Microsoft has acquired gaming studio Bethesda Softworks for $7.5bn, marking the company’s biggest-ever gaming purchase. The deal will give Microsoft access to Bethesda’s intellectual property and all of its studios, while Bethesda will operate as part of Xbox Game Studios. The acquisition means that exclusive titles from franchises such as Fallout and The Elder Scrolls will no longer be available on rival consoles such as PlayStation. Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, said the move would bring even more players into the Xbox community. Bethesda’s games have always had a special place on Xbox, he added.
Microsoft acquires gaming studio Bethesda in $7.5 billion deal
Introduction
Microsoft has made its biggest gaming purchase ever by acquiring gaming studio Bethesda Softworks for $7.5 billion. The announcement was made by Xbox head Phil Spencer on Sept. 21.
About Bethesda
Bethesda Softworks, part of ZeniMax Media Inc., is the creator of popular game franchises like Fallout, Doom, and The Elder Scrolls. The company has developed some of the most beloved games in the video game industry.
The deal
Microsoft’s purchase of Bethesda is a deal that will see it acquire all of the developer’s studios, as well as its intellectual property. Bethesda Softworks will now operate as a part of Xbox Game Studios.
Impact on the gaming industry
This acquisition will ensure that exclusive titles from Bethesda’s franchises will no longer be available on competing consoles like the PlayStation. It becomes a major addition to Microsoft’s upcoming Xbox Series X and Series S consoles, as well as its Xbox Game Pass service which has more than 15 million subscribers.
What Microsoft officials have to say
Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, said in a blog post on the Xbox website, “Bethesda’s games have always had a special place on Xbox, and in the hearts of millions of gamers around the world. Our teams have a close and storied history working together, from the amazing first DOOM, and its id Tech engine, innovating games on PCs to Bethesda bringing their first console game to the original Xbox, the groundbreaking The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind.”
He further added, “As I’ve said before, Xbox is committed to building the most welcoming, inclusive gaming community on the planet, so with Bethesda, we will bring even more players into the fold.”
Conclusion
This acquisition by Microsoft is a bold move that will have a significant impact on the gaming industry. Fans of Bethesda’s games can look forward to more exclusive content on Xbox consoles and PC while PlayStation owners will have to hope for something that matches Bethesda’s impressive catalogue of games.