Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has remained non-committal regarding the platform exclusivity of the highly anticipated The Elder Scrolls 6. When questioned at Gamescom, Sharma alluded to the strategic importance of exclusive content for platform growth, stating, "Every platform needs some form of exclusive experiences and content." She confirmed that games like Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution will be console exclusives for Xbox, emphasizing a balance with overall business health.
Despite these statements, Sharma offered a cryptic response when pressed about The Elder Scrolls 6's exclusivity, calling it "a beautiful game." Her comments come amidst reports of low morale and fears of further delays among Bethesda staff, stemming from recent layoffs that affected developers working on the title. Protestors even appeared at Bethesda's offices to voice their opposition to Sharma's decision to cut thousands of Xbox developers.
Microsoft's approach to exclusivity going forward involves honoring existing multiplatform agreements for previously announced titles. The Elder Scrolls 6, first revealed in 2018, has yet to confirm any platform details. However, documents surfaced during the Microsoft vs. FTC trial suggesting that The Elder Scrolls 6 was not planned for PlayStation 5.
Former Xbox head Phil Spencer previously stated in 2021 that exclusivity was not intended to "punish any other platform." At the time, he also hinted at The Elder Scrolls 6 potentially being an Xbox exclusive, saying that he wants to bring the "full complete package" of Xbox franchises to the platform. Spencer had previously championed a strategy of releasing more Xbox games on rival platforms to increase revenue, a shift that preceded Sharma's emphasis on the importance of exclusives.
The Elder Scrolls 6 was announced over eight years ago and currently has no confirmed release date or further details available.