Fallout 5 may be years away, but with Microsoft buying Bethesda and all of its studios, is it possible that it could be solely released on Xbox or PC platforms?
The post-apocalyptic RPG has been closely aligned with Microsoft for some time, with Fallout 4 being Bethesda's first title to support mods on console.
Could the next Fallout game skip PS5?
Fallout 5: Will It Come To PlayStation?
There's no denying the franchise's popularity, despite recent stumbles with Fallout 76's disappointing launch (something that it has, to its credit, largely recovered from) and Fallout 4 not being the next-gen RPG that so many were craving.
Still, with Microsoft paying the bills, there's every chance that the devs will be able to build a much more immersive experience - but will it come to PS5?
In an interview with Bloomberg about the acquisition of Bethesda and what it means for games releasing on other platforms (i.e. not Xbox, PC, or Game Pass), Phil Spencer said: “we’ll take other consoles on a case-by-case basis."
Considering Microsoft already publishes Minecraft on multiple platforms (itself a $2.5 billion purchase for the company), it's not unreasonable to expect that you could still play Fallout 5 on the PlayStation 5.
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That's not to say it's a certainty, though. With customers looking for reasons to buy an Xbox console, there's every chance Microsoft break with their recent messaging to ensure players can only play the likes of Fallout 5 on an Xbox system or Windows PC.
In recent years, though, the company has attempted to push player choice in where they play their games.
Then there's Microsoft's history with Nintendo, with Banjo and Kazooie arriving as Super Smash Bros Ultimate DLC, and both Ori games arriving on the Switch.
While it's unlikely that the Switch is able to run a full, next-gen RPG from Bethesda, there's every chance of a lower-spec port, or even older Fallout titles, making that jump.