In a recent deposition for the FTC hearing regarding Microsoft’s attempt to acquire Activision Blizzard, PlayStation boss Jim Ryan addressed the issue of Xbox’s Starfield exclusivity. His comments shed light on his perspective and concerns about the matter, offering insights into the competitive landscape between Sony and Microsoft in the gaming industry.
Jim Ryan acknowledged his personal dissatisfaction with Starfield’s exclusivity on Xbox. However, he clarified that he did not consider it to be “anti-competitive.” Ryan’s stance reflected a delicate balance between his personal preference and the acknowledgment of Microsoft’s strategic decisions.
Ryan expressed similar sentiments about another recently released game, Redfall. Although he admitted not liking the exclusivity of Redfall he did not see it as a move that hindered fair competition in the industry.
While Ryan accepted the exclusivity of certain games, he continued to voice concerns over Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard. During his deposition, he expressed Sony’s belief that Microsoft had intentions to utilize the popular Call of Duty franchise to disadvantage PlayStation.
Sony’s worry primarily revolved around the availability and distribution of Call of Duty games on PlayStation consoles, fearing that Microsoft might restrict or alter the gaming experience to divert PlayStation gamers toward Xbox platforms particularly Game Pass.
Jim Ryan disclosed that PlayStation had initially anticipated Starfield, along with other Bethesda games, to be released as multiplatform titles. The historical context of Bethesda’s games being available on various platforms led to this expectation. However, Ryan expressed his surprise when he discovered Starfield’s exclusivity to Xbox following Microsoft’s acquisition of ZeniMax.
This revelation highlighted the significant impact that Microsoft’s acquisition had on the gaming industry, reshaping the availability of popular franchises. While Ryan did not elaborate further on his reaction, it signaled a paradigm shift in the relationship between Bethesda’s games and PlayStation consoles.
Jim Ryan’s comments during the deposition shed light on his perspective regarding Xbox’s Starfield exclusivity. Although he expressed personal dissatisfaction, he did not consider it anti-competitive. However, Sony’s concerns about Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard remained, especially regarding the potential impact on Call of Duty and PlayStation gamers.As the gaming industry continues to evolve dynamics between major players like Sony and Microsoft shape the landscape of exclusivity and competition. Such developments have a profound influence on gamers and their choices of platforms.
