Sony has confirmed that both Deathloop and GhostWire: Tokyo will be timed exclusives for the PlayStation 5. Both games will be published by Bethesda Softworks, best known for the Elder Scrolls franchise and Fallout. Bethesda was purchased by Microsoft earlier this year for $7.5 billion, putting the future of these two PS5 exclusives in doubt.
This isn't to say that the PS5 doesn't already have some solid video games to its name. The console launched with powerhouse games like Spider-Man Miles Morales and the remake of Demon's Souls, both of which have received praise from critics and fans alike. Sony is so proud of the PS5's burgeoning library that it even renamed several London Underground stations after select games to celebrate the launch of the console in the UK. Commuters could stop at stations like Gran Turismo 7 Sisters and Ratchet & Clankaster gate, taking part in a charming marketing gimmick that must have confused some first-time visitors to the city.
Earlier today Sony launched a brief video on the PlayStation YouTube channel outlining several video games that fans can look forward to exploring on the new console. Some pre-existing titles like Demon's Souls were included, but there was a strong emphasis on upcoming titles like Horizon Forbidden West and Ratchet & Clank. Deathloop and GhostWire: Tokyo both featured in this list, confirming that in spite of the Xbox buyout, both games will be releasing as PS5 exclusives first. The video mentioned that neither title would appear on other consoles until at least a year after their PS5 releases, though they will be available right away on PC as well. Microsoft did promise to honor the exclusivity deal when it bought Bethesda back in September, but a lot can change in three months, and the confirmation is sure to be a relief to some anxious PS5 owners.
As reassuring as this news is, Sony fans who enjoy some of the many franchises under Bethesda's roof still have ample cause for concern. During an interactive entertainment conference held last month, Xbox's chief financial officer made it clear that Microsoft is planning to capitalize on the Bethesda buyout in a big way, assuring listeners that future Bethesda games will either be "first or better or best" on Xbox consoles, indicating that if they aren't timed console exclusives at least, they'll offer the best value when played on one of Microsoft's machines. The exact specifics of how Microsoft will make that happen are still unclear, and will surely vary from game to game.
There's still a lot that's up in the air about the sale, as is the case with just about every major company buyout that hits the video game industry. As nerve-wracking as it is for PlayStation owners, some video game fans still have cause for hope from the sale; Fallout enthusiasts in particular are crossing their fingers for a sequel to Fallout New Vegas now that Bethesda and Obsidian have been reunited under the Microsoft banner. Whatever the future may hold, be it Fallout New Vegas 2 or Elder Scrolls 6, at least PS5 fans will still be able to enjoy Deathloop and GhostWire: Tokyo when they launch as possibly the last Bethesda exclusives Sony will ever see.
Source: PlayStation