Now that Microsoft’s ZeniMax acquisition has received everything from regulators, Xbox is apparently getting ready to give more details on what the deal means for its Game Pass customers. It will be announced specifically in a video presentation on Thursday that numerous Bethesda games will soon go to the subscription service, according to sources close to VentureBeat.
It will also emphasize that all future and contractually eligible titles from the broader ZeniMax range – which also includes the studio ID and Arcane – will be available on Game Pass during the launch. Along with the vivid series of the video game business, Bethesda’s iconic series is included The Elder Scrolls and Dropout, id’s Doem and Shaking and Arkane’s Disgrace and Prey.
What is currently unclear is whether Microsoft will address the issue of exclusivity. Xbox chief Phil Spencer said earlier Bloomberg that it honors Bethesda’s agreement with Sony to release Deathloop and Ghostwire: Tokyo as PlayStation 5 exclusively for a limited time. Meanwhile, the company is also planning on launching upcoming Bethesda titles such as Starfield to Xbox, Windows PCs and Game Pass, while using a “case-by-case” approach for releases on other consoles. Other expected Bethesda titles include The Elder Scrolls 6 and a new Indiana Jones games.
VentureBeat adds that talks between Xbox and Bethesda are continuing, with plans to announce the video presentation in the coming days. It is understood that the companies are also planning to present separate E3 exhibitions this summer, which will be held from behind. By that time, Microsoft should have concluded its ZeniMax acquisition.