This past week saw the ongoing process for Microsoft's acquisition of ZeniMax Media, which includes Bethesda and many other studios, come to its conclusion. With the acquisition approved internationally, Microsoft wasted no time in announcing a Bethesda Joins Xbox roundtable event. The event was used to address a variety of questions and concerns regarding what Bethesda joining Xbox meant. The most pressing of which is Microsoft's plans for Bethesda game exclusivity.
Phil Spencer addressed the issue of exclusivity for ZeniMax Media games, and Bethesda games specifically, during the roundtable. Bluntly put, Spencer made clear that the Bethesda acquisition "is about delivering great exclusive games," particularly on platforms where Game Pass exists. He notably doesn't say it's for exclusive games on Xbox platforms, but Game Pass instead. Suffice to say, Game Pass is not currently supported on PlayStation or Nintendo platforms.
That doesn't mean that all Bethesda games in the future won't be coming to PlayStation or elsewhere, however. Spencer makes clear that any and all commitments that Bethesda has made prior to the acquisition will be fulfilled. For example, Deathloop from Arkane Studios is a PS5 console exclusive. Deathloop and other games will have their contracts seen through. Spencer heavily implied that Bethesda does have more games that will be coming to PlayStation platforms that have yet to be officially confirmed.
The decision from Xbox is understandable but likely to met with some frustration and disappointment from PlayStation console gamers. Bethesda games have long been some of the biggest game releases of each console generation. Going forward, those games are unlikely to come to PlayStation platforms, barring Game Pass miraculously being released on the service. It's going to force those PlayStation console users to game on PC or Xbox, or alternatively try out Microsoft's xCloud service on mobile devices.
This decision was the inevitable conclusion of Microsoft acquiring ZeniMax Media. As Spencer says, Microsoft wouldn't have spent $7.5 billion to acquire Bethesda and all of the other ZeniMax Media Studios to not capitalize on exclusivity. But it's a good thing that Spencer has now pulled off the bandaid, so to speak.
More specific details about Microsoft's exclusivity plans will be revealed on a game-by-game basis in the months and years to come. As Spencer noted, already announced platform support won't be changing. As for other games, like Bethesda's Starfield, fans will have to wait patiently for more information. Microsoft's acquisition of Bethesda has only just completed.