E3 2021 is right around the corner, and fans continue to speculate what Microsoft has in store this year. With Microsoft's Bethesda acquisition now complete, fans were wondering whether Microsoft would merge the Xbox and Bethesda showcase or hold them separately.
Sadly, Microsoft has refrained from confirming either of the two, with Bethesda's E3 2021 presence still largely a mystery. Interestingly, a new interview with Xbox Game Studios director Matt Booty sheds more light on the aftermath of Bethesda's buyout, including the much-needed confirmation about Bethesda's E3 showcase.
Speaking to the French media outlet Le Figaro, Booty revealed more info on what fans should expect from the Xbox and Bethesda brand later this year. As it seems, Microsoft will hold a "joint conference" in a few weeks to talk about its upcoming games. Booty is seemingly referring to E3 2021, which takes place from June 12, 2021, to June 15, 2021. He further went on to confirm that future Bethesda games would release day one on Xbox game pass.
Past rumors suggested that Microsoft's and Bethesda's E3 showcases would take place separately, but one after the another. As it seems, that might not be the case as Xbox and Bethesda would seemingly be under the same banner this E3. Booty also discussed how the ongoing pandemic seems to have affected Xbox's first-party studios. According to him, the production of new IPs and originals seem to have been hit the most, instead of sequels to existing franchises. With Bethesda's acquisition now complete, Xbox has 23 studios in its arsenal, some of which are working on new IP.
This number could expand even further with recent rumors suggesting that Microsoft would make another Bethesda-level acquisition this year. On being asked about the same, Booty said that he couldn't share anything at the moment. He further dived into clarifying how Microsoft doesn't want its long line of Xbox Game Studios to make games simply based on what might work best on Xbox Game Pass. With Game Pass being Xbox's center of attention, many fans had started to speculate that Microsoft would eventually double down on making games that have more longevity, including live service titles. If Booty's words are anything to go by, this shouldn't be the case.
Either way, many are curious to see what Microsoft has in store for this year's E3. Recent rumors suggest that Bethesda's mysterious new sci-fi RPG Starfield would have a major presence at this year's showcase and that the game would be exclusive to Xbox and PC. Bloomberg's Jason Schreier however, has indicated that Starfield won't be launching in the fall of 2021, as many had presumed.
Whether Starfield would release in 2021 or 2022 is still a big mystery, but an E3 2021 reveal seems more than likely at this point. Microsoft would have plenty to reveal this summer, including a deep dive on Halo Infinite, which is slated for a holiday 2021 release, and the new Forza Horizon game, which is rumored to be releasing this year as well.
Source: LeFigaro