Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Amazon Spring Sale
  • New Games for 2026
  • Submit your game clips
  • GDC
Don't miss these
Key art for The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, showing the hero standing in front of a flaming logo oblivion gate
The Elder Scrolls Todd Howard wanted Bethesda's original RPGs to be playable before worrying about remasters: "You can play Morrowind"
The Future of Starfield
RPGs Bethesda's Tim Lamb on the biggest changes coming to Starfield, the PS5 release, and why all those load screens are necessary
The Elder Scrolls 6
The Elder Scrolls No rush on The Elder Scrolls 6, Todd Howard says - Bethesda has "so many millions of people playing our other games"
The Elder Scrolls Oblivion Remastered screenshot with 'Future of Starfield' branding
RPGs How returning to The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion reshaped Todd Howard's stance on remastering Bethesda's RPGs
The Future of Starfield hero image
RPGs The Future of Starfield: How Bethesda Game Studios is beginning to breathe new life into its most misunderstood RPG
Starfield screenshot showing the new Anchor Point location
RPGs How your feedback helped shape Starfield's biggest updates: "We're always checking in," says Bethesda
A screenshot of the Adoring Fan seen in The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered.
The Elder Scrolls Todd Howard says Oblivion leaks didn't help Bethesda or players: "Everyone is gonna have a different version"
Elder Scrolls 6
The Elder Scrolls The Elder Scrolls 6: Everything we know so far
The Future of Starfield branding
The Elder Scrolls Everything Todd Howard told us about The Elder Scrolls 6, Creation Engine 3, and the future of Bethesda RPGs
The lighthouse looks at a twisting tree in Keeper
Games Best Xbox exclusives you need to own
The Elder Scrolls 6
Action Games Upcoming Bethesda games: every game currently in the works
A screenshot of Lord Sheogorath in The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered.
The Elder Scrolls Todd Howard explains Bethesda's approach to Oblivion Remastered was "what would we have done if we kept supporting it?"
Xbox Project Helix logo on black background
Hardware Everything we know about Xbox Project Helix - the next-gen Xbox console
A black dragon roaring with a manor house behind it and lighting in the sky during Skyrim.
The Elder Scrolls "The majority of this building is working on The Elder Scrolls 6": Bethesda's focus is on the RPG it revealed in 2018
The Elder Scrolls 6
The Elder Scrolls With The Elder Scrolls 6, Todd Howard says Bethesda has "handled" the Creation Engine "better than we ever have"
  1. Games
  2. FPS
  3. Xbox Series X

Microsoft and Bethesda intend to make their "best games" together according to Phil Spencer

News
By Kai Delmare published 26 October 2020

Spencer details the process behind the scenes and what Microsoft's plans are for the publisher

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Skyrim
(Image credit: Bethesda)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

Phil Spencer can't offer specifics about Microsoft's work with Bethesda and Zenimax's other studios, but wants to ensure that his new teams will be able to make the best games possible. Speaking with GameReactor Spencer touched on the future of Bethesda titles on the Series X and Series S consoles. 

When asked about his long-term intentions for the deal, Spencer was quick to explain that Xbox is yet to acquire ZeniMax. Rather, Xbox has announced its intention to acquire the company. In explaining the details of the acquisition, Spencer stressed that he's currently legally not allowed to sit down with Bethesda director Todd Howard and ZeniMax CEO Robert Altman to discuss future plans. 

Spencer explained that he's certainly aware of the many questions about the exclusivity of Bethesda games, but he instead shifted focus into his intentions for Bethesda's output as a publisher. While he has yet to sit down with Howard directly about the future of Bethesda, Spencer did say that the two have a longstanding friendship and have discussed the partnership. 

You may like
  • Todd Howard Starfield explainer Todd Howard was "really, really sorry" to see former Xbox chief Phil Spencer retire
  • Halo Infinite Season 2 As Xbox exclusives come to PS5 and Switch 2, new CEO says "we're going to keep meeting players where they are"
  • Phil Spencer Xbox boss Phil Spencer is leaving, and a Microsoft AI exec is taking over with president Sarah Bond also resigning

"In terms of what I want long term," said Spencer, "I want those amazing studious to create the best games they ever created." According to Spencer, Howard very much felt the same and expressed intention to use Microsoft's backing to make the "best games [Bethesda] ever built." 

