Microsoft has refocused its efforts on gaming after a humbling first year of its third console war, but they will not go quietly into the night. The exclusivity announcement was made today by Microsoft Vice President Phil Harrison at Gamescom in Germany.

Crystal Dynamics, the game’s developer, explained in on its official blog that they “believe this will be a step to really forging the Tomb Raider brand as one of the biggest in gaming, with the help, belief and backing of a major partner like Microsoft.”

It’s not clear yet whether or not this will be a timed exclusive. But one thing is certain; it must have been a big check.

Update: Phil Spencer has confirmed, in an interview with Eurogamer, that there is a duration for the exclusivity to Xbox.

“Yes, the deal has a duration. I didn’t buy it. I don’t own the franchise,” said Spencer. “I have Tomb Raider shipping next holiday exclusively on Xbox. It is Xbox 360 and Xbox One. I’m not trying to fake anybody out in terms of where this thing is. What they do with the franchise in the long run is not mine. I don’t control it.”

Spencer also addressed the negative reaction from fans of the franchise who expected the game to be available on Playstation or PC:

“I get the reaction I see. If I’m a PlayStation person all of a sudden I feel like, the franchise has gone,” he said. “I didn’t buy the IP. I didn’t buy the studio. It’s not mine. Where this thing will go over time, just like Dead Rising or Ryse, we’ll see what happens with the game.”

There was no word on the length of the agreement.