Will Elder Scrolls 6 Skip PS5? Xbox Boss Won't Say

Ever since Microsoft snapped up Bethesda back in 2021, one question has loomed over the gaming world: will The Elder Scrolls 6 ever grace a PlayStation console? We still don't have a definitive answer, but Xbox CEO Asha Sharma just gave us a big, cheeky hint.

During a chat with the BBC at Gamescom this week, Sharma was asked directly if making The Elder Scrolls 6 an Xbox console exclusive is a "priority." Her response? A smile and a coy, "It's a beautiful game." That's the kind of non-answer that sends fans into a frenzy—and honestly, we're reading between the lines too.

But before that eyebrow-raising moment, Sharma talked about exclusives in general, and she made it clear that Microsoft isn't backing away from them. "We are increasingly going to be one of the largest platforms in the world," she said. "Every platform needs some form of exclusive experiences and content." She pointed to Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution as upcoming console exclusives, adding, "We're going to do the best we can to continue to do that, all in context of the business being healthy, and so we have to balance that."

So, what does that mean for Elder Scrolls 6? Well, it's been eight years since the game was announced back in 2018, and we still have no release date or official details. Bethesda didn't confirm platforms at the time, but documents from the Microsoft vs. FTC case later revealed that it wasn't planned for PS5. That's a pretty strong hint, right?

And let's not forget the words of former Xbox boss Phil Spencer, who said in 2021 that making games exclusive to Xbox isn't about punishing other platforms. He also hinted at Elder Scrolls 6 exclusivity, saying, "In order to be on Xbox, I want us to be able to bring the full complete package of what we have. And that would be true when I think about The Elder Scrolls 6."

But times have changed. Spencer left Xbox earlier this year, and one of Sharma's first moves was to emphasize how important exclusives are to the business. Interestingly, Gears of War: E-Day—which launches this October—was reportedly planned for PS5 before Microsoft decided to keep it console-exclusive to Xbox. So the pattern is shifting back toward exclusivity.

That said, there's a lot of tension behind the scenes. Sharma recently visited Bethesda's offices, and protestors showed up to criticize her over layoffs that affected thousands of Xbox developers, including some working on Elder Scrolls 6. Staffers are reportedly dealing with "crushing morale" and fears of more delays. It's a messy situation, but the game itself is still in development.

So, will Elder Scrolls 6 be the ultimate Xbox exclusive? Sharma's smile and that "beautiful game" comment suggest she knows something she's not telling us. With no release date in sight, we'll have to keep waiting—but this little tease is enough to keep the speculation alive.

What do you think? Will The Elder Scrolls 6 ever see a PlayStation release, or is it destined to be an Xbox forever? Let us know in the comments!