There has been much talk about the potential exclusivity of Bethesda titles as a result of the acquisition. The GameReactor interview, on the other hand, took the approach of focusing more on Spencer's desire for the overall path of the publisher under Microsoft's umbrella. 

Microsoft is paying $7.5 billion to acquire ZeniMax, and is expected to close sometime in the second half of 2021.

To learn more about Xbox's plans for the upcoming Series X console, check out their official walkthrough. 

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
CATEGORIES
Xbox Series X Platforms Xbox
Kai Delmare
Freelance writer

Kai Delmare is a freelance journalist and news writer with bylines at GamesRadar+. During her time at GR, Kai focused on writing breaking gaming news and reporting on some of the biggest industry trends. 

Read more
Todd Howard Starfield explainer
RPGs Todd Howard was "really, really sorry" to see former Xbox chief Phil Spencer retire
 
 
Halo Infinite Season 2
Xbox As Xbox exclusives come to PS5 and Switch 2, new CEO says "we're going to keep meeting players where they are"
 
 
Phil Spencer
Xbox Xbox boss Phil Spencer is leaving, and a Microsoft AI exec is taking over with president Sarah Bond also resigning
 
 
Xbox - Future Owns
Games Xbox co-founder says Phil Spencer exhausted himself trying "to do the right thing" and he feels "worst" for Sarah Bond
 
 
Halo: Combat Evoled screenshot showing a grunt running away from an explosion in the sand
Games The head of Xbox Game Studios on Developer Direct reveals, multiplatform strategy, and hard lessons learned from 2025
 
 
Xbox Series X
Xbox Microsoft CEO says "we'll always" keep investing in gaming amid Xbox's announcement of mysterious Project Helix
 
 
Latest in FPS
Marathon Thief shell in dark lighting
FPS Games I'm in a situationship with Marathon's "worst" gun, and after 80 hours I'm not letting the meta break us up
 
 
An enemy player stands in the crosshairs of the player's sniper rifle in Combat Arena.
FPS Games Combat Arena codes (March 2026) for Coins and Crates
 
 
Marathon Triage runner
FPS Games Marathon sold just 1.2 million copies with nearly 70% on Steam, analyst estimates
 
 
Destiny Rising characters
FPS Games The Destiny gacha game is cutting its gacha garbage because "wolves do not beg for scraps"
 
 
A thief looking down a scope in Marathon
FPS Games After 80 hours of Marathon, I'm glad Bungie didn't try to please everyone
 
 
Marathon Cryo Archive shooting enemy runner with BRRT
FPS Games Basic guide and tips for running Cryo Archive in Marathon
 
 
Latest in News
Pixelated cow looks toward camera in Minecraft
Minecraft Mojang hired a "cow whisperer" to record new Minecraft animal noises: "The cows started to speak to him immediately"
 
 
DokeV
Open World Games With Crimson Desert out, Pearl Abyss is reportedly focusing on open-world Pokemon-like game DokeV
 
 
Mario riding Yoshi through space with Luigi and Peach flying along beside him
Animated Movies Super Mario Galaxy Movie stars Chris Pratt and Charlie Day won't confirm or deny whether Wario and Waluigi will show up
 
 
Six characters pose heroically in art for Star Wars: Zero Company
Strategy Games Star Wars Zero Company exists because late CoD co-creator asked about XCOM vet's dream game
 
 
Tom Holland and Zendaya in Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Marvel Movies After appearing in 5 projects in 2026, Spider-Man: Brand New Day star Zendaya says she'll be taking a break from acting
 
 
Borderlands 4 Harlowe in a buggy
Borderlands Borderlands 4 PC performance has been "pretty stressful," says dev, but Gearbox has done "a pretty good job" fixing it
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Jin, Suga, Jimin, V, Jung Kook, and RM in BTS: THE RETURN.
    1
    3 new to Netflix movies I recommend you watch this weekend (March 27–March 29)
  2. 2
    With Crimson Desert out, Pearl Abyss is reportedly focusing on open-world Pokemon-like game DokeV
  3. 3
    Super Mario Galaxy Movie stars Chris Pratt and Charlie Day won't confirm or deny whether Wario and Waluigi will show up
  4. 4
    Star Wars Zero Company exists because late CoD co-creator asked about XCOM vet's dream game
  5. 5
    After appearing in 5 projects in 2026, Spider-Man: Brand New Day star Zendaya says she'll be taking a break from acting

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...