Is Starfield Exclusive to Xbox?

In the year 2330, humanity has spread to the stars, colonising countless planets and moons, leading us to Starfield, a game in which you'll get to play as a member of Constellation, a group of space explorers dedicated to discovering the unknown. As one of the most anticipated titles of the year, fans are wondering if Starfield is exclusive to Xbox.

Well, Microsoft has been heavily marketing Starfield as being an exclusive. The game has been featured in several Xbox marketing campaigns, and it has been listed as Xbox console exclusive on the Microsoft Store.

However, there is also some evidence that suggests that Starfield could be released on other platforms like PlayStation. Another example, the game's Steam page does not mention any exclusivity deals. Additionally, Bethesda has said that it is "committed to making our games available to as many players as possible."

Is Starfield Xbox exclusive?

Credit: Bethesda

Since Microsoft acquired Bethesda Softworks in 2021, this has led to speculation about whether the game will be available on PlayStation consoles, especially PlayStation 5. However, Starfield will launch as an exclusive title for Xbox this September, including Game Pass services.

And while there's been no official confirmation from Microsoft or Bethesda about Starfield eventually making its way to PlayStation consoles, Microsoft's recent focus on Xbox exclusivity makes it unlikely that Starfield will ever be available on PlayStation. It's disappointing news for PlayStation fans as the vast and open-ended game that gives players the freedom to explore the galaxy however they see fit won't be available on PlayStation 5.

Xbox-exclusive Starfield would be a sign that Microsoft is serious about competing with Sony in the console wars. The Windows company recently emerged victorious in its Activision Blizzard acquisition case against the FTC in the US, and it is clear that the company is looking to build a strong library of exclusive games in future.

Will Starfield be on Xbox One?

Starfield is a high-detailed game that's developed specifically with the Xbox Series X|S in mind. This just shows that Bethesda is looking to utilise the console's hardware to its fullest. So if you play on Xbox One, you cannot play Starfield unless you stream the game via Microsoft's Cloud Gaming service.

Credit: Bethesda

The Xbox One console has been around for quite some time, and making Starfield available on an old console would likely provide players with a subpar experience that could lead to poor reviews and ratings, a possibility that both Microsoft and Bethesda wouldn't want to see happen.

So to be on the safe side, they're releasing the game on a powerful console that can handle the stunning visuals that Starfield has to offer. For players who have been looking forward to getting their hands on Starfield, picking up Microsoft's Xbox Series X|S is the way to go.

However, players who aren't looking to get the latest Xbox console can still enjoy Starfield on Xbox One via streaming. This way, resource-intensive assets of the game, like graphics, will be taken care of by cloud servers rather than relying on the outdated and underpowered hardware of Xbox One.

Is Starfield best played on Xbox?

Starfield is easily Microsoft's most anticipated game of the year. It was a prominent part of the company's Xbox Showcase during Summer Game Fest 2023. While many are disappointed that it won't be coming to PlayStation consoles, Microsoft's acquisition of Bethesda ensures that Xbox platforms will enjoy Bethesda games exclusively moving forward.

With that said, Starfield is best played on Xbox Series X|S and a PC with powerful hardware. Gamers on either Xbox or PC will have two options to enjoy the game. They can choose to pay $70 to buy the complete game or play the game with an active Xbox Game Pass subscription when it launches.

Game Pass Ultimate currently costs $15 a month and gives players access to over 100 games on Xbox and PC, as well as Xbox Live Gold, which allows for online play. Once subscribed, players can get discounts on certain titles as well as other small perks.

The game's official synopsis reads: “Starfield is the first new universe in over 25 years from Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning creators of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 4. In this next-generation role-playing game set amongst the stars, create any character you want and explore with unparalleled freedom as you embark on an epic journey to answer humanity’s greatest mystery.”

And that's it! We have plenty of Starfield content to get you ready for release day, including primers on how crafting will work, how to customise your ship, and what you can expect from Starfield companions.

For all things Starfield, stick with us at Starfield Portal.