Today, Microsoft announced it's plans to purchase Zenimax Media, the parent company of Bethesda Software, for $7.5 billion.
Zenimax Media is one of the largest game developers and publishers, with instantly recognizable brands under their umbrella. including Bethesda Softworks, id Software, and Arkane Studios.
With the gaming industry projected to earn over $200 billion in 2021, Microsoft hopes this strategic move will put the games for some of the most popular developers under the XBOX and Windows 10 family.
As part of this deal, Microsoft will acquire Zenimax Media and its subsidiaries for $7.5 billion in cash and includes the worldwide offices and studios with over 2,300 employees from Bethesda Softworks, Bethesda Game Studios, id Software, ZeniMax Online Studios, Arkane, MachineGames, Tango Gameworks, Alpha Dog, and Roundhouse Studios.
This deal brings legendary games such as Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, DOOM, Quote, and Wolfenstein directly under Microsoft's control, with potential XBOX and Windows 10 exclusives in the future.
"Gaming is the most expansive category in the entertainment industry, as people everywhere turn to gaming to connect, socialize and play with their friends," said Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft. "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."
Microsoft hopes to close on this deal in the second half of the fiscal year 2021.
Comments
NoneRain - 3 years ago
Wow, big move.
DyingCrow - 3 years ago
If something like this means that Bethesda games will not release in a broken mess state, then i'll give it some credit.
Now, IF the next Fallout and ES games come out as xbox EXCLUSIVES, we'll have WW3 for sure.
NoneRain - 3 years ago
Maybe Xbox exclusive, but won't be restricted to their console, as every MS game is coming to PC as well.
I hope this will help Bethesda QC... but I don't know if they will interfere with ongoing projects.
GT500 - 3 years ago
When someone says "Xbox exclusive", they mean the game is only available on Xbox. If the game supports Windows PC's as well, then that's more of a "Microsoft exclusive" than an "Xbox exclusive".
I know that things seem to be changing with the release of these new Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles, but traditionally when PC gamer's heard the word "exclusive" it meant we didn't get to play the game. For instance, it was 13 years before we got to play Halo 3 because it was an Xbox exclusive.
NoneRain - 3 years ago
You are right, but things indeed change... MS is moving the brand to encompass their game services have a while. That's why they're bringing "old" games to PC as well, and all their future releases will be on Xbox consoles and PC, so "Xbox exclusive" means console+PC.
For example, the GamePass for PC is actually called Xbox Game Pass. https://www.xbox.com/pc-gaming
doriel - 3 years ago
MSFT clearly has so much money, that they are invincible now. Nobody can stop this jaggernaut now.