Big news has drifted down the grapevine suggesting Bethesda is on the brink of announcing a new top-secret project in collaboration with none other than Disney. This revelation has the gaming world sitting at the edge of their seats, thirsty for more.
It seems like every time we think we’ve got a grip on what Bethesda has up its sleeve, another surprise tumbles out. This time, courtesy of a hefty Microsoft leak, our ears perked up to the possibility of a yet-unnamed licensed game.
Enter Shpeshal Nick, a voice in the Xbox Era podcast, who dropped the tidbit of Disney and its involvement in this now-not-so-mystery project. But which Disney property? From Star Wars to Marvel, the pool is deep and wide.
Roundhouse Studio, famed for its work on the Rune series, is whispered to be the mastermind behind this title. The air’s thick with speculation that it might be the online shooter, peppered with elements from a notable comic license, which we heard about last year. Given this direction, Star Wars might just take a backseat, leaving room for something else, perhaps from the Marvel universe, to shine.
Among the documents in the leak, two peculiar names popped up: Project Kestrel and Project Platinum. Puzzling, yes, but when pieces of the jigsaw fit together, one of these might be our elusive Disney game. This isn’t to be confused with the Indiana Jones title on the horizon by Machine Games – this is an entirely different beast.
Disney’s repertoire is vast. From the timeless tales of The Lion King to the cosmic battles in a galaxy far, far away of Star Wars and the heroic escapades of Marvel. A Bethesda title centered around Star Wars would be monumental. However, a Marvel game seems more likely, even though its had mixed fortunes in gaming.
Outside of Insomniac Games, which seems to have a knack for making Spider-Man feel alive on the PlayStation, Marvel hasn’t made the headlines much in the gaming space. Arguably the best among them Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy and it too was a disappointment in the eyes of Square Enix. Marvel’s Midnight Suns by Firaxis Games is a close second and it’s a barely passable imitation of the real thing, the studio’s XCOM series. And, oh, lest we forget, Marvel’s Avengers is on sale ahead of its official closure.
We’re sure Marvel’s Wolverine is going to do well based on Insomniac Games’ track record alone, but, this isn’t a multi-platform title. Xbox and Bethesda needs something to fire back. Could this be their attempt?
Todd Howard, known for his deep love for comics, is an influential figure here. Imagine, if you will, Bethesda crafting a Marvel universe, blending intricate storylines similar to those in Elder Scrolls.
Unfortunately, with Howard likely having hands full with Starfield’s post-launch DLC and other content, The Elder Scrolls VI and MachineGames’ Indiana Jones game, which is another one of his passion projects, someone else will have to take the lead.
Whatever the outcome, the blending of Bethesda’s craftsmanship with Disney’s epic narratives is a match made in video game heaven.
As the world waits, all eyes are on Bethesda and Disney, eager for an official announcement to confirm their wildest dreams or dispel their theories.
