According to Bethesda, they will still be independent under Microsoft, operate as before.

https://bethesda.net/en/article/193piE646914YSCGpeYxGC/bethesda-xbox-just-getting-started

As we’ve all shared, the expectation is that Bethesda Softworks and our studios will continue as we have in the past, just with more support and resources than we’ve ever had before. Obviously, Game Pass has been an important initiative for Xbox, and we’ll be working on putting even more of our games into Game Pass than ever before. Beyond that? Stay tuned, we’re just getting started together.

Sounds like to me Bethesda games may not actually be exclusive if this is the case. After all, Microsoft is all about dat money. Look at what they did with Minecraft. It's one of the most successful games out there and is available on every system. Thoughts, SW? Do you really think Bethesda games will be completely exclusive to Microsoft systems or maybe just timed exclusivity?

Not sure about that, but am happy to play them on PC.

None of my concern, I dont buy bethesda game on release due to the huge amount of dlc they gonna release so a wait and see approach is the best approach.

tbh was hoping bethesda game studios would get a kick up the arse after a lacklustre last gen

@SolidGame_basic: Goodness, people need to make their minds up. One day they’re “M$…All about dat money”, the next they’re running Xbox at a loss since 2004 just to spite Sony.
As long as those games come to Gamepass, I honestly don’t care if they’re exclusive or not - everyone should be able to play good games.

Will probably depend on the game. I can see them keeping ES and Fallout as multiplatform as that is an established IP and making it exclusive would be seen as a shitty move.

But new IP like Starfield I can see them keeping for themselves.

I believe that all Bethseda games will be available on all platforms, but only through Gamepass. It is up to Sony and Nintendo if they will accept these conditions.

As for Bethseda, I wouldn't mind working for Microsoft if I were them. Much better than working for EA.

They're exclusive, deal with it.

TC's denial is pretty strong

I'm on the side that doesn't care as long as they come to Game Pass. I'm all in favour of them releasing those games on PlayStation even, it literally wouldn't change anything about me enjoying a game.

But this "news" about them being somewhat independent it's known since day 0.

Wishful thinking. If the others allow GamePass on their systems then yeah Beth will be there. :P

This, kinda blackmail, but there you go. Although. cannot see Sony or Nintendo submitting. Bethesda will have to make do with DLC and micro transactions to cover losses.

As great as it would be for Bethesda games to be available on PS5, I doubt that will be the case. This was a strategic buyout and not just about money. I expect the games to be exclusive and timed exclusive at the minimum unless Sony starts allowing Game Pass on their platform.

The only game of theirs in development that I'd buy for PS5 is Indiana Jones. Regardless of what someone implies on the internet, I'm still extremely skeptical that Indiana Jones will release on PS5 at all. Best case scenario I see is a PS5 version delayed by a year.

The Indiana Jones game has a better chance being on PS5 as it is a licensed IP and there may be an agreement with LucasFilm/Disney for it to be released on PS5.

They'll probably operate as before, exclusively on Xbox and PC.

Either way, I don't care beyond that it would be funny on SW if Sony fans didn't get the games. I'd personally never play Bethesda games on consoles, lol. That'd be horrible.

I'm pretty sure they just mean MS isn't telling them how to make the games they decide to make. Which... may not be a good thing 😜

It's like Phil and Bethesda never hosted that podcast.

Pure wishful thinking.

Games will be exclusive to PC and Xbox.

Bethesda will operate independently, meaning host their own shows and events, decide what games get made and when, etc.. Minecraft and it's sequels and spinoff and mmos will be on PS5

Sony could somehow make spidey exclusive to PS, why not Indiana Jones for Xbox. Phil did publicly reasoned why xbox payed for Rise of Tomb Raider exclusivity, cause they don't have Uncharted on Xbox. Apparently Phil is a big fan of Uncharted.

Yea, that's what I'm thinking. They'll put the games on Gamepass but they will still be available as multiplat. Sounds like a smart strategic move to me.

Minecraft makes more money than all of the Bethesda games. Why don't they make it exclusive then?

TC/Cows: I don't care about Bethesda or their games

Also TC/Cows: Every couple of weeks asking SW if Bethesda games will be exclusive or not with huge implication/hope that it won't be

As I said before, Bethesda acquisition is already paying dividends in terms of SW lulz.

Geeesh, first you hate on Bethesda games and now you are hoping Bethesda games come to PS5. This Bethesda purchase really have Sony fannies bothered.

I think that just means they'll continue to as they have done without any pressure from MS. MS isn't giving them support and resources for nothing. MS won't tell them what to make and when.

Bethesda usually put on a big show at E3 but this year it is part of MS's showcase so I doubt the PS5 will be mentioned at all.

Some new titles.. ok, sounds intentionally vague to me. Why not just say what they are?

Give it 3 weeks and I'm sure they will.

Microsoft didn't pay 7.5 billion for them to be "independent". That's horseshit. They'll operate the same way they did as a publisher, but Phil, Matt Booty and co. call the shots when they want something.

After fall out 4 ans their last online fall out game, I really hope stArfield stays on the xbsex. That game will be ugly and buggy as hell.

