Xbox boss Phil Spencer recently revealed that Microsoft’s highly anticipated RPG Starfield could have been a PlayStation exclusive if it weren’t for the company’s acquisition of Zenimax. During a discussion with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) about the Activision Blizzard acquisition, Spencer disclosed that Sony routinely pays competitors to skip Xbox. In order to prevent Starfield from skipping Xbox, Microsoft felt it was necessary to purchase Zenimax and secure the game’s availability on their platform.
“When we acquired ZeniMax, one of the impetuses for that is that Sony had done a deal for Deathloop and Ghostwire… to pay Bethesda to not ship those games on Xbox,” Spencer explained. “So the discussion about Starfield, when we heard that Starfield was potentially also going to end up skipping Xbox, we can’t be in a position as a third-place console where we fall further behind on our content ownership, so we’ve had to secure content to remain viable in the business.”
Microsoft acquired Zenimax and its subsidiaries, including Bethesda, in 2021 for a whopping $7.5 billion. Following the acquisition, it was announced that Bethesda would release “some” games exclusively on Xbox and PC. Since then, Bethesda has released Redfall as an Xbox/PC exclusive and plans to do the same with Starfield.
This revelation sheds light on the competitive nature of the gaming industry and the lengths companies are willing to go to secure exclusive content for their platforms. It also highlights Microsoft’s determination to remain competitive in the console market and maintain a strong lineup of exclusive games.
For more information on Phil Spencer’s statements to the FTC, including his comments on The Elder Scrolls 6 and Xbox’s commitment to PlayStation promises regarding Call of Duty, be sure to check out our related articles.
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1) How did Sony’s previous deals with Bethesda influence Microsoft’s decision to acquire Zenimax?
In a recent discussion with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Xbox boss Phil Spencer revealed an interesting fact about Microsoft’s acquisition of Zenimax and its impact on the highly anticipated RPG Starfield. According to Spencer, if it weren’t for the acquisition, Starfield could have been a PlayStation exclusive.
Spencer disclosed that Sony has a habit of paying competitors to exclude Xbox from their platforms. He mentioned that Sony had previously struck a deal with Bethesda, paying them to not release games like Deathloop and Ghostwire on Xbox. This information played a role in Microsoft’s decision to acquire Zenimax, as they did not want Starfield to skip their platform.
The acquisition of Zenimax and its subsidiaries, including Bethesda, cost Microsoft a staggering $7.5 billion. As a result, Bethesda announced that “some” games would be exclusive to Xbox and PC. The recently released Redfall is one such exclusive, and Starfield is expected to follow suit.
This revelation sheds light on the fierce competition within the gaming industry and the measures companies are willing to take to secure exclusive content for their platforms. It also reflects Microsoft’s determination to remain competitive in the console market and maintain a strong lineup of exclusive games.
For more details on Phil Spencer’s statements to the FTC, including his comments on The Elder Scrolls 6 and Xbox’s commitment to honoring PlayStation promises regarding Call of Duty, check out our related articles.
Please note that the products mentioned in this article were independently chosen by our editors. GameSpot may receive a share of the revenue if you make a purchase through the links provided.
If you have any news tips or would like to contact us directly, please email news@gamespot.com.
I’ve always appreciated Phil Spencer’s transparency and it’s great to see him share the rationale behind Microsoft’s acquisition of Zenimax. Keeping Starfield as an exclusive for Xbox players ensures that more fans get to experience this highly anticipated game, and also demonstrates Microsoft’s commitment to providing top-notch gaming experiences.
This move by Xbox to acquire Zenimax is a smart strategy to keep PlayStation from having an exclusive title like Starfield. Phil Spencer knows the importance of retaining strong fan base and this acquisition further strengthens their position in the gaming industry.