Xbox Boss Reveals Microsoft’s Acquisition of Zenimax to Secure Starfield’s Exclusivity

Xbox boss Phil Spencer recently revealed that Microsoft’s highly anticipated RPG Starfield could have been a PlayStation exclusive if it weren’t for the company’s acquisition of Zenimax. During a discussion with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) about the Activision Blizzard acquisition, Spencer disclosed that Sony routinely pays competitors to skip Xbox. In order to prevent Starfield from skipping Xbox, Microsoft felt it was necessary to purchase Zenimax and secure the game’s availability on their platform.

“When we acquired ZeniMax, one of the impetuses for that is that Sony had done a deal for Deathloop and Ghostwire… to pay Bethesda to not ship those games on Xbox,” Spencer explained. “So the discussion about Starfield, when we heard that Starfield was potentially also going to end up skipping Xbox, we can’t be in a position as a third-place console where we fall further behind on our content ownership, so we’ve had to secure content to remain viable in the business.”

Microsoft acquired Zenimax and its subsidiaries, including Bethesda, in 2021 for a whopping $7.5 billion. Following the acquisition, it was announced that Bethesda would release “some” games exclusively on Xbox and PC. Since then, Bethesda has released Redfall as an Xbox/PC exclusive and plans to do the same with Starfield.

This revelation sheds light on the competitive nature of the gaming industry and the lengths companies are willing to go to secure exclusive content for their platforms. It also highlights Microsoft’s determination to remain competitive in the console market and maintain a strong lineup of exclusive games.

For more information on Phil Spencer’s statements to the FTC, including his comments on The Elder Scrolls 6 and Xbox’s commitment to PlayStation promises regarding Call of Duty, be sure to check out our related articles.

Please note that the products mentioned in this article were independently chosen by our editors. GameSpot may receive a share of the revenue if you make a purchase through the links provided.

If you have any news tips or would like to contact us directly, please email news@gamespot.com.

How does Microsoft’s acquisition of Zenimax affect the availability of Starfield on Xbox and other platforms

Xbox fans were in for a surprise when Xbox boss Phil Spencer revealed that Microsoft’s upcoming RPG Starfield could have been a PlayStation exclusive if it weren’t for the company’s acquisition of Zenimax. Speaking to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) about the recent Activision Blizzard deal, Spencer disclosed that Sony often pays competitors to skip Xbox.

Spencer explained, “When we acquired ZeniMax, one of the motivations behind it was Sony’s deal for Deathloop and Ghostwire, where they paid Bethesda to keep those games off Xbox.” This revelation sheds light on the competitive nature of the gaming industry and the lengths companies are willing to go to secure exclusive content for their platforms.

By acquiring Zenimax, Microsoft ensured that Starfield would not skip Xbox. “We can’t be in a position as a third-place console where we fall further behind on our content ownership, so we’ve had to secure content to remain viable in the business,” said Spencer. Microsoft purchased Zenimax and its subsidiaries, including Bethesda, for a staggering $7.5 billion in 2021.

Following the acquisition, it was announced that some Bethesda games would be exclusive to Xbox and PC. Redfall has already been released as an Xbox/PC exclusive, and Starfield is expected to follow suit.

This latest development showcases Microsoft’s determination to stay competitive in the console market and maintain a strong lineup of exclusive games. It also highlights the cutthroat nature of the gaming industry, where companies are willing to go to great lengths to secure exclusive content for their platforms.

For more information on Phil Spencer’s statements to the FTC, including his comments on The Elder Scrolls 6 and Xbox’s commitment to PlayStation promises regarding Call of Duty, be sure to read our related articles.

Please note that the products mentioned in this article were independently chosen by our editors. GameSpot may receive a share of the revenue if you make a purchase through the links provided.

If you have any news tips or would like to contact us directly, please email news@gamespot.com.