While we already had Halo studio 343 Industries comment on how the global COVID-19 pandemic has affected the studio and the franchise, Microsoft’s Xbox division has given a statement on the Xbox exclusive game development situation and how COVID-19 has affected that as well.

Here’s what Xbox Game Studios Matt Booty had to say about their Xbox exclusive game development (via GameSpot):

We know that gaming connects people during times of social distancing, and we are committed to delivering the highest quality Xbox Game Studios games for our global community of players. At the same time, the health and safety of our XGS development teams is our top priority. Each studio is facing unique challenges and constraints depending on its particular location, and many of our external development partners around the world are similarly affected. We are supporting our studio leaders to make the right decisions for their teams and their individual games during this challenging time.

While games are important to a lot of people, it’s nowhere near important as people’s lives and how they deal with the global pandemic. If this means some exclusive games get delayed, then so be it.

This won’t be the last game studio or game-related announcement that touches on COVID-19, but we hope it’ll be one of the last, as I can’t wait for the world to get over this soon.

More Xbox Reading:

• PS5 vs Xbox Series X Specs Showdown
• Report: Xbox Series X Release Date Set, Coming in Thanksgiving 2020
• Xbox Series X Expandable Storage Requires Proprietary Cards for Series X Games