The Bethesda acquisition news some were fearing has been confirmed by Microsoft.
After months of finalising details, Microsoft has crossed the t’s and dotted the i’s on its $7.5 billion acquisition of ZeniMax Media. The video game conglomerate includes studios such as Machine Games, Arkane Studios and Bethesda Game Studios.
Announced back in September 2020, the merger will see franchises such as Dishonored, Wolfenstein and Prey come under the Microsoft banner. Bethesda and Microsoft announced the finalized merger via Twitter, with Bethesda releasing a celebratory video.
Here’s to the next journey only now getting started.
Today we have officially joined the @Xbox family.https://t.co/bee08Px13K pic.twitter.com/FUepkINYbo
— Bethesda (@bethesda) March 9, 2021
Microsoft head, Phil Spencer also slyly confirmed that some future Bethesda titles will be coming exclusively to Xbox, although failed to mention which. Discussing the matter Spencer stated:
“With the addition of the Bethesda creative teams, gamers should know that Xbox consoles, PC, and Game Pass will be the best place to experience new Bethesda games, including some new titles in the future that will be exclusive to Xbox and PC players.”
Additional Bethesda games will be making their way to Xbox Game Pass later this week. Spencer was keen to note that Bethesda “understands” the potential of Game Pass. Although suspected, this likely confirms that future Bethesda titles will arrive on Game Pass upon launch, much like the recent Gears and Forza exclusives have.
This is a momentous occasion for Xbox, as it has struggled to attain the same exclusive power that Sony own. However, with the potential exclusivity of franchises like Fallout, Elder Scrolls and the highly anticipated Starfield, the tides could be turning for Microsoft.
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