The scope of titles that fall under theXboxname has grown exponentially in recent years, with the longstanding console platform recently acquiring an array of successful video game development studios in what has become a kind of technological land grab. One of the earliest staple acquisitions that Microsoft and Xbox precipitated was the acquisition of Bethesda, known for franchises such asFalloutandThe Elder Scrolls.
This acquisition took place in March 2021 for around $7.5 billion and has since been dwarfed by otherXboxacquisitions, such as the record-breaking 2022 acquisition of Activision Blizzard for a staggering $68.7 billion. With that being said, several high-profile upcoming Bethesda titles are now confirmed to be exclusive to Xbox as a result of the acquisition, which has flung this particular deal back into the limelight.
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Starfield
The upcomingStarfieldis one of the most hotly anticipated releases to come from Bethesda that the studio has seen in quite some time. An expansive RPG that is set to follow a lot of the same gameplay beats as theFalloutandElder Scrollsgames,Starfieldtakes the Bethesda formulato an intensely detailed space setting.
Starfieldis the first brand-new IP to come from Bethesda in decades and has predictably set the studio’s fan base ablaze with anticipation. With over 1,000 planets for players to freely explore, it is no wonder that Microsoft has ensured that the hopeful title is exclusive to Xbox consoles and PC. It has officially beenconfirmed thatStarfieldwill be an Xbox exclusive, with the title surely being the perfect candidate for what kind of games Microsoft is hoping to make exclusive via the ambitious Bethesda deal.
Redfall
Redfallis another upcoming Bethesda projectthat has been officially confirmed by Microsoft to be an Xbox and PC exclusive. Developed by Arkane Studios and published by Bethesda,Redfallis set to be an open-world co-op first-person shooter set on the island town of Redfall, Massachusetts.
Vampires play the main antagonistic role ofRedfall, occupying the island and blocking out the Sun. With a focus on complimentary co-op combat roles and a gradual uncovering of a deep and layered narrative,Redfallis another game that has already amassed an excited audience in the run-up to its release. LikeStarfield, the Xbox exclusivity ofRedfallmeans that the title will be available on day one of its eventual release through the highly successful Xbox Game Pass subscription service.
The Elder Scrolls 6
Of course, the upcomingThe Elder Scrolls 6is another confirmed Bethesda titlethat has massive amounts of anticipation surrounding it. Given the success ofThe Elder Scrollsfranchise, combined with the fact that the last franchise entry released over a decade ago, the hype and discourse surroundingThe Elder Scrolls 6is unlike anything else associated with the studio.
Skyrimis one of the most successful games of all time, which still famously receives re-releases to this day, meaning the pressure will be high forTES 6. The acclaim and prestige surrounding this particular franchise ask whether Xbox will be bold enough to makeThe Elder Scrolls 6an Xbox and PC exclusive, in the same way that bothStarfieldandRedfallare. It is not yet officially confirmed what level of platform availabilityTES 6will possess, however, the precedent set by Xbox regarding the somewhat comparableStarfieldpossibly indicates that the nextElder Scrollscould find itself limited toXboxhardware. While this would be controversial, it would undoubtedly be a clear statement of intent from Microsoft as to the level and scale it is willing to utilize its many acquired studios to their maximum potential.
