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What Microsoft’s ZeniMax(Bethesda) acquisition means for the gaming industry

What Microsoft’s ZeniMax(Bethesda) acquisition means for the gaming industry

Microsoft will be acquiring ZeniMax Media,the parent company of Bethesda Softworks, for $7.5 billion. This deal has the potential to make major changes in the industry as Xbox will now have the ability to keep games from Bethesda exclusive to Xbox platform.

 Microsoft was also looking to acquire WB Games but couldn’t as parent company AT&T changed the decision and decided not to sell. Microsoft also, recently lost a bid for the acquisition of US operation rights for TikTok social platform.

 “With the acquisition of Bethesda, we metaphorically and literally double our gaming content capacity,” said Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella in an interview.

Which is true, as Microsoft will now jump from 15 to 23 creative studio teams. But, that’s not even the talking point. The acquisition means that Microsoft will now own the Bethesda Softworks, id Software, Tango Gameworks and other game studios and franchises that function under ZeniMax Media.

 “Like us, Bethesda are passionate believers in building a diverse array of creative experiences, in exploring new game franchises, and in telling stories in bold ways.”, said Phil Spencer, (Head of Xbox & VP of Gaming at Microsoft). “We look forward to empowering them with the resources and support of Microsoft to scale their creative visions to more players in new ways for you.”

“We are 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.” Source: Bethesda announcement

Bethesda published Deathloop and Nightwire:Tokyo were set to launch as exclusives to PC & PlayStation 5. Phil Spencer has said in an interview that they will honour the commitment.

Phil Spencer also said that Future Bethesda games will be on Xbox, PC, and on “other consoles on a case by case basis.“, which means there a possibility that future Bethesda games might not be available on PlayStation or Nintendo.

It is highly likely that ‘Starfield’ will be on the Microsoft’s Game Pass on day 1 of launch.

Elder Scrolls 6 being one the most awaited game of the franchise, might become timed exclusive to Xbox or a multi-platform game offered with Microsoft’s Game Pass right from day 1 of launch. Microsoft also could hold the game as a lifetime/forever exclusive to the Xbox console.

The addition of these new games to the Xbox console will attract more players to Xbox.

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Xbox also own Obsidian Entertainment, the developers of ‘The Outer Worlds’ & ‘Fallout: New Vegas’.

It seems finally the argument of Microsoft’s Game Pass not offering enough value or AAA titles will be over with games from franchises like Elder Scrolls, Fallout, DOOM, Wolfenstein, Quake and more. Xbox is about to become the ultimate home of RPGs.

Buying the Microsoft’s Game Pass for 9.99$ a month suddenly makes a lot of sense. This will cost you 119.88$ per year, which is a really good deal considering you will be able to play the new releases on day 1 of launch.

Xbox looks way ahead of PlayStation in the race of capturing the gaming market. If PlayStation doesn’t make big moves for its platform or if all above titles go Xbox exclusive, there might not exist an Xbox vs PlayStation comparison argument in the next few years.

Xbox fans are very happy with the new acquisition, because they know how it can define Xbox’s future in the video game industry for years to come.

It’ll be interesting to see what steps Sony takes to hold onto its playerbase and offer more titles for PlayStation consoles in an attempt to stay competitive.

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