According to documents made public as part of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) injunction against Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Starfield was originally not an Xbox-only game. That is right the massively anticipated space-faring RPG was originally going to be released on PS5!
The disclosed documents state that prior to Microsoft’s $7.5 billion acquisition of ZeniMax, both Starfield and Redfall were fully planned to be released on Sony’s flagship console. As Starfield was originally announced in 2018, before the finalising of the ZeniMax deal in 2021, it makes complete sense that the Bethesda RPG was meant to ship to Sony consoles.
Before the deal was complete, it was unclear if certain games would be made Xbox console exclusives. However, once business was done Microsoft announced that certain games, including future Bethesda titles, would be tied exclusively to Xbox and PC.
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The FTC appear to be using the acquisition of Zenimax as evidence to attempt to block the almost $69 billion purchase of Activision Blizzard stating that: “Microsoft’s actions following its 2021 acquisition of ZeniMax speak louder than the Defendants’ words.”
Though Microsoft has insisted it does not plan to make Activision games like Call of Duty exclusive both the FTC and competitor Sony believe otherwise. Sony has even stated that they fear Microsoft’s deal could result in the future sabotaging of Activision games on PlayStation.
In contrast, Microsoft has used its acquisition of Minecraft developer Mojang as evidence that massively popular games would still be available on multiple platforms. Microsoft has also attempted to make deals with Nintendo and Sony over the future of IPs such as Call of Duty. However, Sony appears to of refused any deal as of late according to GI.biz.
The case this week will go to trial as the FTC attempts to receive a preliminary injunction against the merger that would result in the deal being put on hold as the FTC reviews that it complies with U.S. antitrust law. A federal court last week also issued a temporary restraining order requested by FTC, to effectively block the Activision Blizzard deal going through until the trial has been resolved.
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A preliminary injunction could mean that Microsoft’s purchase of Activision Blizzard would not be finalized by the proposed contract deadline of July 18. After this date, the two parties would have to renegotiate, which could lead to Microsoft paying a $3 billion “break-up” fee to Activision Blizzard If a new deal isn’t reached.
The document detailing the PlayStation release of Starfield and Redfall also comes hot on the heels of a recent social media petition involving making Starfield a PS5 exclusive. Although the Bizarre petition may have been a prank or practical joke it currently has over 3,000 signatures and will probably grow in numbers as news from the trial continues to be released. In the long run this acquisition will most likely lead to Starfield and other games being forever tied to Xbox and PC alienating PlayStation players from certain AAA games.
Related: The Microsoft/Activision Deal May Be Blocked In Yet Another Country!
With this being an ongoing trial and each day bringing out new information, that ma either help or hinder Microsoft’s defence of the deal, there are sure to be many more interesting revelations. Be sure to stay tuned to FandomWire, where we will be sure to cover any other big news pertaining to this case as it comes out!
Source: Axios Journalist Stephen Totilo.
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