ICYMI: Bethesda and Xbox Stream Brings Game Pass News, Contradictory Exclusivity Information

Phil Spencer (possibly) directly contradicts Microsoft's original statement on the matter.

If you hadn’t heard, Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda and all its studios has finally been made official this week. As such, the company is bringing 20 games to Game Pass for Xbox and Windows.

The list of 20 games reads as follows:

  • Dishonored: Definitive Edition
  • Dishonored 2
  • Doom
  • Doom II
  • Doom 64
  • Doom 3
  • Doom Eternal
  • Fallout New Vegas
  • Fallout 4
  • Fallout 76
  • Prey
  • Rage 2
  • The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
  • The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
  • The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
  • The Elder Scrolls Online
  • The Evil Within
  • Wolfenstein: The New Order
  • Wolfenstein: The Old Blood
  • Wolfenstein: Youngblood

In other news:

This news came as part of a Bethesda Joins Xbox Roundtable stream, where company figureheads talked about how Bethesda and Microsoft have had a longstanding relationship over the years yada yada yada. But during the show, Phil Spencer implied that Bethesda games will only be coming to systems that support Game Pass, which, in theory, would contradict the statement put out earlier this week that said “some” Bethesda games would be exclusive to Xbox and Windows. But he also says some games that had “a legacy” on other platforms would still come to those systems. So who the fuck knows, at this point?

“So obviously I can’t sit here and say every Bethesda game is exclusive, because we know that’s not true. There’s contractual obligations that we’re going to see through as we always do in every one of these instances. We have games that exist on other platforms, and we’re going to go support those games on the platforms they’re on. There’s communities of players. We love those communities and we’ll continue to invest in them. And even in the future, there might be things that have either contractual things or legacy on different platforms that we’ll go do. But if you’re an Xbox customer, the thing I want you to know is this is about delivering great exclusive games for you that ship on platforms where Game Pass exists, and that’s our goal. That’s why we’re doing this. That’s the root of this partnership that we’re building, and the creative capability we will be able to bring to market for our Xbox customers is going to be the best it’s ever been for Xbox after we’re done here.”

At this point, it’s probably just safe to assume big Bethesda games will be exclusive to Xbox and Windows. But it’s been frustrating watching Microsoft repeatedly contradict itself since the acquisition was put in motion back in September. Or, you know, just within a week of its last statement on the issue.

Watch the full stream below: