It seems like Microsoft is having to wage war on multiple fronts. PlayStation makers Sony is trying everything in its power to stop the merger from happening, claiming Microsoft’s advantage if the deal goes through. However, Microsoft also has noteworthy allies in their corner who will vouch for Xbox. Starfield maker Bethesda has taken more potshots at the PS makers as the latest event of a year-long ongoing legal fiasco. Pete Hines, the publishing head of Ubisoft, claimed that the game’s exclusivity to Xbox has been a great advantage.

As Microsoft faces Federal Trade Commission for further hearings, it will need all the support it can to nullify Sony’s motivations.

Sony wouldn’t let go

Since January 2022, when the tech giant Microsoft announced a merger deal with Call of Duty developer Activision-Blizzard, Sony hasn’t pulled any punches to make sure it didn’t happen. Claiming that such a deal would inevitably offer an advantage to Microsoft, Sony petitioned relentlessly to the community to look down upon the merger proposals. Following Sony’s allegations that post the merger, Microsoft may restrict access to games like CoD and Overwatch to PlayStation users.

On the other hand, Microsoft has maintained that Sony doesn’t have any shortage of intellectual property and the merger would not affect them. Despite this, Sony’s clamor has prompted the Federal Trade Commission to put a restraining order on the merger. Now, Bethesda Studios, the developers of the most anticipated game of the year Starfield, came forward with words that may make a stronger case for Microsoft.

Read more Soapbox: PlayStation’s Had Enough ‘Exclusive Success’, It’s Time for Xbox To Shine With Starfield in 2023

Starfield managed to benefit by keeping goals achievable

In a recent interview, Bethesda publishing boss Hines said that “Focusing on fewer platforms has been a big benefit to that team“. Hines also acknowledged that if Starfield was to support PlayStation, it wouldn’t be coming out in nine months. Following Microsoft taking over Bethesda in 2021, Starfield was announced exclusively for Xbox. With Sony looking for any openings, Bethesda comes as a backup.

Hines couldn’t help but indicate that if Starfield was on PS5, it wouldn’t see a release date in September. By claiming a helping hand from Microsoft, Bethesda would help the acquisition to have more justifications. Microsoft also previously claimed that Starfield would have the least number of issues if it were released even before. Social media wasn’t far behind to remind the community that Sony also has taken over many studios to release exclusive titles.

With both sides having their take on the matter, the community waits to see what new drama transpires.

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