Microsoft has acquired ZeniMax Media, the parent company of game publisher Bethesda Softworks, for $7.5bn in cash. The deal includes eight game development studios under Bethesda Softworks and ownership of popular gaming franchises such as The Elder Scrolls, Fallout and Doom. Microsoft now has 23 first-party game studios focused on creating exclusive gaming content for the Xbox platform. The acquisition is one of the biggest in the history of the gaming industry and positions Microsoft as a major player in the gaming space. The deal has generated excitement in the industry, with some suggesting it is a signal of Microsoft’s commitment to exclusivist game titles.
Microsoft Acquires ZeniMax Media for $7.5 Billion
Overview
On September 21, 2020, Microsoft announced its acquisition of ZeniMax Media – the parent company of game publisher Bethesda Softworks – for a whopping $7.5 billion in cash. This deal, which is one of the biggest acquisitions in the history of the gaming industry, positions Microsoft as a major player in the gaming space, bolstering its Xbox team with some of the most popular game franchises of all time.
The Details
The acquisition of ZeniMax Media includes eight game development studios under Bethesda Softworks, including id Software, Arkane Studios, Tango Gameworks, and MachineGames. The deal also gives Microsoft ownership of popular gaming franchises such as The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, and Doom.
With the acquisition, Microsoft now has 23 first-party game studios that will be focused on creating exclusive gaming content for the Xbox platform. In a statement, Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox, noted that the addition of Bethesda’s beloved franchises will help expand the Xbox platform to more players around the world.
Reaction from the Industry
The news of the acquisition has caused quite a stir within the gaming industry, with fans and analysts alike sharing their thoughts on what it means for the future of gaming. Many are excited to see what Microsoft will do with the new franchises and development teams now under Xbox’s umbrella.
Some experts have suggested that the acquisition may be a direct response to Sony’s recent acquisition of Insomniac Games, indicating that the video game industry is undergoing a period of consolidation. Others see this as a signal of Microsoft’s staunch commitment to the development of high-quality, exclusivist game titles, which can redefine the gaming experience.
While it remains to be seen exactly how the acquisition will play out in the coming years, it is clear that Microsoft’s purchase of ZeniMax Media represents a significant shift in the gaming industry, and one that will likely have a big impact on the future of gaming as we know it.