Sony boss Jim Ryan doesn't like Starfield exclusivity, but doesn't deem it anti-competitive
PlayStation head Jim Ryan has admitted that, while he does not like Starfield being an Xbox console exclusive, he doesn't consider it to be anti-competitive.
Microsoft's court battle with US antitrust agency the FTC continued last night, with testimony from Ryan. During a pre-recorded video regarding Microsoft's ongoing bid to purchase Activision Blizzard, the exec shared further insight on the takeover, and the impact it could have on Sony.
When asked directly if he had any issues with Redfall or Starfield being exclusive, Ryan replied: «I don't like it but it's not anti-competitive» (thanks, IGN)
He did add, however, that he initially expected these releases not to be exclusive as «pretty much every other Bethesda game had been multiplatform» prior to Microsoft's acquisition of Bethesda in 2021.
Ryan previously revealed he originally believed the merger «was not an Xbox exclusivity play».
In an email dated 20th January, 2022, the exec wrote: «They're thinking bigger than that, and they have the cash to make moves like this. I've spent a fair bit of time with both Phil [Spencer, boss of Xbox] and Bobby [Kotick, boss of Activision Blizzard] over the past day. I'm pretty sure we will continue to see COD on PS for many years to come».
However, he stated last night that his view changed after an email exchange with Spencer in August 2022.
The contents of this exchange, and what exactly caused this change of view, remain a mystery for now, but Ryan said it «set the alarm bells ringing» for Sony.
«We believe that Microsoft intends to use Call of Duty to disadvantage PlayStation in terms of the availability or the manner in which the game is made available on PlayStation consoles, and to drive PlayStation gamers to the
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