Xbox has officially confirmed that two significant Bethesda titles, Starfield and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, will remain exclusive to Xbox and PC. This announcement follows a wave of rumors suggesting a potential multiplatform release for these games.
Rumors circulating in the gaming community hinted at Xbox's intentions to expand its exclusives to platforms like PlayStation and Switch. Speculations were fueled by concerns over Xbox hardware sales and Game Pass costs, leading to assumptions that opening up to other consoles could boost revenue streams. The rumors escalated rapidly, including claims about flagship titles like Starfield and Halo going cross-platform. To address these rumors, Xbox teased a special episode of its Official Xbox Podcast, which aired on February 15.
During the podcast, Phil Spencer clarified that Starfield and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will not be available on other platforms, solidifying their exclusivity to Xbox and PC. Despite earlier speculations, both games will remain solely on Xbox and PC, disappointing PlayStation fans. While Starfield has likely been experienced by most Xbox users, Bethesda's Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is set for a later release, with rumors pointing to a December launch. Spencer also hinted at a potential shift away from exclusive titles in the next five to ten years, noting the dominance of non-exclusive games in the current market.
Which Bethesda Games Will Stay Xbox Exclusive?
- Starfield
- Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
However, confirming some of the earlier rumors, Spencer revealed that four other Xbox exclusives are slated for multiplatform releases soon. While specific titles were not disclosed, insider sources suggest Hi-Fi Rush, Pentiment, Sea of Thieves, and Grounded are among them.
Intriguingly, Matt Booty of Xbox reiterated that all first-party Xbox games will be available on Game Pass from day one. This move raises expectations that Call of Duty 2024 from Activision Blizzard, post its acquisition by Microsoft in late 2023, might join Game Pass. However, conflicting rumors suggest that Call of Duty may not be part of the subscription service.
Furthermore, Sarah Bond, President of Xbox, hinted at groundbreaking advancements in the upcoming console generation, promising "the largest technical leap you will have ever seen in a hardware generation." Speculations are rife about Xbox's development of a new console and handheld device.