Bethesda Partners Directly With PlayStation On Strange DOOM: The Dark Ages Trailer

They’re probably doing this just to make sure PlayStation gamers know it is coming to PS.

@Medic_alert
It definitely feels and seems that way with their actions.
They definitely don’t seem to be giving anyone a special reason to buy an Xbox console.

The last thread is game pass on Xbox consoles that probably keeps some loyal that have Xbox consoles and some sales still happening but it a lot lower numbers.

Microsoft are chasing the money. The most money is to be made on PC, then PlayStation, then Nintendo, and lastly Xbox. The Xbox console, and Xbox gamer, has become an afterthought for Microsoft.

Let's be honest with ourselves for a moment; you're lucky if you can find an Xbox console, and Spencer himself said that Game Pass was not right for everyone. This is just another example of why I don't see a future for Xbox as a console, they just don't care for us in the slightest...

Is it anything more insidious than the trailer, @Kezelpaso? Is it possible that PlayStation has some exclusive content too...?

We get it on gamepass and they get mentioned in the trailer!!
Fair trade 👏

The series X is fully moving to a gamepass console. Pushing the game on PlayStation to get sales is where MS will make the most money from the title.

The base ps5 sold tons, so it's the target that most devs aim for. Not series s, not the switch. And with the ps5pro, it's the console devs want to show out for. Things could've been so much better for xb if they got rid of parity clause, and treated the series s as a base model, and the series x as the pro. Still can. But after this, xb, it's users, are all second class. Treat the loyal users who bought into their ecosystem as a second thought, and kowtow to the ones paying money, I guess.

To be fair the bulk of the money they will make will probably be on PlayStation and PC. Why would they hype it up on Xbox when no one is going to buy it there, everyone is playing it on GP.

Corporation say "You are special" in 2025 NICE

I imagine this is simply because the majority of sales will be on PS, where as xbox/PC has it on gamepass. The money made from those sales will by far outweigh any additional folks signing up for one month using a discount code to play it and then cancelling. Everyone else that already has a sub, well, they already have that money so why go searching there.

It's a non issue for me. In fact I champion this. It's nice to see that they're focusing efforts on all fronts. Let's not forget Game Pass is on Xbox and a lot of players will be playing this through the service. It makes sense for them to cater to those that will be paying full whack with no other choice (via that platform). Really, it's not a big deal imo.

I agree, @FraserG, but I cannot be the only one to have the thought cross my mind...

@awp69 This is what's happening.

I understand your point, @Kaloudz, except Microsoft are not focusing efforts on all fronts. They are very clearly singling out the PlayStation as being their focus. If that's not the case, where is the trailer that heralds the Xbox in a similar vein?

I get it, in your eyes, Microsoft can do no wrong, but this is a poor decision on how to treat your most loyal gamers. It is at the very least cack-handed. Why was there a need to single out the PlayStation gamer? Or do Microsoft think they're a little bit dense, and need to have things explained to them very slowly and using words with no more than two syllables? Your average PlayStation gamer is going to be just as switched on to the coming of Doom as the Xbox gamer is, and stuff like this just shows the lack of regard that Microsoft has for the Xbox gamer. You know, the loyal Xbox gamer that has stuck with them year in year out, and lined the Microsoft coffers...

Question, @Kezelpaso; slightly off topic, but only slightly! I have received both my Doom controller and my Elite 2 Doom controller, but the other day it was said that there was some sort of Easter egg to do with at least the standard controller. Do we know what that Easter egg is now...?

I'm not suggesting it is anti Xbox, @themightyant. However, it is easy to argue that the advert is pro PlayStation. When you treat the two differently, one is always going to feel that they have been treated unjustly...

@Fiendish-Beaver Ah c'mon man, I'm not that bad that MS can do no wrong in my eyes. I call them out when they screw up, in fact, I was heavily critical of them when they were giving us next to nothing from 21/22. Furthermore to how they handled their studios and so on.

They are no saints, don't get me wrong, but as a consumer, they're pulling all the right moves as far as I'm concerned lately - bar one or two issues here and there.

I just don't see this as a problem. We Xbox players get the game at no cost outside the cost of our subscription fee. There's a large quantity of players that will more than likely play via GP. It makes perfect sense for MS to cater to PS and (is the game coming to?) Steam more so than us, because they're going to make up the majority of cash-to-till payments.

It's a non issue as far as I'm concerned - and really, it's just a video :/

@themightyant
That’s is true, and Xbox rarely advertise anything Xbox consoles or console game pass related, especially to the masses or general public.
I feel Xbox consoles and game pass on Xbox consoles are just a thing in the background now that drifts along as it is and makes a bit of money but not worth pushing to the masses or general public.
Those Xbox console days are way gone.
But the series x in form factor and with quick resume is still my favourite console, but overall has lost its position to me as best place to play which now goes to the PS5 Pro if you are a visual and performance perfectionist which I am.

