try. Personally I enjoy many FPS games, but sometimes I at least like to have the opportunity to build something before I blow it up.

[DefaultComment]

OOhhhh burn so hard to all those playsstation owners...welp, this was bound to happen eventually.

[blacktiger]

Usually you try best in selling games, but streaming, what you try so gamers can play certain amount of hours>? Selling is a thing of a past for Microsoft or at least for gamepass

[OMNlPOTENT]

I highly doubt multi platforming is the reason their games are buggy as hell.

[thiaxl2]

Very good!

[ChasterMies]

Hmm, yes, the moral justification of selling out to restrict your video game from the majority of the console market.

[fad632]

Seems to me like an excuse for poor performance to me.
With comments like this it’s piles on the pressure to produce the goods now, there’s no excuse after making comments like this!

[Keltech]

Let's see if they go the Crystal Dynamics route. Begging for Sony players to buy their game because their sales with one platform (Xbox) was abysmal.

[CYALTR]

Won't have to, they are part of Xbox Game Studios now. MS can eat that loss as an accounting error.

[RedeemTK]

todd howard continuing to prove why hes the worst in the industry

[marcuzgungeze10]

Great cause there has been no new Elder Scrolls for a generation and Fallout 76 launched like a pile of garbage, but has a great expansion coming NEXT year. Glad MS is spending money on video games. Let’s go.

[milohighclub]

As an amateur dev using ue4/ue5. Building for cross gen at this point is pretty much as simple as changing scalability settings a selecting which platform I want to build for. From mobile to PC. If building for other platforms takes away focus (from building microtransactions) then fix your engine. Say it as it is todd, Microsoft threw up a few billion and zenimax said f-you to 100million gamers.

[jambola]

Won't stop you from blatantly lying to people, over-charging for broken messes and treating people like crap though