Microsoft’s purchase of Bethesda-owners ZeniMax Media last year got a welcoming broadcast today with the studio talking up their new partnership.
The biggest question that has been lingering since the deal was announced was also put on the table. Microsoft’s Phill Spencer was asked directly both in interviews before the broadcast and during it if this deal means future Bethesda titles will be Microsoft exclusives.
From Spencer’s comments, it seems they will be unless otherwise stated by an existing contract made prior to Microsoft’s purchase. In a post on the official site the other day, he said:
“This is the next step in building an industry-leading first party studios team, a commitment we have to our Xbox community. With the addition of the Bethesda creative teams, gamers should know that Xbox consoles, PC, and Game Pass will be the best place to experience new Bethesda games, including some new titles in the future that will be exclusive to Xbox and PC players”
Then, during the broadcast today, he re-iterated that stance though included the caveat that games with existing contracts or with large fan communities with whom there are ongoing obligations will continue to be supported.
Also confirmed is that twenty of Bethesda’s most iconic and award-winning games are coming to Game Pass from tomorrow: “Dishonored” 1 & 2, the original “Doom” trilogy, “Doom 64,” the recent “Doom Eternal,” “Fallout New Vegas,” “Fallout 4,” “Fallout 76: Steel Dawn,” “Prey,” “Rage 2,” “The Elder Scrolls” 3-5 & Online, “The Evil Within,” “Wolfenstein: The New Order,” “Wolfenstein: The Old Blood,” “Wolfenstein: Youngblood”.
The titles will be available to all Game Pass members be it PC, Xbox console, or mobile devices through the cloud.
