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Microsoft has agreed to a $ 7.5 billion deal to acquire ZeniMax Media, developer of game titles like The Elder Scrolls and Fallout, and its publisher Bethesda Softworks. The move is part of Microsoft’s strategy to strengthen Xbox with new games, technology, talent and business success.
“Games are the most expansive category in the entertainment industry, as people everywhere turn to games to connect, socialize and play with their friends,” said Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft. “Quality differentiated content is the engine behind the growth and value of Xbox Game Pass, from Minecraft to Flight Simulator. As a proven game developer and publisher, Bethesda has been successful in every game category, and together, we will advance our ambition to empower more than three billion players around the world. “
With the addition of Bethesda, Microsoft will expand from 15 to 23 creative studio teams and add the iconic Bethesda franchises to Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft’s cloud gaming service that has more than 15 million subscribers.
“This is a wonderful time to be an Xbox fan,” said Phil Spencer, Microsoft’s executive vice president of games. “Generations of gamers have been captivated by the renowned franchises in the Bethesda portfolio and will continue to be for years to come as part of Xbox.”
The planned acquisition, which is expected to be completed in the second half of fiscal 2021, includes Bethesda Game Studios, id Software, ZeniMax Online Studios, Arkane, MachineGames, Tango Gameworks, Alpha Dog and Roundhouse Studios.
“This is an exciting day for this company, our employees and our fans,” said Robert Altman, president and CEO of ZeniMax Media. “We have enjoyed a close association with Microsoft for decades and this agreement is a natural progression from those years of working together,” Altman said. “Today’s big winners are our fans. We continue to develop our AAA game list, but now with Microsoft’s scale and the entire Game Stack, our games can only get better. “
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