Microsoft has acquired ZeniMax Media, Bethesda Softworks’ parent company, in a $7.5bn deal which includes the acquisition of the Fallout and Elder Scrolls developer and Doom creator id Software. The purchase of Bethesda gives Microsoft control over some of the games industry’s biggest franchises, and a major boost to its Xbox Game Pass, as all Bethesda titles will be available on day one. The move underlines Microsoft’s commitment to expanding its gaming presence, and shows there is significant money to be made in the sector, potentially prompting other companies to pursue acquisitions. Bethesda will continue to function separately under the new owner.
Microsoft acquires Bethesda in $7.5 billion deal
Background
Microsoft has been acquiring many key game developers and publishers in recent years, including Playground Games, Ninja Theory, and Obsidian Entertainment. The acquisition of Bethesda is their biggest one yet.
The Deal
Microsoft has announced that they have acquired Bethesda Softworks parent company ZeniMax Media for $7.5 billion. This deal includes Bethesda’s development studios like Fallout and Elder Scrolls developer Bethesda Game Studios, Doom developer id Software, and Dishonored developer Arkane Studios. Bethesda has been a powerhouse in the gaming industry for over 30 years and has produced some of the biggest games in recent history.
What does this mean for gamers?
The acquisition of Bethesda means that Microsoft now has access to some of the biggest franchises in the industry, including Fallout, Elder Scrolls, Doom, and many more. These franchises are worth billions of dollars and are fan favorites around the world. Microsoft has stated that these franchises will be coming to Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft’s gaming subscription service, on day one. This could give the service a major boost and make it even more appealing to gamers.
What does this mean for the industry?
The acquisition of Bethesda is a huge deal for the gaming industry. Microsoft has been on a shopping spree in recent years, acquiring many key developers and publishers. This move shows that they are committed to expanding their gaming presence and becoming a major player in the industry. It also shows that there is a lot of money to be made in gaming, and many other companies may be looking to follow in Microsoft’s footsteps.
The Future of Bethesda
Microsoft has stated that Bethesda will continue to operate as normal and that their development teams will continue to work on the games that they are currently developing. However, Microsoft will now have more control over the direction of these franchises and may choose to make changes to how they are developed or marketed. We will have to wait and see what the future holds for Bethesda and their franchises.
The Verdict
The acquisition of Bethesda is a huge deal for both Microsoft and the gaming industry as a whole. Microsoft now has access to some of the biggest franchises in the industry, and this move shows that they are committed to expanding their presence in the gaming industry. It will be interesting to see how this acquisition affects the industry and what the future holds for Bethesda and their franchises.