Microsoft’s acquisition of ZeniMax, the parent company of Bethesda, has not been without controversy. Recent revelations have hinted at major releases being affected and gamers potentially missing out on some highly anticipated titles.
One of the key developments is the amended deal between ZeniMax and Disney regarding the release of MachineGames’ Indiana Jones game on multiple consoles. Prior to Microsoft’s acquisition, there was a deal in place to release the game on various platforms. However, after the acquisition, the agreement was changed to make it an Xbox console exclusive. This news has raised concerns among gamers who were eagerly anticipating the game on their preferred platform.
In addition, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has been investigating the Microsoft-Activision Blizzard deal and questioning the impact it may have on cross-platform releases. During this investigation, Bethesda VP Pete Hines revealed that Disney had initially planned to release their sci-fi epic Starfield on the PlayStation 5. However, after the Microsoft buyout, the plans were changed, and Starfield became an Xbox console exclusive. This shift in exclusivity has disappointed PlayStation fans who were looking forward to playing the highly anticipated game on their platform of choice.
The decision to make Indiana Jones and Starfield exclusives can be attributed to the nature of licensing agreements and project development considerations. Hines explains that the Disney license for Indiana Jones came with a significant amount of feedback and requirements that limited development time. Making the game an Xbox exclusive ensured that the project could stay on track while providing clarity in terms of exclusivity. On the other hand, games like Starfield and Redfall are original titles that were chosen to be Xbox exclusives.
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It is important to note that not all games under ZeniMax were affected by the change in ownership. Prior to the acquisition, contractual obligations for titles like Deathloop and Ghostwire: Tokyo meant that they would still be released on PlayStation. Xbox chief Phil Spencer has previously expressed confidence that the acquisition of ZeniMax would result in great exclusive games for the Xbox platform.
The implications of these revelations are significant. While they may not necessarily influence the FTC’s efforts to block Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, they raise concerns about the potential impact on gamers. It appears that players could be missing out on highly anticipated games that were originally intended for their console of choice.
To address these concerns, Microsoft has made promises to release Call of Duty on multiple platforms for years to come, in an attempt to secure regulatory approval. However, it remains to be seen whether this assurance will alleviate concerns about exclusivity in other titles.
In conclusion, Microsoft’s acquisition of ZeniMax has raised concerns about the potential impact on cross-platform releases. Recent revelations about exclusive deals and amendments to licensing agreements suggest that some gamers may miss out on major releases that were originally intended for their preferred consoles. The ultimate implications of these developments remain to be seen, but they highlight the ongoing challenges in balancing exclusivity and consumer expectations in the gaming industry.
