PlayStation Boss Jim Ryan Admits Starfield Xbox Exclusivity Is Not ‘Anti-Competitive’
PlayStation president Jim Ryan has admitted he doesn’t consider Starfield’s Xbox console exclusivity “anti-competitive.”
A PlayStation chief took the stand during the ongoing trial between Microsoft and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). During the testimony, I was asked if there was anything wrong with Arkane Studios’ Redfall and Besttheda Game Studios’ Starfield being Xbox console exclusives.
“I don’t like it, but I have no fundamental objections,” Ryan replied. When asked what he thought about Starfield skipping his PlayStation 5 and being exclusive to the console version of the Xbox Series X/S, he replied: “I don’t like it, but I don’t consider it anti-competitive.”
Console exclusivity, particularly related to Call of Duty, is at the center of the FTC’s lawsuit against Microsoft’s proposed $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The paper cited Bethesda’s new space role-playing game, Starfield, which will not be released on the PlayStation, as an example of Microsoft’s actions after Bethesda acquired parent company ZeniMax. Microsoft has promised to keep Call of Duty multi-platform for at least 10 years if it acquires Activision Blizzard. Ryan has expressed concern about the fate of Call of Duty if Microsoft gains control of the series.
Ryan’s comments were released on the third day of the trial. A lot of new information has come out in the last few days. This includes Microsoft seriously considering acquiring studios like Bungie, IO Interactive and Sega to fill the content gap.
If you want to learn more about the ongoing trials, check out our daily recaps. If you’d like to see more of his previous trial dates, check out his Day 1 and his Day 2 analysis parts.
Taylor is a reporter for IGN. You can follow her on her Twitter @TayNixster.
