Now this is massive news! Microsoft has just announced that it has acquired ZeniMax Media, the parent company of Bethesda Softworks. What this means is that Bethesda’s various franchises such as Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Wolfenstein, DOOM, Dishonored, Prey, Quake, Starfield, and more are now owned by Microsoft.
The news comes via a post on the official Xbox website. Microsoft acquiring ZeniMax means that the following game studios are now under Microsoft Game Studios:
- Bethesda Softworks
- Bethesda Game Studios
- id Software
- ZeniMax Online Studios
- Arkane
- MachineGames
- Tango Gameworks
- Alpha Dog
- Roundhouse Studios
This acquisition of ZeniMax Studios also means that Bethesda’s various franchises will be made available on Xbox Game Pass for console and PC. In case you’re unfamiliar, Game Pass is Microsoft’s service that gives subscribers access to a vast library of games for a monthly fee.
Microsoft’s acquisition is valued at USD 7.5 billion, making it even larger than Microsoft’s previous acquisition of Mojang (which was valued at USD 3.5 billion). This means Microsoft is definitely serious in creating a massive game library for Xbox Game Pass.
But what does this mean for Bethesda’s future games? Well, Bethesda titles will release on Xbox and PC, though there’s no word yet on if future games such as Starfield will release on the PS5.
