Microsoft purchases Bethesda parent company ZeniMax Media; future Elder Scrolls, Fallout games may be Xbox exclusives

Bethesda is currently known for its expansive RPG worlds and high-paced action shooters, but it may soon be known as an Xbox-exclusive developer.

Phil Spencer, the head of Microsoft’s Xbox division, confirmed Microsoft’s purchase of Zenimax Media, the parent company of developers like Bethesda Game Studios and id Software, earlier today. The US$7.5 billion acquisition makes these game studios and more part of Xbox’s network of developers. This deal is one of the biggest studio purchases in the video games industry to date.

Aside from the financial aspect, many gamers are curious as to what the shift in ownership will do for future titles under popular franchises like The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, and DOOM. Since Bethesda, id, and the like are now officially under the Xbox umbrella, there is a good chance future installments in these series will be Xbox exclusives. Spencer hinted as much in a press release announcing the deal, stating 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.”

That may mean Sony-centric gamers will be left in the lurch with the Elder Scrolls 6, Fallout 5, and/or the next DOOM game. If Microsoft forces ZeniMax’s game studios into Xbox exclusivity, then those games may never come to the PlayStation 5. Other possibilities include delayed releases on Sony’s and Nintendo’s consoles to bolster sales on the Xbox.

For Xbox Game Pass subscribers, the acquisition is good news. Spencer announced that Xbox will be bringing additional Bethesda games to the service later this week, though the exact titles have yet to be revealed.

If you are a fan of Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, DOOM, Wolfenstein, Dishonored, The Evil Within, Starfield, or other games under ZeniMax, you now have a good reason to buy an Xbox Series X or Xbox Game Pass subscription.

What do you think of Microsoft’s purchase of ZeniMax media and its associated game development studios? Let us know in the comments.

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