Microsoft is reportedly exploring a major shift in its Xbox strategy that could bring some of its most recognizable gaming franchises exclusively to Xbox consoles. The franchises under consideration include Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, and even Minecraft, potentially limiting access for PlayStation and Nintendo players.

The plans are far from confirmed, but a new survey sent to select members of the Xbox Insider Program suggests that Microsoft's leadership is seriously evaluating how players might respond to such a change.

The survey reportedly asks Xbox Insiders where they would choose to play future entries in Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, and Minecraft if those games were no longer available on PlayStation or Nintendo consoles.

One hypothetical scenario specifically considers making all future Fallout releases exclusive to Xbox consoles, while keeping existing games available on their current platforms. PC availability would also remain unchanged.

Participants are asked how they would respond to this scenario, with options including:

• Playing on an Xbox console they already own.
• Purchasing a new Xbox Series X or Series S.
• Playing on PC.
• Skipping the games because they are unavailable on their preferred console.
• Selecting another option or expressing no interest in the exclusive content.

Another scenario proposes making every franchise developed by Xbox exclusive to its consoles, with one notable exception: Call of Duty.

Such a change would have a significant impact on players who currently enjoy Microsoft's games across different platforms. It could also influence purchasing decisions, particularly for those who do not own an Xbox and prefer playing on PlayStation or Nintendo hardware.

The potential inclusion of Minecraft is particularly notable because the popular sandbox game is available across a wide range of platforms. Players can currently enjoy it on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, PC, mobile devices, and other systems.

Restricting future releases across Microsoft's gaming franchises could therefore represent a substantial departure from the company's existing multiplatform approach.

For fans of Fallout and The Elder Scrolls, the implications could be equally significant. Upcoming titles such as Fallout 5 and The Elder Scrolls VI could attract players to Xbox hardware if they were unavailable on competing consoles.

However, the survey does not confirm that Microsoft intends to implement these restrictions. It may simply be gathering feedback to understand how different exclusivity strategies could affect player behavior.

The survey reportedly excludes Call of Duty from its hypothetical Xbox exclusivity plans. This may be connected to Microsoft's 2023 agreements with Nintendo, Nvidia, and Sony, which were designed to preserve access to the franchise across multiple platforms.

Those commitments were part of the regulatory process surrounding Microsoft's $68 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The agreements focused on maintaining access to Call of Duty, rather than guaranteeing that every franchise owned by Activision Blizzard would remain multiplatform.

As a result, the series occupies a different position from other Xbox-owned properties when Microsoft considers its future platform strategy.

The survey comes as Xbox leadership reassesses how its games are released and distributed. CEO Asha Sharma and chief content officer Matt Booty previously indicated that the company would reevaluate its approach to exclusivity, release timing, and artificial intelligence.

Recent developments suggest that this review could lead to further changes. Forza Horizon 6, for example, is scheduled to arrive on PlayStation 5 later than on Xbox and PC, with its PS5 release planned for 2027.

Microsoft has also introduced Xbox Labs, a special projects group associated with its broader experimentation efforts.

Whether the company ultimately makes Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, or Minecraft exclusive remains uncertain. For now, the survey offers a glimpse into the possibilities Xbox is considering as it determines how to balance console sales, player choice, and the reach of its biggest gaming franchises.