According to a Microsoft spokesperson, a full-fledged PS5 version ofRedfallwas not “pulled” from production, and the studio allegedly expanded its PlayStation footprint following its acquisition of ZeniMax and its subsidiaries. It didn’t take long for Microsoft to come up with a retort after Harvey Smith, the director of Arkane Studios, claimed that his team was instructed to forego the Sony console and focus on PC and Xbox.
While it’s been plainly stated from the get-go that Arkane’s new flagship title wasn’t coming out on PS5, the recent news that aPS5 version ofRedfallwas canceledcaught some people by surprise. Since it was coming from Harvey Smith specifically, who is renowned for his work on immersive sims such asDeus ExandDishonored, the claims were all the more striking and forced Microsoft to address them.
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Microsoft spoke with GameSpot to provide a response to Harvey Smith’s claims that Arkane was directed to focus specifically on PC and Xbox platforms for the launch ofRedfall. The spokesperson said that “[Microsoft hadn’t] pulled any games from PlayStation,” pointing to the fact that two high-profile ZeniMax releases,Ghostwire: TokyoandDeathloop,came out as PS5 exclusives even though the studio had already been acquired. The spokesperson highlighted Microsoft’s expansion of accessibility forMinecraft, claiming that its approach to ZeniMax properties is precisely the same: extending their reach irrespective of the platform they’re on.
The crux of the issue has much to do withMicrosoft’s ongoing acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Harvey Smith’s comments may have been taken out of context or perhaps misinterpreted in a way, as he claims Arkane was told that there’d be “no PlayStation 5. Now we’re gonna do Game Pass, Xbox, and PC.” This could provide ample ammunition to Sony’s lawyers as they attempt to dismantle Microsoft’s argumentation.
It doesn’t help that Microsoft and Sony have been trading blows over the issue for some time now. Just recently, Microsoft said thatSony could make aCall of Dutycompetitorin 10 years' time, disregarding much of the context that led toCall of Duty’s current popularity in the first place. Taking that into account, it is possible that Sony will respond in some way, and Microsoft is simply trying to control the narrative with the featured statement.
It is perhaps telling that the spokesperson didn’t actually deny anything Smith said, choosing instead to focus on things that happened along the way. ThoughSony “lost control” in its opposition to Microsoft, according to industry professionals, Harvey Smith’s comments may lead to a new angle for its legal team to focus on, which may yet put a dampener on Microsoft’s plans for Activision Blizzard.
Redfalllaunches on May 2 on PC and Xbox Series X/S.
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