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Lorenzo Delli
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The news comes a few hours after pre-orders for Xbox Series X opened, and it’s certainly not a coincidence.
Good news in the last minutes. Microsoft announced that it has acquired ZeniMax Media, owner of video game publisher Bethesda Softworks, for a whopping $ 7.5 billion.. It shouldn’t be necessary to specify this, but it is the publisher who takes care of shows like Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, DOOM, Dishonored, Prey and many others.
The breaking news was given by none other than Phil Spencer, the head of the Xbox division. Phil, in a post on the official Xbox blog, admits that Bethesda games have always held a special place in the hearts of Xbox and millions of gamers around the world.
The head of the Xbox division says himself (obviously) happy with this acquisition, which will cause something like 2,300 study people around the world (Bethesda Softworks, Bethesda Game Studios, id Software, ZeniMax Online Studios, Arkane, MachineGames, Tango Gameworks, Alpha Dog and Roundhouse Studios) work hand in hand with Xbox Game Studios for the future of the ecosystem.
The statement does not mention what the future of Bethesda will be, much less what it will be. the future of video games produced by the famous label. What’s looming on the horizon is a likely exclusivity for Bethesda games on Microsoft platforms. The Elder Scrolls 6 is coming in the next few years, Starfield, the next Fall out and many other titles, such as those developed by Arkane Studios, that could be marketed only on Xbox and PC platforms.
Todd Howard, a prominent Bethesda personality, in a letter on the editor’s blog seems to give a countercurrent hint to what has just been said:
We share a deep belief in the fundamental power of games, in their ability to connect, empower and bring joy. And the belief that we should bring that to everyone, regardless of who you are, where you live, or what you play. Regardless of screen size, controller, or your ability to use one.
Bethesda and Microsoft believe in the power of video games, in their ability to connect and bring joy. A belief that should be extended to everyone, regardless of where they live or what platform they play on. The quoted cross section is more or less like this. But let’s remember that there is a lot of money involved, and it is also possible that Microsoft, in the long term, thinks otherwise.
Among other things, an acquisition that will also affect the catalog of Xbox Game Pass, which will be permanently enriched by some of Bethesda’s biggest and most famous games, as confirmed by both companies. And last but not least, Starfield is mentioned in Game Pass on launch day:
With the addition of Bethesda, Microsoft will grow from 15 to 23 creative studio teams and add the iconic Bethesda franchises to Xbox Game Pass. This includes Microsoft’s intention to bring future Bethesda games to Xbox Game Pass the same day they are released on Xbox or PC, such as Starfield, the highly anticipated new space epic that Bethesda Game Studios is currently developing.
It does not seem a coincidence that this announcement was made within hours of the opening of pre-orders for Xbox Series X. News that will deeply destabilize the video game market, regardless of what Microsoft’s moves are in the coming months. What do you think of Microsoft’s success?
Xbox and @Bethesda we have worked together for years. We share similar passions and beliefs. Proud to welcome you to the team @Xbox. Excited about how we will advance together in games for players around the world https://t.co/0BcLULyFYF pic.twitter.com/2aectsejsk
– Phil Spencer (@ XboxP3) September 21, 2020
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