In early 2021, Bethesda and MachineGames thrilled fans with the announcement of a brand-new Indiana Jones game. Since then, details have been scarce, but recent developments shed light on its exclusivity. During the FTC’s investigation into Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, it was revealed that the game would be exclusive to Xbox and PC.

What makes this revelation intriguing is that initially, the Indiana Jones game was planned as a multiplatform release. However, after Microsoft acquired Bethesda a few months later, the decision was made to make it an Xbox exclusive. According to Bethesda’s head of publishing, Pete Hines, this shift was motivated by a desire to reduce risk and gain clarity from Disney, the licensor of the Indiana Jones rights.

Navigating the complexities of game development under a licensing agreement with Disney meant that Bethesda needed to streamline the process. By dropping a platform and focusing on Xbox and PC, they could better accommodate Disney’s feedback and meet their release timeline.

The Indiana Jones game isn’t the only title affected by Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda. Redfall, another anticipated game, also transitioned from a multiplatform to a console exclusive. According to Harvey Smith, studio head at Arkane Austin, this decision simplified development by eliminating a platform to worry about.

While console exclusivity is undoubtedly a strategic move to bolster Xbox’s appeal, it’s a delicate subject during regulatory hearings. Microsoft likely wants to downplay any perception of monopolistic behavior. Xbox boss Phil Spencer pointed out that exclusives work both ways, citing Sony’s ownership of the Spider-Man franchise, which resulted in exclusive games for PlayStation consoles.