Harvey Smith, studio director at Arkane Austin, has revealed that Redfall was originally in the works for the PS5 in addition to PC and Xbox Series X/S, but was scrapped after Microsoft purchased ZeniMax Media.
Speaking with IGN France, Smith revealed that Microsoft told the studio following its acquisition of the Bethesda parent company that it was only going to focus on PC, Xbox and Game Pass.
We were acquired by Microsoft and it was a change with capital C. They came in and they said ‘No PlayStation 5, we’re focusing on Xbox, PC and the Game Pass. It’s not very serious, it’s even a good decision I think. [It helps to] support Game Pass and have one less platform to worry about, one less complexity.
Game Pass has a ton of players, it could become our biggest game thanks to 30 million, where I can’t remember the exact number, of subscribers.
Redfall is scheduled to launch on May 2, 2023 for PC and Xbox Series X/S. Recently, Sony claimed that other projects under the Bethesda banner, such as Starfield and The Elder Scrolls VI, were not originally planned as Xbox-exclusives prior to Microsoft acquiring the company.
[Source – IGN France via Google Translate]