In the aftermath of Microsoft’s acquisition of ZeniMax, it was anticipated that cross-platform releases would be affected. However, recent revelations have hinted at the potential loss of major releases for gamers. During a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hearing seeking an injunction against the Microsoft-Activision Blizzard deal, Bethesda VP Pete Hines disclosed that Disney had initially struck a deal with ZeniMax to release MachineGames’ highly anticipated Indiana Jones title on multiple consoles. However, following Microsoft’s purchase of ZeniMax, the agreement was amended, making it an exclusive title for Xbox consoles.
Furthermore, the FTC believes that Bethesda’s highly anticipated sci-fi epic, Starfield, was originally planned for release on the PlayStation 5 before the Microsoft buyout. Bloomberg had previously reported that Bethesda had scrapped the PlayStation version of Redfall, although this development is less concerning given the lukewarm reception of the vampire shooter.
Image Source – Twitter
Hines claims that the decision to make Indiana Jones an exclusive title was influenced by the nature of the Disney license. Disney had provided extensive feedback on the project, which limited development time. Making the game an Xbox exclusive allowed it to stay on track while providing a “degree of clarity,” according to the Bethesda executive. It is important to note that games like Starfield and Redfall are original titles.
Attempts to seek comment from Bethesda regarding these revelations are underway. In 2021, Xbox chief Phil Spencer had expressed that Microsoft’s control of ZeniMax would result in “great exclusive games.” At the time, ongoing projects like Deathloop and Ghostwire: Tokyo were still bound for PlayStation due to contractual obligations.
While these revelations may not solidify the FTC’s efforts to block Microsoft’s purchase of Activision Blizzard, they do raise concerns. They suggest that some players may miss out on highly anticipated games that were originally intended for their preferred gaming platform. Microsoft has attempted to secure regulatory approval by promising to release Call of Duty on multiple platforms in the years to come. However, this assurance may not alleviate concerns if officials remain worried about other exclusives.
The impact of Microsoft’s acquisition of ZeniMax on the gaming landscape continues to unfold, leaving both gamers and industry observers eager to see how future releases and console exclusivity will be affected.
