Microsoft says they want their Bethesda games to be “first or best” on the Xbox. In a statement, Xbox CFO Tim Stuart hints they will not pull its titles off rival platforms.
In an interview, Stuart discussed their plans on handling their Bethesda games. Microsoft has recently offered its plans to purchase Zenimax and all its subsidiaries.
In name and paper, the media company, with all its studios, are practically theirs.
So far, the tech giant is hinting at a more open approach to the studio’s IP. They will likely not remove their titles from rivals like Sony and Nintendo.
Microsoft has zero intentions of pulling Bethesda content
According to his engagement at Jefferies Interactive Entertainment conference last week, Tim detailed how they will work future Bethesda titles into the fold.
Zenimax’s studios, including Arkane and Id, are actively creating new games for the next few years.
“What we’ll do in the long run is we don’t have intentions of just pulling all of Bethesda content out of Sony or Nintendo or otherwise,” said Stuart, as noted in Seeking Alpha’s transcription.
“But what we want is we want that content, in the long run, to be either first or better or best or pick your differentiated experience, on our platforms. We will want Bethesda content to show up the best as — on our platforms.
“Yes. That’s not a point about being exclusive. That’s not a point about we’re being — adjusting timing or content or road map. But if you think about something like Game Pass, if it shows up best in Game Pass, that’s what we want to see, and we want to drive our Game Pass subscriber base through that Bethesda pipeline.
“So again, I’m not announcing pulling content from platforms one way or the other. But I suspect you’ll continue to see us shift towards a first or better or best approach on our platforms.”
Microsoft will be ubiquitous on all platforms through Bethesda
If Stuart’s verbiage is any indication, Microsoft will be present across all platforms. Bethesda games are a potent weapon for Microsoft’s overarching presence everywhere. Combined with the Xbox Games Pass, Xbox is ubiquitous on every platform.
Bethesda titles on PS5 and Nintendo Switch mean Microsoft has a presence within their rival brands. Starfield and Elder Scrolls 6 are on the horizon. Arkane’s Deathloop is coming in 2021, while Id Software is busy with DOOM Eternal.
Bethesda can optimize their games for the Xbox consoles and PC while offering access to their rivals.
At most, Bethesda games will likely have short-timed exclusives to allow Xbox users first-access. Regardless, this is good news for fans of studios under the Zenimax umbrella.
Featured image courtesy of Phil Spencer/Twitter