Bethesda’s highly anticipated Indiana Jones game has been confirmed to be exclusive to Xbox and PC platforms, according to Pete Hines, Bethesda’s head of global publishing. This announcement was made during the FTC v. Microsoft case. Furthermore, the game will be available on Xbox Game Pass on its release day.
Despite the excitement surrounding the Indiana Jones game, little information has been revealed thus far. There has only been a teaser video, with no details regarding the game’s release date or supported platforms. However, during the FTC v. Microsoft hearing, Hines was questioned, and it was disclosed by the FTC’s counsel that Disney originally had a contract for the game to be released on multiple consoles. However, after Microsoft acquired Bethesda, the deal was amended to exclusivity for Xbox consoles.
When asked about the reasoning behind making Indiana Jones an Xbox exclusive, Hines explained that Bethesda liked the idea of reducing risk for the game developers and bringing it to Xbox Game Pass. The primary reason for this decision was to achieve a certain level of certainty and avoid potential delays caused by the licensors’ feedback and scheduling conflicts. By partnering with Xbox, Bethesda can streamline the development process and ensure smoother collaboration with the licensor.
This exclusivity move is not unique to the Indiana Jones game. Microsoft has also made Bethesda’s upcoming titles, Starfield and Redfall, exclusive to their platforms following the acquisition. The FTC argues that if Microsoft’s proposed $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard goes through, this behavior could extend to Activision Blizzard games as well. As a result, the FTC has filed a request for a preliminary injunction to block Microsoft from closing the Activision deal until the conclusion of its own administrative process.
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It is important to note that exclusivity deals and acquisitions like these are common in the gaming industry. Companies often seek to secure exclusive content or studios to add value to their platforms and attract more users. In this case, Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda and their decision to make Indiana Jones exclusive to Xbox and PC aligns with their strategy to bolster their gaming portfolio and strengthen Xbox’s appeal to consumers.
On June 22nd, additional comments from Pete Hines clarified the company’s position on the exclusivity of Indiana Jones and other Bethesda games. Hines stated that exclusivity decisions are made on a case-by-case basis and reflect the specific circumstances and goals of each project. While some games may benefit from being exclusive to a particular platform, others may have a broader reach by being available on multiple platforms.
In conclusion, Bethesda’s upcoming Indiana Jones game will be exclusive to Xbox and PC platforms. This move aims to reduce risk for the developers and benefit from the synergies between Bethesda and Xbox. This exclusivity trend is part of Microsoft’s strategy to strengthen its gaming offerings and appeal to a wider audience. It remains to be seen how this approach will impact the overall gaming landscape and whether it will extend to other acquisitions such as Activision Blizzard.
