Sorry PlayStation, But Starfield Just Isn't Ready For Other Consoles

There's been a lot of talk lately about whether Starfield will come to other consoles, namely PlayStation. With a number of recent Xbox exclusives going multi-platform and some open-ended comments from Xbox head Phil Spencer, there's good reason to believe that the notion isn't off the table. It's an interesting possibility, but Starfield isn't the best game to make the leap.

While having more people play Bethesda's space RPG sounds good, the truth is that Starfield may not be ready for other consoles right now. The game has received a lot of criticism for its poor performance and major gameplay issues, such as boring cities with generic characters and dull exploration on randomly generated planets. Even after a year since its release, with updates and a full DLC expansion, many problems still affect this space adventure. It's still an issue of contention whether Starfield is worth playing in 2025.

Is Starfield Coming To PlayStation?

A Starfield PlayStation Port Isn't Impossible

The biggest indication of a potential PlayStation port of Starfield comes from Phil Spencer's carefully chosen words about Starfield coming to other consoles. When asked if he could confirm that Starfield would be "staying put for the time being," Spencer said no, elaborating that there’s “no reason for [Spencer] to put a ring fence around any game."

In the past, this kind of move seemed impossible, but the gaming world is changing in a good way. The old rivalry between Xbox and PlayStation seems to be dying down, and both companies are willing to work together more. Although that has meant standard ports so far, the Game Pass service and its portability to other devices might factor into Microsoft's future plans. It’s now available on devices like Amazon Fire Sticks and PCs, and it’s even coming to handheld devices soon.

Although Phil Spencer denied any current plans to bring the service to other consoles in a 2023 Windows Central interview, the idea of Game Pass reaching PlayStation doesn’t seem as unlikely as it once did. This shift could give more gamers access to Xbox games and highlight the direction Microsoft is taking towards a more open gaming future. While it seems unlikely for a real partnership to happen, there is a real chance for exclusives to be a thing of the past.

Why PlayStation Is The Wrong Move For Starfield

Starfield Still Needs So Much More

The idea of Starfield being available on PlayStation sounds appealing, as it could attract more players and bring in more money for Microsoft. However, this could actually harm the game and weaken the Xbox brand. Diverting resources to create a PlayStation version would take away from addressing Starfield's current problems. Even if Bethesda hires a separate team for the port, Bethesda still has to coordinate updates and fixes across different platforms, which could complicate things and slow down progress on fixing the game's main issues.

The development team should focus on improving and refining Starfield, not being sidetracked by making it run on another system. Additionally, Starfield being an Xbox exclusive is important — it encourages gamers to buy Xbox consoles. Microsoft might not feel as motivated to invest in its ongoing development and improvements if it were available on other platforms. The game could end up being just another title instead of a standout. Starfield needs Bethesda's full attention and Microsoft’s support rather than being split to cater to another console, even if it seems financially attractive.

What Starfield Needs To Succeed

Starfield Has A List Of Problems

Before Xbox considers a release of Starfield on multiple platforms, the game still needs to evolve. Right now, Starfield feels like a bunch of separate parts instead of a connected experience. Microsoft shouldn’t see dropping exclusivity as an easy way to escape the negativity surrounding a struggling game. Instead, it should focus on fixing the core issues Starfield has.

This means designing vibrant and lively cities, crafting memorable locations instead of generic ones, and letting players make choices that actually impact their experience. Starfield should aim to capture the charm and unique storytelling found in Bethesda's earlier hits like Skyrim and Fallout. The gameplay should feel like an adventure rather than a series of loading screens and repetitive tasks.

Additionally, the game’s options for romanceable characters limit player expression. It should feature a wider variety of companions, each with goals and loyalties, letting players form deeper relationships. Base-building also needs a major improvement, transforming it from a simplified version of Fallout 4 into something that feels significant and relevant to the player’s journey. Really, the list could go on and on.

Starfield isn't the game that should be ported over to PlayStation, a venture that should be reserved for games that are received well and don't rely on DLC to improve the whole package. For now, keeping the focus on critically acclaimed titles like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle coming to PlayStation will result in a stronger brand and foundation for the future. Starfield wasn't likely going to meet expectations, but it's debatable whether it met the standard set for games when it released.

Source: Windows Central