Marvel’s Blade was one of the biggest surprises at this year’s The Game Awards showcase. However, in the days after its announcement, the internet finds itself wondering if the upcoming Arkane Studios title will be exclusive to Xbox or not.
Arkane Studios, a part of Bethesda Softworks, which is now under Microsoft’s massive gaming umbrella, didn’t confirm the platform availability of Marvel’s Blade in its initial reveal trailer. Thus, there’s speculation about its exclusivity to Xbox and/or accessibility on PlayStation 5 despite being, technically, a rare first-party Xbox title.
The absence of clear platform indications in the promotional materials and official statements has everyone wondering about its availability on non-Xbox platforms.
Was told it is
— King Gronk Nick (@Shpeshal_Nick) December 8, 2023
Arkane Studios, with a portfolio featuring acclaimed titles like Dishonored and Deathloop, embarks on a new adventure in Marvel’s Blade, focusing on the iconic vampire hunter’s escapades in Paris.
Nevertheless, while the announcement is a cause for celebration, the uncertainty regarding its exclusivity is casting a lot of doubt about its potential success, at least, commercially. Exclusive titles aren’t uncommon in gaming, especially for a title developed by studios owned by console manufacturers. Given Microsoft’s acquisition of ZeniMax Media, one might believe that it’s exclusive to Xbox. However, the lack of clarity is perplexing, to say the least.
The video game industry has witnessed a recent trend of traditionally exclusive titles expanding to other platforms. One notable example is MLB The Show, previously a PlayStation exclusive, now available on Xbox. This shift raises questions about the potential for Marvel’s Blade to follow suit, possibly being released on PlayStation 5 alongside Xbox.
The relationship between Marvel and console manufacturers is a crucial factor. While Sony’s Insomniac Games created a trio of PlayStation-exclusive Marvel titles in the Marvel’s Spider-Man games, with a fourth and fifth one coming in the next few years in Marvel’s Wolverine and Marvel’s Spider-Man 3, respectively, the situation with Marvel’s Blade under the Xbox umbrella is less straightforward.
Disney, Marvel Studios’ parent company, might prefer the game to be accessible across various platforms to maximize its commercial success. This aligns with Disney’s strategy of enhancing the reach of its intellectual properties.
Insider insights have contributed to the ongoing discourse. Some sources, such as Xbox insider Speshal Nick, claim that Marvel’s Blade is an Xbox exclusive. However, others suggest that Disney and Marvel might be negotiating terms for a multi-platform release, including PlayStation 5.
The context of anti-trust scrutiny and legal considerations also plays a role. Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard and the ensuing regulatory attention might influence Microsoft’s approach to announcing exclusivity agreements. This cautious stance could partly explain the vagueness around the game’s platform availability.
Bethesda’s history of releasing games on multiple platforms before joining Microsoft is also relevant. This past practice suggests that Marvel’s Blade might not necessarily be exclusive. However, the strategy post-acquisition could differ, with Microsoft potentially favoring exclusivity to strengthen the Xbox brand.
The comparison with other Marvel titles adds another layer to the discussion. Sony’s exclusive rights to the Spider-Man IP resulted in PlayStation-exclusive games, but Blade’s situation with Microsoft is different. The terms of the licensing agreement between Marvel and Microsoft for Blade could influence its release strategy.
Ultimately, the final release strategy for Marvel’s Blade, whether as an Xbox exclusive or available on multiple platforms including PlayStation 5, will be something that the internet will be keeping an eye on for the next few months.
