A new update from the Microsoft and FTC court proceedings may have revealed that the upcoming Project Fantasy is planned to be an Xbox exclusive. The high-profile trial, which started early last week, has been one of the highlights of the ongoing saga involving Microsoft's intended acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The controversial purchase valued at nearly $70 billion has gone through multiple hurdles since Microsoft first announced its intent to acquire the iconic gaming brand. Now, a new report has given fans more news about an upcoming game from IO Interactive.
IO Interactive would first announce Project Fantasy earlier this year as a bold new direction for the studio mostly known for its series of stealth action games, Hitman. While few details were officially shared about the upcoming fantasy game, job listings from IOI would later confirm that the new fantasy project would be an "online game." Project Fantasy also saw rampant speculation from fans suggesting the studio could be returning to a previously shelved RPG referred to as "Rex Dominus." Now, Microsoft's court proceedings have revealed Project Fantasy's exclusive status.
Recently publicized reports from the ongoing Microsoft court case have revealed Project Fantasy may be in development as an Xbox exclusive on consoles. The documents would share that the game, previously referred to as Project Dragon, had been considered as an Xbox exclusive as early as 2021, long before its official reveal. Project Fantasy was reportedly referred to as an "RPG Shooter," suggesting the game may boast shooter elements within its fantasy setting. IOI notably did not mention console exclusivity in its first reveal of the game.
Project Fantasy's console exclusivity to Xbox would bring another major release to the Microsoft console on an exclusive basis. Bethesda's highly-anticipated Starfield, set to launch later this year, was confirmed to be coming exclusively to Xbox, following Microsoft purchasing the studio in 2021. Microsoft has reportedly been emphasizing console exclusives according to statements from executives, reporting the studio wants to release at least 4 Xbox-exclusive games every year. The console looks to have several other high-profile exclusives on the horizon as well, including Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 and Ark 2.
The ongoing court proceedings between Microsoft and the FTC have already seen multiple new details surface through publicized documents. The purchase of Activision Blizzard was not the first time the Xbox developer intended to make a swing at other studios, reportedly considering purchasing Sega and Bungie in 2020. The court proceedings have also revealed Microsoft's window for the next consoles from itself and Sony, expecting them to come around 2028. Future updates from the court case will likely continue to see even more internal details surface as the legal battle rages on.
Project Fantasy is reportedly in development for PC and Xbox Series X/S.
Source: PureXbox