There has been some talk going around that Microsoft intends to stop making Xbox consoles, which serve as the main competitor to PlayStation. People know better than to completely believe what they hear from the internet, but the Xbox head clarified the situation regardless.
Xbox Fans Can Rest Easy
PlayStation is outselling Microsoft in the console business, but the software giant has no plans to exit the market still. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer confirmed this to Microsoft employees, following other rumors that are yet to be denied or confirmed.
It's unknown how the rumor began, but it started circulating around early February and was prompted by reports of Xbox exclusives arriving on PlayStation consoles. Many Xbox users were not too happy about the news and quickly dismissed them.
The mentioned video game titles include Bethesda's Starfield and Gears of War, as reported by Kotaku. Other than console specs, exclusive games have always been one of the factors that players look into when purchasing a console.
In that sense, Xbox users are wondering why Microsoft would even consider it. While Spencer already denied that the tech giant will stop making its consoles, he was tight-lipped when it came to addressing the situation with the Xbox-exclusive games.
It's important to note that when the meeting where Phil Spencer told Xbox employees that Microsoft would continue manufacturing its consoles took place, the rumor about Starfield being ported to the PS5 was already widespread.
If this was the case, it could definitely hurt the sales of the Xbox. Even without the distribution of its exclusives, the PS5 has already outsold the former by 3:1. Sony sold 22.5 million in 2023 while the Xbox Series X|S only sold 7.6 million units.
It's also safe to say that PS5 exclusives will remain exclusive to Sony's console. Titles like Final Fantasy XVI, Spider-Man 2, and Baldur's Gate 3 have contributed to more sales in the console even though it was first released a little more than three years ago.
Regarding the PS5 Port for Starfield
One of the first leakers claiming that the Bethesda game was coming to the PS5 was NateTheHate. However, he quickly took back what he said, saying that it was a "lapse in judgment" on his part, further making it seem like the rumor was false.
However, he did not deny his other claims saying that certain Xbox titles will become mutliplatform. As for now, Starfield will remain an Xbox exclusive, stemming from the fact that Microsoft acquired Bethesda's parent company, ZeniMax Media.
As reported by Game Rant, the acquisition also led to the cancellation of the initially planned PS5 port before the game was even released, which led to the developer of the game apologizing to PlayStation users.
Still, you can play the game's PC port of you want to experience the space-themed title. With the other Xbox titles, all we can do is wait for the official confirmation of Microsoft about which titles will be arriving on its rival console.