Letting Sony pay for the marketing is not a bad strategy.

Microsoft's strategy coming out of the ABK deal is to try to get Microsoft games on EVERYTHING. Yes, Sony can bleat about how their version of Forza Horizon or Doom Dark Ages is the best version, but they're still lining their rival's pockets.

Summer Game Fest 2026, Microsoft could leave Sony in the dust by the simple fact all of Sony's big third party announcements... are Microsoft's games.

@Fiendish-Beaver they have been marketing the game very heavily on Xbox/Gamepass since its announcement. One thing that doesn’t mention the Xbox base and they throw a fit? I have a very firm understanding that my Series X is mostly a Gamepass vehicle and I am ok with that. It’s been great recently. Gamers seem very fragile nowadays. Offended by everything.

Big money move by Xbox

I wouldn't be surprised if Sony hasn't paid Bethesda to do this trailer video, in which case it's more dosh for Xbox

@ValentineMeikin Microsoft is also lining their rivals pockets. Sony doesn't have to develop the games, but gets their 30% cut

@LogicStrikesAgain and so they should. They built a marketplace that requires servers and storage for all the games that they have stored on their infrastructure - and they ain't cheap to run, manage, and maintain. If anyone wants a piece of that, they should absolutely pay the toll. Will they make money on top of that? Of course. They're not in the business to break even.

@LogicStrikesAgain

Microsoft is also lining their rivals pockets. Sony doesn't have to develop the games, but gets their 30% cut

It's no different to how Sony is lining Steam's pockets via their PC ports or in extreme cases Microsoft's,with their grand total of two games they have on Xbox🙃.

Hmm, publishing games on other platforms is one thing but if they start prioritising those over Xbox, then the end of Xbox hardware could be even closer.

Can't see that many new Xbox converts coming in the future. Current owners are about it, as it stands. Abandon loyal customers, chasing extra bucks, at your peril.

@MasterTanookiChief
"Gamers seem very fragile nowadays"

I think in this case at least, it's more like insecurity - fuel to the fire that MS may pull the plug on Xbox hardware.

@GeeForce any one of them may pull the plug one day. Being upset by maybes and what ifs is wild.

@Sol4ris @Kaloudz You’re both absolutely right, i wasn’t claiming otherwise, though. I was only reacting to someone who said: “Yes, Sony can bleat about how their version of Forza Horizon or Doom Dark Ages is the best version, but they're still lining their rival's pockets.”

Which is why i said that Microsoft is also lining their rivals pockets. He kinda makes it seem as if it goes only one way, but it goes both ways

You completely miss the point, @MasterTanookiChief, and it has nothing to do with my fragility. The point is that Microsoft are directly appealing to the PlayStation gamer, and ignoring the Xbox gamer. The Xbox gamer should be first and foremost in their minds because it is they that are the most loyal. There is absolutely no need to single out the PlayStation gamer in this way. They only needed to put out a trailer. There was no need to identify the PlayStation as their most important target. Basically, doing so is disrespectful to the Xbox gamer.

As for it being on the Xbox dashboard, well that's not the same as going to the lengths of putting out a video appealing to the PlayStation gamer, and secondly, is also on the PlayStation Store front page too.

So, it's not about fragility, it's about being respectful...

The video, directly appeals to the PlayStation gamer, @Kaloudz, and effectively elevates their importance above that of the Xbox gamer. In doing so, Microsoft are flat out being disrespectful to their most loyal customer.

Ultimately, there was absolutely no need for Microsoft to make this video in this way. Had they put out a straightforward trailer for the game, it would have treated both the Xbox gamer, and the PlayStation gamer, equally. Instead, Microsoft have, at the very least given the impression that the PlayStation is their more important target, and that is, as I say, disrespectful...

They did not need to make a video that singles out the PlayStation gamer, @themightyant. A straightforward trailer would have done just the same thing. This particular video has given the appearance that the PlayStation gamer is of more importance than the Xbox gamer because Bethesda have directly partner with Sony on this. Where is the bespoke video for Xbox? I'm astounded that you are unable to see the disparity.

As for the dashboard, firstly, Doom is on the front page of the PlayStation Store front, so it is highly visible, and secondly, had Microsoft wanted, they could have just as easily paid for the game to be more prominent on the PlayStation has they want to, and that would likely have cost less than making some flashy video...

