There have been some big shockers leading up to the new console generation this year, but one of the most recent might take the cake.Microsoft bought Zenimax, and with it, Bethesda, as well as other big names under Zenimax’s umbrella. This purchase has some big implications.
The number of developers under Zenimax is not huge necessarily, but it includes some quality game franchises and developers. The likes ofFallout,Elder Scrolls,Doom, andPreyare all inMicrosoft’s possession now. Other game devs have been snapped up by the company with the purpose of securing fantastic exclusives for the Xbox Series X, but it’s an open question as to whether or not Bethesda’s games, among others, will get the same treatment.
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In some cases, the question of console exclusivity is already known. Microsoft has statedBethesda’s preexisting PS5 exclusivity deals will be honored. This includes games likeDeathloopandGhostwire: Tokyo, and probably the Switch release ofDoom: Eternal. For other games though, the future is uncertain. There’s a really good chance thatThe Elder Scrolls 6will wind up being an Xbox exclusive, even if it’s just timed, but some players and industry insiders, including Colin Moriarty, are certain thatElder Scrolls 6andFallout 5will be released for the PS5 and other consoles day one. However, journalist Jez Cordon does not share his opinion, and for good reason.
For starters, there’s no need to beat around the bush:Microsoft now owns Bethesda’s franchises. That means it gets to decide, ultimately, where those specific games get released. There are few reasons for Microsoft to allow other systems, especially its competitors, to gain access to quality games that it could keep as exclusives. At the very least, doing so on day one makes the least sense. Making it a timed exclusive of a year or so would ensure that many flocked to the Xbox ecosystem. Even Colin Moriarty, who said he believes Microsoft will let the biggest franchises onto the PS5, doesn’t seem to think it’s what Microsoftshoulddo, if another tweet of his is to be believed.
On top of that, there is precedent for Microsoft buying up a major developer with exclusives for Xbox as the goal, as it could be doing with Bethesda. This was exactly what happened to Rare in 2002 when Microsoft bought Rare for a kingly sum of $375 million, so it would create blockbusters for Xbox. Incidentally,the Rare aquisition has Bethesda fans worried. It was right after Microsoft bought it that the quality of Rare’s games began to drop, but that’s entirely opinion.
Finally, this is a time when Microsoft really needs great exclusives. The next generation is right around the corner, andHalo Infinite’s quality is uncertain. Microsoft needs must have games like futureDoomsequels, or whatever Obsidian will make for it. Although, givenBethesda and Obsidian’s rivalry, any futureFallouttitles may prove… interesting. Hopefully the result will not be anotherFallout 76.
