Microsoft to Acquire ZeniMax Media and Publisher Bethesda Softworks

Via Xbox Wire, Xbox Head Phil Spencer announced Microsoft plans to acquire ZeniMax Media and its publisher Bethesda Softworks.

With this acquisition, Microsoft’s gaming division will go up from 15 to 23 studios. Those studios include: Bethesda Game Studios, id Software, ZeniMax Online Studios, Arkane, MachineGames, Tango Gameworks, Alpha Dog, and Roundhouse Studios.

Bethesda Softworks has an acclaimed lineup of franchises including the Elder Scrolls, Doom, Quake, Fallout, Wolfenstein and many more. The agreement says Microsoft will purchase ZeniMax Media for US$7.5 billion in cash.

“Just as they took the bold first steps to bring The Elder Scrolls franchise to the original Xbox, Bethesda were early supporters of Xbox Game Pass, bringing their games to new audiences across devices and have been actively investing in new gaming technology like cloud streaming of games. We will be adding Bethesda’s iconic franchises to Xbox Game Pass for console and PC,” wrote Spencer.

“And I’ve had the joy of doing it with some of the most talented, humble, and passionate people there are. They are part of my family, and my good friends. I have also had the pleasure of working with, and partnering with, many of the best gaming and tech companies in the world. But our longest, and closest partner during my career, has been Microsoft,” wrote Bethesda Game Studios CEO Todd Howard. “Today we join them, and I wanted to share some personal thoughts on what it means and our shared vision.”

“So why the change? Because it allows us to make even better games going forward. Microsoft is an incredible partner and offers access to resources that will make us a better publisher and developer. We believe that means better games for you to play. Simply put – we believe that change is an important part of getting better. We believe in pushing ourselves to be better. To innovate. To grow,” wrote Pete Hines
SVP of PR & Marketing at Bethesda.

Currently, there are two Bethesda games coming to PlayStation 5 first next year before their release on Xbox Series X/S: Deathloop and GhostWire: Tokyo.

According to the press release, Microsoft expects to close the acquisition in the second half of fiscal year 2021.



[Sources]: Microsoft (via PRNewsWire): Microsoft to Acquire ZeniMax Media and Its Game Publisher Bethesda Softworks. Xbox Wire: Welcoming the Talented Teams and Beloved Game Franchises of Bethesda to Xbox. Bethesda.net: Todd Howard On Joining Xbox; Why Microsoft Is The Perfect Fit.