Bethesda games exclusivity controversy involving Microsoft and Activision Blizzard
The fallout from the Activision Blizzard acquisition is still stirring up plenty of discussion and debate, and now Bethesda finds itself in the middle of the Controversy thanks to Xbox exclusivity deals for the upcoming Starfield and Redfall. The FTC believes that Microsoft’s treatment of Bethesda games gives insight into its plans for Activision’s library, and a lack of communication from Xbox regarding the decision adds to the frustration from Bethesda executives.
Both Starfield and Redfall are now exclusive to Xbox, despite initial plans for a PlayStation launch. Bethesda executives, including Pete Hines, express frustration and confusion over the situation, with Hines pointing to Xbox’s treatment of Call of Duty as a factor in the decision.
“We have been 100% consistent in our messaging and it makes no sense,” Hines says. “It’s frustrating because I can’t point to anything internally where we have changed our direction, or anything like that. There is no excuse for it. Like I said, the only thing I can come up with is, well, ‘Why is this okay for Call of Duty, but not for The Elder Scrolls 6 and Starfield?’ And I don’t know. I’m not getting any answers.”
The lack of communication from Xbox regarding the decision adds to the frustration from Hines and other Bethesda executives. “I don’t understand why it’s so hard to say, ‘Yeah, we decided to make this exclusive,’ or ‘We decided not to make this exclusive,’” Hines adds.
The future of upcoming Bethesda games like Fallout 5, The Elder Scrolls 6, and future titles from ID Software and Arkane remains uncertain, with Hines clarifying that each game is being handled on a case-by-case basis.
A 2019 email from Xbox Games Studio head Matt Booty surfaces, indicating a desire to put PlayStation out of business. However, conflicting reports emerge from the FTC hearing, leading to even more confusion and speculation.
The controversy surrounding Bethesda and Xbox exclusivity is a hot topic in gaming news, with the FTC’s scrutiny of Microsoft’s actions with Bethesda potentially providing insight into potential implications for the Activision Blizzard acquisition. Some wonder whether Xbox exclusivity will become the norm for future game releases, with the fallout from that Activision purchase still ongoing.
