Science & Tech · Big Tech & Internet · 3 hrs ago
Xbox Surveys Fans on Making Major Game Franchises Exclusive
Microsoft is surveying a subset of Xbox Insiders about possible changes to which consoles get its games.
The questions imagine future games in Fallout, The Elder Scrolls and Minecraft being available on Xbox consoles but not PlayStation or Nintendo consoles.
One question considers making all Xbox-developed franchises except Call of Duty exclusive on console.
The scenarios are hypothetical, and the survey is not a decision to change policy.
Call of Duty is excluded from one scenario, likely because Microsoft agreed in 2023 to keep it on several platforms for 10 years.
Xbox leaders have said they will review the company’s approach to exclusivity, but whether any games will become exclusive remains unclear.
Microsoft is reportedly surveying selected Xbox users about making major game franchises exclusive to Xbox consoles.
The hypothetical scenarios include Fallout and The Elder Scrolls, as well as all Xbox-developed franchises except Call of Duty.
One scenario would stop sales and content updates for Minecraft on PlayStation and Nintendo consoles, while leaving existing purchases unaffected.
The survey asks where players would play exclusive content or whether they would skip it.
The articles say the survey does not establish that Microsoft will change its plans.
- Who
- Microsoft is surveying a subset of Xbox users, including some Xbox Insiders.
- What
- The survey tests reactions to making some or all Xbox-developed franchises console-exclusive, with Call of Duty excluded from one scenario.
- When
- The survey was reported on October 14, 2026.
- Where
- The survey was distributed to selected Xbox users; specific franchises named include Fallout and The Elder Scrolls.
- Why
- The survey appears to assess fan reactions and purchasing intent. Microsoft has said it will reevaluate its approach to exclusivity.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Microsoft signed a 10-year agreement with Nintendo, Nvidia, and Sony to keep Call of Duty on a variety of platforms.
Asha Sharma and Matt Booty told employees that Xbox leadership would reevaluate its approach to exclusivity.
Reports described a survey asking selected Xbox users about hypothetical exclusivity for major franchises.
- Survey audience
- A subset of Xbox users, including Xbox Insiders
- Exception
- Call of Duty
- Franchises named
- Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, Minecraft, Doom, Diablo, and Physint
- Minecraft scenario
- No new PlayStation or Nintendo sales or content updates; existing purchases remain unaffected
- Survey timing
- Reported October 14, 2026
4 sources
Xbox Reportedly Surveys Users On Return to Full Exclusivity for its Games
Xbox Considers Making Fallout, Elder Scrolls, and Minecraft Exclusive
Xbox Polling Players on Whether Fallout, Elder Scrolls, or Even Minecraft Should Go Exclusive
Xbox Survey About Exclusives Includes A Nuclear Strategy, But Wait Just A Minute
What people are saying
Imagine it was announced that all future title releases from every Xbox-developed gaming franchise except Call of Duty will be console-exclusive to Xbox
For Minecraft only, existing titles would no longer be available for purchase on PlayStation or Nintendo consoles and would not receive any new content updates.
re-evaluate