In a stark, but not surprising move, Microsoft has acquired Zenimax Online Media, the parent company to Bethesda, for 7.5 billion dollars. This could solidify Microsoft as one of the premiere parent companies of some of the most well known and exciting RPG intellectual properties the gaming industry has come to love over the past several decades. The acquisition will include all of Bethesda’s library, including Elder Scrolls, and Fallout.
As the information permeates the internet, Matt Firor, studio director at Zenimax Online Studios has tweeted support for the acquisition and reassures players that Elder Scrolls Online will continue to grow as planned.
A note from Matt Firor, Studio Director of ZeniMax Online Studios: https://t.co/fI25uklrZ5 pic.twitter.com/q3qoJwUmXu
— The Elder Scrolls Online (@TESOnline) September 21, 2020
On Xbox Wire, head of Xbox, Phil Spencer, details how prolific the acquisition is, detailing the expansive IP’s and library of games that now fall under Microsofts umbrella.
“Bethesda is an incredibly talented group of 2,300 people worldwide who make up some of the most accomplished creative studios in our industry across Bethesda Softworks, Bethesda Game Studios, id Software, ZeniMax Online Studios, Arkane, MachineGames, Tango Gameworks, Alpha Dog, and Roundhouse Studios. These are the teams responsible for franchises like The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Wolfenstein, DOOM, Dishonored, Prey, Quake, Starfield and many more.”
Many of the games listed will now be joining Microsoft’s ever-growing library of Game Pass titles. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has weighed in on the acquisition as well.
“Gaming is the most expansive category in the entertainment industry, as people everywhere turn to gaming to connect, socialize and play with their friends. Quality differentiated content is the engine behind the growth and value of Xbox Game Pass—from Minecraft to Flight Simulator. As a proven game developer and publisher, Bethesda has seen success across every category of games, and together, we will further our ambition to empower the more than three billion gamers worldwide.”
Recently, Microsoft had also acquired another RPG heavyweight, Obsidian Entertainment, which is a well-known studio with ties to Bethesda and their Fallout franchise. Could the Zenimax acquisition see the two working together again?
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In a tweet by bloombergs Jason Shreier, Phil Spencer has told bloomberg that future Bethesda games will come to other consoles on a "case by case basis" meaning that we could see some Playstation 5 cut out of the loop for some future titles, but for now Deathloop and Ghostwire: Tokyo will still head to PS5 as planned.
To answer the question everyone is asking: Phil Spencer tells @dinabass that Xbox plans to honor the PS5 exclusivity commitment for Deathloop and Ghostwire: Tokyo.Future Bethesda games will be on Xbox, PC, and "other consoles on a case by case basis." https://t.co/Agyttr53LO
— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier) September 21, 2020