I agree as an xbox series x owner the specific promotion felt a bit weird. We xbox console owners should not forget though that we are going to be playing this game for free through game pass ultimate, while on PS5 they will have to pay 70 or 80 euros(i am from Europe) to play it. Same thing goes with many other great first party games, some of which are still exclusive to the series consoles and pc like avowed which by the way is excellent and south of midnight which is also very good,starfield etc,etc.If you put aside the "console wars" mentality that exists for decades and seriously think about it the series consoles have the strongest support than any other console at the moment being also the greatest value for money a consumer can find these days. Why buy a Ps5 when i can play every Microsoft first party game day one and for free on my xbox console plus loads of excellent third party games(clair obscure for example) some of them also day one on gamepass. Yes Microsoft wants to make money like everyone else, Nintendo for example is putting out games at prices way above average but if you think about it Microsoft's new strategy benefits the xbox console owners more than anybody else and my opinion is that maybe because they can afford it, their xbox platform(series consoles) is by far the most consumer friendly out there.

@Fiendish-Beaver I just think it's very simple. PS can only buy the game outright to play it. Xbox players will likely be playing it on Game Pass. It makes the most sense to throw some bones to the demographic that's going to be bringing in the most money. PS and PC will bring in the most copies sold simply because we Xbox fans have Game Pass.

I don't see anything disrespectful about it. It's just a video. I hate that we live in an age where things as silly as this (and this isn't just aimed at you) cause any form of outrage :/ If it's not pixel counting, it's frame rate counting, if it's not frame rate counting, it's performance comparing, if it's not performance comparing, it's never ending.

It makes sense. PlayStation are the “paying” consumers while Xbox are the “lunch pass” consumers. There’s a difference when it comes to profitability, which is being demonstrated with the Indiana Jones release. GamePass subscribers are already getting the game. They need to market it to the people actually buying the game.

I think you can justifiably aim that at me, @Kaloudz, because it has annoyed me. I do find it disrespectful. You don't have to be nice all the time! 😉

@Fiendish-Beaver that whole speech sounded fragile and “me me me”. From somebody that games majority of the time on Xbox and has been since the original Xbox, I don’t need Xbox to make me feel special. That just sounds absurd and extremely fragile, entitled and pampered.

@Fiendish-Beaver I was once told that it never hurts to be nice, but it always hurts someone else not to be ❤️ We will just file this under the growing list of things me and you have to agree to disagree on 🤣

@BacklogBrad but Sony don't Microsoft would pay for the adverstizing makeung the game n porting it So y just getting free money on the side lol

Then you completely miss my point, @MasterTanookiChief. This is not about me alone. This is about you and everyone else that games on an Xbox and sees it as their place to play games. What this video shows, is that Microsoft is shifting its focus away from the Xbox, and eying the money that it can make elsewhere. This video is not the only thing that Microsoft have been doing recently that demonstrates this, but is just the latest. Anyone that cannot see that this video is appealing to a different demographic, and is effectively prioritizing the PlayStation is missing this as another piece of the puzzle that marks the shift away from Xbox.

Mark my words, if there is another generation after this one, then that one will most definitely be the last. Microsoft are fast realising that the grass is most definitely bluer, and with that so will many Xbox gamers, and then the line will have been crossed, and there will be no way back.

Later this year, we will see just how badly Game Pass revenue is doing. Last year it rose by just 2% and that was despite CoD, and despite the increase in subscription fees. Unless Microsoft keep raising subscription fee prices, then that figure is more likely to drop than increase, and if too few people opt for the next Xbox (assuming there is one) then so too will the number of people subscribing to Game Pass. When the money coming in from Game Pass is less than it is costing to run the service, then Microsoft will stop supporting it, and with it, the one thing that people continually cite as being the biggest reason to be an Xbox gamer will either change to a first-party only service, or be shut down altogether, and then, once enough people abandon the new Game Pass, and switch over to PlayStation (on which Game Pass will then be available), so too will the Xbox console go the way of the dodo.

So it is not about me, it is about yet another thing that Microsoft is doing that is not favourable for the Xbox or the Xbox gamer. They are clear demonstrating where their priorities lie, and also where they see their future. Microsoft are not our friends, and people need to remember that. They have no regard for loyalty, or our feelings. They have only become so successful by knowing the market, when to push ahead, and when to change course. When the Xbox console, and Game Pass, become unviable, they will move on without hesitation...

@Fiendish-Beaver it’s really not that big of a deal. The next Xbox is already confirmed and rumored to be more PC hybrid which is great. They will continue to push Gamepass and their games on all platforms and we will all continue to reap the benefits. And no it has nothing to do with me, your argument does not include me. I am beyond happy rn with what Xbox is giving me with Gamepass. A commercial that doesn’t mention Xbox has zero effect on me. None.

Can you please show me where the next Xbox has been confirmed to be a PC console hybrid, @MasterTanookiChief?

We have been told that the next Xbox will be the biggest technical leap, but we have had absolutely nothing official other than that. And, in the words of Phil Spencer himself, plans change.

