Shubham Sawarkar
Editor’s note: This article is part of Day 1 (June 22, 2023) of the FTC vs. Microsoft and Activision Blizzard trial.
Xbox Game Studios head Matt Booty has addressed the ongoing speculation surrounding a potential PlayStation release for The Outer Worlds 2, stating that Microsoft has yet to make a definitive decision on the matter. Booty’s comments came during his testimony in the trial between Microsoft/Activision Blizzard and the Federal Trade Commission, where he was questioned about the future of Bethesda games on PlayStation following Microsoft’s acquisition of ZeniMax.
The FTC lawyer specifically inquired about previously released Bethesda titles such as Deathloop, Ghostwire: Tokyo, and The Outer Worlds, seeking clarification on their availability on PlayStation platforms. Booty clarified that these games were already committed to a PlayStation release prior to the acquisition, emphasizing that Microsoft honors existing commitments made by acquired studios.
However, when the discussion shifted to the highly anticipated sequel, The Outer Worlds 2, Booty revealed that a final decision regarding its exclusivity on Xbox consoles had not been reached. He explained that Microsoft typically takes into consideration the established communities and fan bases on other platforms when determining the future availability of franchises. Since the original The Outer Worlds launched on PlayStation, there remains a possibility that Xbox may opt to continue the franchise’s presence on Sony’s console.
It is important to note that no official announcement regarding a PlayStation release for The Outer Worlds 2 has been made thus far. The game was initially unveiled at E3 2021, with the reveal being specifically tied to Xbox Series X|S and PC platforms. Furthermore, the official website of Obsidian Entertainment, the developer behind the game, also explicitly mentions its development for these platforms.
Booty’s statement leaves room for interpretation, with potential scenarios including timed console exclusivity for Xbox, a simultaneous multiplatform release, or even the absence of a PlayStation version altogether. While it appears likely that Obsidian is currently focused on developing The Outer Worlds 2 exclusively for Xbox consoles, Booty’s comment suggests that Xbox has not completely ruled out the possibility of expanding the game’s availability to PlayStation in the future.
