The ongoing Federal Trade Commission trial to block Microsoft’s Acquisition of Activision Blizzard has shed light on the development of Bethesda’s highly anticipated game, Starfield.

According to the FTC’s allegations, Starfield was initially planned for release on PlayStation 5 consoles prior to Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda parent company ZeniMax Media.

These claims, along with statements from a creative director on Redfall, have become points of contention for the FTC, which is concerned about Microsoft withholding games from its competitors.

The acquisition of Bethesda by Microsoft has raised concerns about the future of gaming and the potential for exclusivity deals.

The FTC has argued that Microsoft’s control over game studios could lead to anti-competitive behavior, as the company could withhold games from rival platforms.

As the trial continues, the implications of Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard and its impact on the gaming industry remain uncertain.

This article will examine the details of the FTC trial and the potential ramifications of Microsoft’s acquisition for console rivals and the future of Activision franchises.

Key Takeaways

• Starfield was reportedly planned for release on PlayStation 5 consoles before Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda parent company ZeniMax Media.
• The FTC’s claim that Starfield was restricted for PS5, compounded by comments from a creative director on Redfall, will likely serve as evidence in the ongoing FTC trial established to block Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
• Reports of blocking games like Starfield and Redfall from rival consoles have become sticking points for the FTC, which announced its intention to block Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard in late December 2022 on the grounds that it would withhold games from its rivals.
• Microsoft has made recent promises to companies including PlayStation and Nintendo to keep Activision Blizzard franchises like Call of Duty available on all consoles, but questions still linger about future developments and whether Activision Blizzard games will eventually follow Bethesda into exclusive territory.

Microsoft’s Acquisition Impact

The US Federal Trade Commission’s ongoing trial to block Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard is shedding light on the impact of the acquisition on previously planned multi-platform releases.

One example is Starfield, which was reportedly intended for release on PlayStation 5 before Microsoft secured Xbox and PC exclusivity. The FTC alleges that Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda parent company ZeniMax Media led to the restriction of Starfield for PS5, and this claim is supported by Harvey Smith’s comments about Redfall, which was also originally planned for release on PS5 before Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda.

Reports of blocking games like Starfield and Redfall from rival consoles have become sticking points for the FTC’s lawsuit against Microsoft. The FTC argues that Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard would give the company the means and motive to harm competition by manipulating pricing, degrading game quality, withholding content from competitors, or changing the terms and timing of access to content.

While Microsoft has promised to keep Activision Blizzard franchises like Call of Duty available on all consoles, questions remain about the future of exclusive developments and whether Activision Blizzard games will eventually follow Bethesda into exclusive territory.

Concerns for Console Rivals

Concerns have been raised about the potential impact of Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda and Activision Blizzard on gaming rivals.

The US Federal Trade Commission alleges that Microsoft may use its newfound control over blockbuster franchises to harm competition by manipulating pricing, game quality, or player experience on rival consoles and gaming services.

Reports of Microsoft blocking games like Starfield and Redfall from rival consoles have become sticking points for the FTC, and may serve as evidence in the ongoing trial established to block Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

To address these concerns, Microsoft has made recent promises to companies including PlayStation and Nintendo to keep Activision Blizzard franchises like Call of Duty available on all consoles.

However, questions still linger about future developments and whether Activision Blizzard games will eventually follow Bethesda into exclusive territory.

As a result, the gaming industry is closely watching the outcome of the FTC trial, which will determine the fate of Microsoft’s acquisition and its potential impact on gaming competition.

Future of Activision Franchises

Potential exclusivity of Activision Blizzard franchises under Microsoft’s ownership remains a point of interest for the gaming industry. The US Federal Trade Commission’s trial to block Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard has raised concerns about competition in the gaming market.

The FTC argues that Microsoft’s control over Activision’s popular franchises, such as Call of Duty, could result in the withholding of content from competitors, ultimately harming consumers.

While Microsoft has made promises to keep Activision Blizzard franchises available on all consoles, questions remain about the future of these games. The acquisition of Bethesda and subsequent exclusivity of Starfield on Xbox and PC has raised doubts about Microsoft’s commitment to cross-platform gaming.

It remains to be seen whether Activision Blizzard games will follow a similar path, or if Microsoft will continue to prioritize cross-platform availability. As the FTC trial continues, the gaming industry will be closely watching to see how Microsoft’s ownership of Activision Blizzard will impact competition and consumer choice.

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