Elder Scrolls 6 Leak is the Perfect Xbox Revenge Plan Against Sony afterBlack Myth: Wukong Scandal

The Elder Scrolls series has been one of the most iconic in gaming, and The Elder Scrolls 6 is one of the most awaited titles. But will it be affected by the exclusivity war between PlayStation and Xbox? A 4chan leaker certainly thinks so. Take it with a grain of salt though.

The console war may be over with Microsoft prioritizing Xbox Game Pass sales over consoles, but does that mean the exclusivity war is also over? Probably not. Indiana Jones and The Great Circle is coming out on December 9 for Xbox and PC with a PlayStation release scheduled for 2025, The Elder Scrolls 6 could get the same treatment.

The Elder Scrolls 6 Might Be a Part of The Exclusivity War

Recent leaks suggest The Elder Scrolls 6 may launch as a timed exclusive for Xbox and PC, with a delayed release for PlayStation. While the source of this rumor is just a post on 4chan, making it fairly unreliable, some details do align with industry patterns.

4chan post on the early developement of Elder Scrolls VI
byu/TheEternalGazed inGamingLeaksAndRumours

For instance, the game’s working title, “Highfell,” and its composer, Inon Zur, are plausible claims. Zur has a long history with Bethesda, scoring titles like Starfield and Fallout 4. The exclusivity part could also very well be true given recent events.

A source with knowledge of the situation has told me that Black Myth: Wukong is not currently on Xbox because of an exclusivity deal, and is not delayed because of any sort of technical issue

— Paul Tassi (@PaulTassi) August 29, 2024

The recent exclusivity controversy with Black Myth: Wukong is also something to think about regarding this. Game Science initially stated that technical optimization issues were delaying the game’s release on Microsoft’s console, but there was eventually a rumor about a potential exclusivity deal with Sony.

Exclusivity has become a cornerstone of Sony’s strategy for the PlayStation brand in recent years. And while Microsoft has shifted its strategy to a more subscription-based ecosystem with Game Pass, there still might be exclusivity deals for some titles.

what is “exclusive”? i’m pretty sure i’ll enjoy TES6 on PC without the need of owning an xbox. cant say that for most playstation games.

— Aviarium (@Aviarium5) September 1, 2023

Game Pass has become a central pillar of Microsoft’s strategy. By offering a vast library of titles, the company is appealing to a market beyond just consoles. The Game Pass library includes big AAA games including the upcoming Indiana Jones and the Great Circle which will be available on Day 1 of its release.

Microsoft Has Shifted Its Focus Away to Game Pass

Microsoft’s focus on Game Pass might hint at a future where access outweighs ownership. This strategy is the complete opposite of what was there during the console war where exclusives were used as incentives to sell hardware.

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byu/Logical_Squirrel8970 from discussion
inXboxGamePass

Sony still does that to most of the community’s annoyance, but Xbox’s shift in priority is good to see. Microsoft has switched the focus from where games are played to how they’re experienced.

Players can enjoy games across a variety of devices from consoles, to PCs, and even other devices through Cloud Gaming. While Microsoft’s strategy is promising, it isn’t without challenges.

A subscription-based model requires a constantly updating library that’s filled with titles that players want to play. Microsoft knows that, and its acquisition of big studios like Bethesda and Activision Blizzard will be a big part of it.

The Elder Scrolls 6 is still years away, with a projected release in early 2026. However, its potential as a timed Xbox and PC exclusive already positions it as a pivotal piece in Microsoft’s long-term strategy.