Just one day before the preorders of Xbox Series X/S go live, Microsoft has announced that it has entered into an agreement to purchase Zenimax Media, the parent company of Bethesda Softworks. This move, worth $7.5 Billion dollars, brings many blockbuster AAA franchises such as The Elder Scrolls, Wolfenstein, DOOM, Fallout, Dishonored, and Prey, as well as upcoming new IPs like Starfield under the Microsoft umbrella. We will see these franchises added to the Xbox Game Pass for console and PC, along with all future 1st party titles.
Xbox and @Bethesda have worked together for years. We share similar passions and beliefs. Proud to welcome them to Team @Xbox. Excited how we’ll advance gaming together for players everywhere https://t.co/0BcLULyFYF pic.twitter.com/2aectsejsk
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) September 21, 2020
It is also worth noting that in a blog post, Pete Hines, SVP of Global Marketing and Communications for Bethesda stated that, although the company has been acquired by Microsoft, they will still be publishing their own games. Could this mean that we will still see games released to other platforms? Or will Bethesda’s upcoming blockbuster titles like Starfield and The Elder Scrolls VI be exclusive to Xbox and PC.
-we’re still Bethesda. We’re still working on the same games we were yesterday, made by the same studios we’ve worked with for years, and those games will be published by us. – Pete Hines
Regardless, this is a huge win for Xbox and PC gamers everywhere. I for one, believe that Microsoft is just getting started and I am excited to see what the future has in store.
