Microsoft Pitches $300 Million Rights Package for Iconic Game Adaptations to Hollywood

Microsoft has entered broad negotiations with major Hollywood studios and streaming services for long-term film and TV adaptation rights to its gaming franchises. Priced at over $300 million, the unified catalog features more than a dozen universes, including The Elder Scrolls, World of Warcraft, Diablo, and Halo.

A Single Mega-Deal Replaces Individual Contracts

According to industry insider Matthew Belloni reporting for Puck, the Xbox gaming division has abandoned its practice of selling rights title by title. Instead, the company aims to strike a wholesale exclusive deal with a single key partner willing to take on large-scale film and TV production.

According to What’s on Netflix, three industry giants are currently reviewing the offer:

• Netflix;
• Paramount;
• Universal Pictures.

The $300 million asking price has sparked serious debate, with at least one bidder expressing doubts about the economic viability of such a large upfront license fee without guaranteed production commitments.

Which Universes Are Included

The confirmed list of franchises available for licensing includes flagship IPs from Microsoft, Bethesda, and Blizzard’s combined catalog:

• The Elder Scrolls;
• World of Warcraft;
• Diablo;
• Halo (franchise rights returned to Microsoft after Paramount+ canceled its series following two seasons).

As noted by GamesRadar+, the deal covers only temporary film and TV production rights — Microsoft is not selling the IP brands or video game development rights.

Several of the tech giant’s largest properties were excluded because they are already bound by separate contracts: the Fallout series continues on Amazon Prime Video, a feature-length Minecraft movie is in production at Warner Bros. and Legendary, and Netflix is handling Gears of War adaptations.

Xbox’s Transmedia Strategy

The aggressive push into Hollywood directly aligns with the gaming division’s updated direction. Following the success of the Fallout TV series, Microsoft leadership views adaptations as a powerful tool to reach millions of new consumers.

As noted by The Verge, the strategy focuses on transforming key gaming franchises into global media universes spanning film, streaming, merchandise, and live events. If finalized, the deal will provide Hollywood with a foundation to launch multiple blockbuster sagas for years to come.