The gaming community is still reeling from the recent news that Microsoft has bought outBethesda, thus makingbeloved IPs likeThe Elder Scrolls, Fallout,andDoomXbox properties.While this is undeniably a win for Microsoft and is being received rather well by some, it has led to questions regarding whether this means all of Bethesda’s future titles will now be exclusive to the Xbox platform or if Microsoft will still allow them to be multiplatform.
This is especially the case with the likes ofDeathloopandGhostwire: Tokyo.Deathloophas been heavily promoted by Sonydue to it being a timed console exclusive for the PlayStation 5 (with it to presumably come to the Xbox Series X at a later date), whileGhostwire: Tokyois currently scheduled as a PS5 and PC only title.
RELATED:Ghostwire: Tokyo Reveals New Footage, Confirms Dog Petting
But with Microsoft’s acquisition, does this mean both games will jump ship and be exclusive to Xbox? As it turns out, no. According to Bloomberg, Xbox head Phil Spencer has clarified that the company intends to honor the exclusivity commitments, meaning so far that nothing is changing in regard toDeathloopandGhostwire: Tokyo’s releases. This likely also extends to theSwitch release forDoom Eternal, which is still being worked on.
As for futureBethesdareleases, they will most definitely release on Xbox and PC, but apparently they could come to other platforms on a “case by case basis.” This isn’t too surprising to hear; Microsoft has shown to be willing to allow certain exclusives to release on other consoles, with maybe the most notable examples beingMinecraftand the twoOrigames, withOri and the Will of the Wispsvery recently being released for the Nintendo Switch.
However, this is already leading to debates about whether Bethesda’s biggest franchises are now locked to the Xbox. For example,The Elder Scrolls 6was announced in 2018, but no release platforms were confirmed. Given the popularity of the series, some fans think the game will still release on PlayStation, as keeping it only on Xbox and PC could be an unpopular move on Microsoft’s part.
But others have pointed out that it seems ridiculous for Microsoft to acquire Bethesda and not have its biggest and popular titles and franchises as Xbox exclusives. At the moment, the Xbox Series X is notably lacking in exclusives, with Sony having plenty to encourage people to purchase a PS5, such asSpider-Man: Miles MoralesandHorizon Forbidden West.
A newElder ScrollsorFalloutgame appearing as an Xbox console exclusive could be what Microsoft needs to convince an audience to invest in its consoles over the PS5. Even if they do remain multiplatform, it’s been pointed out that having multiple Bethesda games as part of the Xbox Game Pass is a much better deal than having to individually buy them on the PS5.
For now, it’s arguably too early to tell, but the community is already looking at Sony to see if/how it will respond to much a momentous moment in the industry’s history.
