Bethesda has revealed that the upcomingIndiana Jonestitle from MachineGames will be an Xbox and PC exclusive. The confirmation was made as part of the witness testimony in the ongoing FTC v. Microsoft hearing as theFTC looks to block the Activision Blizzard deal. It’s worth noting that not much is known about the seemingly ambitiousIndiana Jonesgame, particularly its platform availability until today’s hearing.
While general expectations hinted that Microsoft would have offered an update on MachinesGames' project at the recently concluded Xbox showcase, the company has remained silent for the most part. Although interestingly, a job posting from last year indicated that theIndiana Jonesgame may include multiplayer and companionsas part of the gameplay. Of course, neither the studio nor Microsoft has officially confirmed nor offered any details on what players can expect from the title. However, Bethesda’s latest revelation is bound to spark conversation among many gamers all the same.
RELATED:Microsoft Says Xbox Lost the Console Wars
As part of the ongoing FTC v. Microsoft hearing, Bethesda’s head of global publishing Pete Hines confirmed that MachineGames’Indiana Joneswill be exclusive to Xbox and PC and that it will be available on Game Pass on day one. During the same witness testimony, the FTC counsel revealed that Disney previously had a multi-platform deal for the game and that it was amended post-Bethesda acquisition by Microsoft. When asked about the change, Hines claimed that Bethesda was thinking along the lines of “reducing risk and trying to get to a degree of certainty,” while bringingIndiana Jonesto Xbox Game Pass.
However,Indiana Jonesisn’t the only Bethesda title that has been made Xbox exclusive in recent years. BothRedfallandStarfieldwere made exclusive to Xbox and PC after Microsoft acquired ZeniMax Media for $7.5 billion back in 2021. The FTC argues that Microsoft could follow a similar strategy if it buys out Activision Blizzard. Although Microsoft’s adherence to theEU’s conditions with regard to the Activision acquisitionand its 10-yearCall of Dutyoffer to Sony could garner favor for the Xbox maker.
Amid the situation, Sony continues to voice its opposition against Microsoft’s pending $68.7 billion acquisition. In a statement for the FTC v. Microsoft hearing, PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan claimed thatActivision could be left out of the PlayStation 6 loopshould the deal go through. The company claims that it “could not run the risk of a company that was owned by a direct competitor having access to that information.” Either way, it will be interesting to see how things pan out for Microsoft as regulators and rivals continue to push back on the acquisition. As for theIndiana Jonesgame, time will tell how the Xbox exclusivity will work out for Microsoft when the title eventually launches on its platforms.
MachineGames’Indiana Jonesgame is in development for PC and Xbox Series X/S.
MORE:MachineGames’ Indiana Jones Project May be Exactly What the Series Needs Right Now