We now know that Nadella considered cancelling the Series generation before it was greenlit. With the Series generation having sold around 30 million, and with inability to buy one now in many Countries, where is the guarantee that the plan to release a next generation has not been changed?

I accept that you are comfortable with where Xbox is right now. That's absolutely fine, however, I would say that steps like this, taken by Microsoft, are precisely why you should be concerned, because to me, it shows a direction of travel, one that leads away from Xbox.

Personally, I accept where Xbox is right now, but only because I can play those exclusives I want to elsewhere. My issue to where Microsoft are heading next, and whether, as someone that buys a lot of games on my Xbox, it is still the wise thing to do. And therein lies the issue, we just don't know what the next 5 years holds for Xbox, and whether there is even a future when it comes to consoles...

I know this isn't surprising or a big deal here in 2025, but it's still just a little bit of a reminder where the Xbox ecosystem stands nowadays. sighs

@Fiendish-Beaver This is paid advertisement. Sony is still paying to spread the impression that big third-party titles are special or exclusive on PS, even if MS/Xbox owns them, apparently. Some "casuals" may know MS owns Bethesda but be unclear if DOOM is Xbox exclusive. Either way, Bethesda & MS get the ad money and higher sales of DOOM.

Do they get ad money, @theduckofdeath? The video has only been put on the Sony YouTube channel. It's just as possible that because Microsoft know that the game will sell heavily on the PlayStation, that Microsoft just agreed to produce one after Sony said they would post it. Money may not have changed hands in this instance as it is beneficial to both parties, and indeed will likely be more beneficial to Microsoft...

@Fiendish-Beaver Sony definitely had a hand in writing that script:

"Hey, Sony-guys!" LOL

No mention of Xbox whatsoever.

Yes, this video will likely boost sales of DOOM, benefiting MS and Sony (developer and platform, as is the norm). The appears more likely to be a paid spot (on Sony's part). They love to do this stuff (Callisto Protocol, CoD, etc.).

@Fiendish-Beaver oh you know just when Phil Spencer himself confirmed they are working on a new Xbox and handheld.

I’m never concerned about the future. Whatever comes next comes next. Even if they did decide to drop the next Xbox and handheld I would say “oh that sucks” and move on. As of right now, Xbox is great.

@LogicStrikesAgain People don't have unlimited time or money, so Xbox putting games on PS does not necessarily mean PS players are buying MORE games. They are certainly buying Xbox games, at the expense of Sony sales and third-party sales. The PS has become more crowded and competitive.

MS, on the other hand, is granted instantaneous access to an additional 60-75 million console units in exchange for 30% of software unit sales. MS did not have to manufacture, store, ship, or sell those units to customers. They did not take a monetary loss on the sale of those consoles.

MS and Sony compete for components to build those consoles, and MS also uses them in XCloud as well. NTM, "the console market isn't growing." If one side sells more, the other has to sell less. Regardless, neither side could ever sell more units than PS and Xbox combined.

Oh I have no doubt that Sony had a hand in it, @theduckofdeath, just not so sure they paid Microsoft for it. After all, both parties walk away well paid from this. Microsoft get the exposure they desire this way, so I don't necessarily see Sony had to twist their arm by paying for it...

Still waiting for you to show me where Microsoft have confirmed that they are making a PC-hybrid console, @MasterTanookiChief? That is what I asked!

And yes, I know Spencer has said they were working on a console, but everything is shifting at pace. I mean, there was a time that Microsoft said that exclusives were important to Xbox, and that's all changed now too...

@Fiendish-Beaver ahh the goal post move lol the next Xbox has been confirmed by Spencer. I said it is rumored to be more PC based. That is off internal reports and from what Spencer has been hinting at. Regardless there is a new console, a licensed handheld and an official handheld all in the works.

Everything shifts. PlayStation said the same thing now their games are porting to PC and at a faster rate with some even releasing day and date on PC. ***** changes again it’s not a big deal, Xbox is now one of (if not the) largest publishers in gaming. To say I should be concerned about them is silly.

The goal post didn't move at all, @MasterTanookiChief. You said something that I quired, that's all there is to it...

@Fiendish-Beaver I dunno man you went down a whole rabbit hole based off a commercial and your feels when all the evidence points to the contrary.

@Fiendish-Beaver Microsoft/Xbox owning Bethesda doesn't change anything from Sony's perspective of a platform dealing with a third-party publisher. Bethesda would continue to be treated as any other third-party publisher and that ad was targeted solely to Sony PlayStation platform at added expense.

That video was the kind of thing that happens when there is some form of a marketing deal in-place. The existing normal commercials and trailers address all platforms. Sony continues to focus on perception. The Ghost of Yotei video was released on the same day as the Oblivion Remake shadow drop as some kind of a proof-of-life.

Ah nevermind the good thing is the new doom looks good!