[Opinión] Microsoft, Bethesda, Phil Spencer and exclusive games

Following the closing of the purchase of Bethesda by Microsoft, we appreciate the comments of Phil Spencer on possible exclusive games

It is official, after approval by the European Commission, Bethesda becomes a member of Microsoft for the sum of 7.5 billion dollars. This is how the purchase contract announced last September materialized. Bringing to 23 the total of studies that are part of the games division of Xbox.

Phil spencer published today a Item welcoming Bethesda Al Xbox team and left statements that follow the same line as in the past. He reiterated the freedom with which the studies of Zenimax Media to continue playing your games. And that from now on, the two consoles Xbox, the Pc and the Game pass they will be the best place to enjoy the games of Bethesda. Confirming in turn, that some of their games will be exclusive to Xbox and PC.

For some time now, the quality and number of exclusive games has always been an important factor in choosing which console to buy. A fact that, throughout history, has allowed us to identify the different console manufacturers with their respective iconic IP addresses.

The Game Pass as the main attraction

But since the arrival of Phil Spencer at the head of the Xbox brand, the landscape has changed slightly. Especially since the creation and evolution of the subscription service Game pass, the spearhead of Xbox today. What the average user has adopted as “the Netflix video games “. Where in addition to offering a catalog of over 100 games, all exclusive games are available at no additional cost from the day of their launch, which also includes Bethesda today.

Phil Spencer has stated on several occasions that his main concern today is to reach as many users as possible. Last year, in an interview for the psychic Games industryPhil himself said that “our consoles are not at the center of our strategy, nor are our games. We want to allow users to play the games they want, with whom they want, from any device“.

Something that gains even more strength with the arrival of xCloud, the game service via diffusion. Where we don’t even need a console or PC anymore to be able to play Xbox video games. A service included free with subscription to Ultimate Game Pass. Available for Android mobile devices and with a version for browsers still in development that would allow it to run on iOS or Smart TV systems.

Does Xbox need Bethesda games to be exclusive?

It may turn out one of the most controversial and controversial issues after the closing of the sales contract this week. Since the purchase of Bethesda from Microsoft, Phil Spencer has already stated on several occasions that possible exclusives will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

In fact, games like Deathloop The Ghostwire: Tokyo they will be temporarily exclusive to Sony consoles. But from now on, we’ll see how Microsoft reacts with the release of new titles. Among them, the ambitious science fiction game Starfield, VI Elder of the Scrolls or the recently announced game of Indiana Jones.

Whatever happens, Microsoft faces a “win-win” situation. Although future Bethesda games are not exclusive, Microsoft will continue to make money from them. And the rest of the platforms these games are coming to, they will have to deal with the irresistible offer which means playing Game Pass at no extra cost, rather than having to buy the game at full price on launch day.

What is your opinion? Don’t miss this week’s Xbox Community Podcast where we will talk at length about this topic. How every Saturday we’ll be live at 11:00 p.m. on our channel Tic.