Internal Microsoft documents revealed the terms for certain exclusive Xbox games like STALKER 2, which will be exclusive to Xbox for three months.As part of the internal Xbox documents acquired by The Verge, Microsoft shared a snapshot of newly signed ID@Xbox games including terms of their exclusivity.
In these documents, Xbox confirmed that the upcoming STALKER 2 will be an Xbox console exclusive for three months when it is released in Q4 2021. The Gunk will be a permanent Xbox exclusive when it is released in Q3 2021.
The other game included in the snapshot was Tetris Effect Connected, an enhanced version of Tetris Effect. The Connected features are exclusive to Xbox for six months.While limited console exclusivity is typical in many cases, the terms of these exclusivity periods are usually not disclosed. Some games can remain a console exclusive for a year or more.
Elsewhere in these documents are Microsoft’s plans to cut its share of the revenue on PC games to an 88/12 split. Meaning Microsoft will take just 12 percent of the revenue on PC games starting on August 1. This is the same model as the one Epic has and is considerably less than the standard 30 percent cut taken by Steam.
There are details in the document that suggested Microsoft considered lowering its revenue share on consoles as well, but the company has since confirmed there will be no change to the revenue share model for systems like the Xbox Series X.
Instead, it will remain 30 percent, just like on other systems like the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation.
Microsoft VP of Xbox business development Lori Wright has been called by both Epic and Apple as a third-party witness in the court case between the two companies. Check out our rundown of the first day of the Epic vs. Apple case which we’ll update as the case continues through the coming days and weeks.
Matt T.M. Kim is IGN’s News Editor.Source