Internet users seem very worried about the possible exclusivity of the new Blade game developed by Arkane for Xbox. The fact that Redmond has been ambiguous on the subject, not announcing the platforms, nor whether or not it will be Game Pass. And even if it is assumed, it is worrying.
The reasons behind this can be varied, and in recent days the rumor that Disney is negotiating platforms with Microsoft has strengthened. After all, the game has only just started development and it’s quite possible that everything is still to be decided.
Disney gives freedom to companies like Xbox to make their licensed games exclusive
However, in a recent interview with Axios, Disney’s head of gaming, Sean Shoptaw, confirmed that The ball is really in Bethesda and Microsoft’s court. Which opens up a better range of hypotheses as to why Spencer’s team hasn’t commented.
In Shoptaw’s words, they trust Xbox as a partner capable of reaching the necessary audiences, and Axios’ Stephen Totilo, confirms that they told him that the ball was in Bethesda’s court.
Xbox remains one of the biggest video game markets, we didn’t want to be too exclusive. We thought it would still reach a wide range of people, and we thought that financially and strategically for the game it made sense at the time.
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As we can glean from Shoptaw’s comments, Disney doesn’t impose any platform restrictions, or at least not in this case. It is therefore more than possible that it is Microsoft itself which is not yet clear on the platforms. That, or it’s possible they’re holding back so as not to sound the alarm over the FTC’s new appeal in the Activision purchase lawsuit.
About Xbox Game Studios
Xbox Game Studios is a division of Microsoft dedicated to the creation and publishing of video games. The company is responsible for some of the most popular Xbox titles, such as Halo, Forza, Starfield, Grounded, Sea of Thieves or Gears of War.
How many studios does Xbox have?
Microsoft’s gaming division currently has 34 active studios, with Activision Blizzard King and Bethesda being its latest acquisitions. Studios such as Tango Gameworks, Infinity Ward, Raven Software, Sledgehammer Games, Machine Gun Games are now part of this division’s conglomerate.