The soap opera of the acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft continues and allows us once again to learn more about the strategy of the company that runs Xbox.
At least three Bethesda games will be Xbox and PC exclusives
On December 8, we learned that the FTC wanted to block the takeover and take the case to court. Microsoft reacted very quickly, indicating that the company would continue to fight for the takeover to take place.
Today is in a long answer of 37 pages that Microsoft supports its arguments, the vast majority of which are already known and have already been relayed in the columns of Xboxygen.
There are, however, a few nuggets, and in particular on the sixth page where Microsoft discusses several future Bethesda games and their exclusive status.
The complaint’s reference to Microsoft’s recent acquisition of ZeniMax – a collection of game studios acquired in 2020 – is unrelated to the current transaction. After the completion of this transaction, ZeniMax’s first two new games were made exclusive to PlayStation or for one year after launch.
Xbox anticipates that three future titles – all designed to be played primarily alone or in small groups – will be exclusive to Xbox and PC. But, in keeping with its historical approach, Xbox has continued to release new updates to existing ZeniMax games, such as Fallout 76 and Elder Scrolls Online, on both Xbox and PlayStation, as these games are designed to be played on their own. or in small groups by large communities of players on different platforms.
It remains to be seen what games it is. Is Microsoft talking about games that aren’t announced yet, or are some already? If these are games that have already been announced, then it would be Redfall et Starfield which should be released in 2023, but most certainly also The Elder Scrolls VI. Here’s what Xbox boss Phil Spencer said just a year ago about the game:
This is not about punishing another platform. I fundamentally believe that all platforms can continue to grow. But to be on Xbox, I want us to be able to bring the full package of what we have. And that’s true when I think of Elder Scrolls VI. This is also true when I think of any other of our franchises.
