According to recent reports, Bethesda’s highly anticipated Indiana Jones game will be limited to Xbox and PC. During the FTC v. Microsoft case, Pete Hines, Bethesda’s president of worldwide publishing, revealed the game’s exclusivity. Following Microsoft’s acquisition, a revised deal between Disney and ZeniMax Media, Bethesda’s parent company, resulted in this decision.
The Fallout of Microsoft’s ZeniMax Acquisition
Microsoft’s acquisition of ZeniMax Media for a staggering $7.5 billion sent shockwaves throughout the gaming industry. It was only a matter of time before the impact of this acquisition would manifest in the form of exclusivity deals. The Indiana Jones game, developed by MachineGames, the studio renowned for the Wolfenstein franchise, was initially planned as a multiplatform release. However, the amended agreement between Disney and ZeniMax changed the course of its availability.
During the FTC hearing, Hines admitted that Disney had originally signed a deal with ZeniMax to release the Indiana Jones game on multiple consoles, including the PlayStation 5. However, after Microsoft’s acquisition, the agreement was altered, making the game exclusive to Xbox consoles. This revelation raises questions about the fate of the Indiana Jones game and hints at the fate of other highly anticipated titles like Starfield.
Reasons behind Exclusivity
The nature of the Disney licensing, according to Hines, influenced the decision to make Indiana Jones an Xbox exclusive. Because of Disney’s involvement, the game’s production process would be susceptible to considerable input and possible delays. Bethesda intended to limit risk while maintaining a certain amount of transparency and control over the game’s development and release by making it an Xbox exclusive. This approach is consistent with Microsoft’s strategic goal of exploiting exclusives to strengthen the Xbox brand and attract more gamers to their ecosystem.
Impact on Gaming Platforms and Fans
The exclusivity of the Indiana Jones game undoubtedly disappoints PlayStation and other non-Xbox players eagerly anticipating its release. The game’s original multiplatform plans allowed fans to experience the iconic adventurer’s journey on their preferred consoles. However, the amended agreement has altered those expectations.
This shift in exclusivity raises concerns among gamers who fear that other highly anticipated titles, such as Starfield and Redfall, may also become exclusive to Xbox platforms due to Microsoft’s ownership of Bethesda. The FTC’s ongoing lawsuit against Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard further adds to the uncertainty surrounding the future availability of certain games on multiple platforms.
Microsoft’s Ongoing Battle
With the FTC lawsuit now in the courtroom phase, Microsoft faces significant obstacles in its quest to complete the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. While the European Union has approved the deal, the UK has issued a formal block, prompting Microsoft to plan an appeal. The acquisition, initially slated for completion by the end of the month, faces a challenging journey ahead, and its ultimate outcome remains uncertain.
The next Indiana Jones game for Xbox and PC is exclusive, highlighting the influence of Microsoft’s acquisition of ZeniMax on gaming platforms. The modified arrangement between Disney and ZeniMax altered the game’s original multiplatform release plans, effectively denying non-Xbox users access to this highly anticipated title. As the FTC’s investigation into Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard proceeds, fans are left worrying about the fate of other popular games and the potential shift in the gaming scene. It remains to be seen how this exclusive trend affects the industry and shapes the experiences of players in the long run.
