The absence of a native PS5 version of Minecraft is reportedly due to Sony’s reluctance to provide Microsoft with development kits, as revealed by Xbox CEO Phil Spencer.
This information came to light during Microsoft’s legal dispute with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over the Activision Blizzard acquisition.
Sony’s Reluctance to Provide PS5 Development Kits
In his deposition last week, Spencer stated that Sony could have easily sent PS5 development kits to Microsoft, just like they did to other publishers. He further claimed that Sony put Microsoft at a disadvantage by providing development kits to other studios while withholding them from Xbox Studios working on multiplatform games.
The FTC has argued that Microsoft has had nearly three years to develop a Minecraft PS5 version. In response, Spencer stated that the company had to explore ways to “maximize the success of Minecraft.” The game is currently playable on the PS5 via backwards compatibility, and Microsoft has since released Minecraft Legends on the PS5.
Sony’s Future Plans Regarding Development Kits
In a recent development, Sony admitted that it would not be willing to send PS6 development kits to Activision if the company is acquired by Microsoft. This statement raises questions about the future development of Call of Duty on next-gen platforms.
This situation highlights the complexities and challenges that can arise in the gaming industry due to corporate decisions and competition between major players. It remains to be seen how this will affect future game development and releases on different platforms.
Well, let’s just hope that Sony’s going to provide the kits soon enough. If you’re still waiting for that to happen (and it’s probably gonna take a while), just download Minecraft 1.20 on your mobile.