MachineGames’ Indiana Jones Game Was Originally Planned for Release on PS5

MachineGames’ upcoming Indiana Jones game was originally set for a multiplatform release, until Xbox’s ZeniMax acquisition changed plans.

During today’s trial between Xbox/Activision and the Federal Trade Commission, Bethesda’s Pete Hines revealed that Disney had an agreement with ZeniMax for a multiplatform AAA Indiana Jones game. After the Bethesda acquisition, the agreement with Disney was amended to transition the Indiana Jones game to an Xbox and PC exclusive. Hines said the game is currently set to hit Game Pass on day one.

First announced in 2021, the Indiana Jones game is coming from MachineGames, developer of Wolfenstein: The New Order and Wolfenstein: The New Colossus. MachineGames is a studio under the Bethesda/ZeniMax umbrella, meaning it was included in Xbox’s acquisition of the company. The developers haven’t officially announced platforms for the game, meaning Hines’ comments today are the best indication so far of where players will be able to access Indiana Jones.

The Indiana Jones game has been absent from Xbox’s showcases since its announcement over two years ago. Bethesda’s Todd Howard will serve as executive producer on the project, and Howard briefly mentioned the game in an interview last year, saying it would be a “mash-up” of different genres.

This isn’t the first we’ve heard of a ZeniMax studio game turning into an Xbox exclusive after the acquisition. After Redfall’s release, Arkane’s Harvey Smith said the studio canceled the PlayStation 5 version of the co-op vampire shooter.

We’re covering all of the news from this week’s Microsoft FTC trial, which could have huge implications for the proposed $68.7 billion acquisition. On day one so far, we’ve learned that PlayStation boss Jim Ryan wasn’t worried about Call of Duty becoming Xbox exclusive, and that Xbox admitted that it lost the console wars. Plus, Xbox’s Matt Booty said a decision hasn’t been made on a PlayStation version of The Outer Worlds 2. To follow all of the proceedings, check out our article on how to watch the trial and our coverage so far.

Logan Plant is a freelance writer for IGN covering video game and entertainment news. He has over seven years of experience in the gaming industry with bylines at IGN, Nintendo Wire, Switch Player Magazine, and Lifewire. Find him on Twitter @LoganJPlant.