Yep, they actually said all this quite awhile ago, very shortly after the whole acquisition was first announced if I believe correctly. The reason that Minecraft wasn’t just suddenly made exclusive was because the game had already been on other platforms for a very long time. Not the same as making newly made games exclusive to certain platforms.

@sakaixx: Sony owns the rights to Spidey when it comes to movies and games. So, they can do whatever they want. MS has to license Indiana Jones from LucasFilm/Disney. So, they have to agree on terms for possible exclusivity. This is unlikely as licensing a popular IP from other media usually reaches as wide an audience as possible. Exclusivity does not lineup with that agenda.

Lol...Ensemble Studios thought that too..lmao

Minecraft was everywhere before MS purchased the studio and is the kind of game that thrives with a community of gamers, both young and old, coming back for years. Same with MMOs. I'm sure you know this.

What I find frustrating (and hilarious at the same time) is how you guys just ignore realty and believe what you want.

MS finally realized that they could never compete with Sony on brand name and exclusive titles and therefore would never sell more units. They adapted their strategy to console and PC and chose to provide content that gamers can consume over time like Netflix.

This model means that the normal way of needing to sell x amount of units to turn a profit is irrelevant. MS doesn't need to put games on PS5 to recoup their losses just as Netflix doesn't have to put their original shows on other streaming services.

That exclusive content is what draws people to Netflix. Not all shows or movies make money on Netflix but they draw enough monthly subscribers to subsidize it and allows them to take more creative freedom with stuff like The Witcher and Orange is the New Black.

You can't compare MSs model to the rest of the industry and assume they need other platforms. They lose money by going multiplatfoem, not the other way around

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 is on Switch and features Spidey.

Just to add to this Xbox Studio Games are now on Xbox hardware. PC and mobile. This idea that PS is needed is missing the picture.

Microsoft probably has no problem putting those games on PS5, just as soon as Sony allows Microsoft to put Game Pass on there. 😅

Bullshit

@SolidGame_basic:

Dude...

They are independent insofar as MS isn't going to tell them what kind of games to make or what features those games have (unlike the EA/Bioware relationship).

There is not way Bethesda is going to make games for the Playstation platform without Microsoft's blessing - which they most likely will not do.

I think it was already made clear that the acquisition of Bethesda was about bringing exclusive games and content to platforms where Game Pass is available.. right now, that list only includes Xbox consoles, PC, and cloud streaming..

Also, using Minecraft as an example simply doesn't work.. Minecraft is essentially a persistent platform that already existed everywhere.. People already have money invested into Minecraft.. To remove that game from players would basically be the same as removing PlayStation support for Elder Scrolls Online after those players have already sunk time/money into to those accounts.. this is the kind of "legacy" content Phil talked about continuing support for..

now Minecraft Dungeons would be a better example of them releasing a new game as a mulitplat but it's still "Minecraft".. Minecraft is a juggernaut and anything related to that is likely going to be everywhere in order to limit confusion for consumers (especially since it's aimed at kids)..

all that said, I'm personally just glad I'll be able to play those games day-one in Game Pass regardless.. But as an Xbox fan looking through the lens of System Wars, after years of the "Xbox has no games" narrative, Xbox should definitely make all those games exclusive since "muh esckloosivez" is all anyone talks about..

I mean, Sony would make a ton more money if they made Spiderman a multiplat for both Xbox and PC.. Why does this "all about dat money" argument only get weighed at Microsoft?.. Sony keeps Spiderman exclusive (for now) because it will drive people to their platform.. Microsoft making Elder Scrolls exclusive will drive people to the Xbox platform and (most importantly) drive Game Pass subs.. what's the difference?..

playstation beggers

Already confirmed to be exclusive games.

Phil Spencer says future Bethesda games will be exclusive to "platforms where Game Pass exists"

https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-03-11-phil-spencer-says-future-bethesda-games-will-be-exclusive-to-platforms-where-game-pass-exists

Head of Xbox Phil Spencer noted that there are certain contractual obligations for titles to still come to other platforms, undoubtedly referring to Deathloop and Ghostwire: Tokyo, which are timed PS5 console exclusives.

Outside of these contractual exceptions, Spencer offered a statement that seems pretty clear moving ahead."...if you're an Xbox customer, the thing I want you to know is this is about delivering great exclusive games for you that ship on platforms where Game Pass exists, and that's our goal, that's why we're doing this, that's the root of this partnership that we're building - and the creative capability we'll be able to bring to market for Xbox customers is going to be the best it's ever been for Xbox after we're done here." Spencer said.

Seems more a statement about their creative freedom, not about whether their games are coming to PS5.

Oof. The meltdowns are gonna be epic!

Oof. 🤭

If PS allows GP I'm sure MS would bring the games over. Shouldn't matter though since PS only gamers have made it clear they don't like or care about Bethesda and Bethesda subsidiary games.

That is what I thought, but now we have this thread. 😅

@wonderwinner: Who do you think is going to have a meltdown? Genuinely curious.

Cows seem to be holding out too much hope other future Bethesda games will end up on PS5. No doubt this will evolve to some amusing port begging in coming years.

PlayStation is stronger than Bethesda this means nothing.