Breaking: Microsoft buys Bethesda

Giant purchase brings mega-publisher into Microsoft family

Hold onto your butts: In a shocking bit of news on a Monday morning, Microsoft has purchased Bethesda.

The companies jointly announced the news, as Microsoft confirmed the $7.5 Billion purchase of the giant privately owned company, on the eve of the Xbox Series X preorders going live. The news means that Microsoft has now added Doom, Elder Scrolls, Starfield, Dishonored, Quake, Fallout, and so many more IPs to its family. The news sent shockwaves across the industry, and has led to both rampant speculation and possibly cool opportunities.

Xbox and @Bethesda have worked together for years. We share similar passions and beliefs. Proud to welcome them to Team @Xbox. Excited how we’ll advance gaming together for players everywhere https://t.co/0BcLULyFYF pic.twitter.com/2aectsejsk

— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) September 21, 2020

Most importantly though, the deal signifies the impact that Microsoft believes Game Pass will have on the industry going forward. In fact, the best bet would probably be to push the Xbox brand as Game Pass first and physical box second, but that conversation is for another day.

Here’s a breakdown of some of the key points:

• The purchase is Microsoft’s biggest gaming purchase so far — surpassing Mojang/Minecraft
• New titles in the Elder Scrolls, Doom, Quake IPs will now launch on Gamepass on Day 1
• Game Pass now has over 15 million subscribers
• Xbox now jumps from 15 to 23 in-house development studios

Now on to the speculation/fan-service part:

• Now that Obsidian and Bethesda are stablemates again, give us Fallout: New Vegas 2 please
• Let’s get Doom Guy and Master Chief in a one-on-one brawl
• With Gamepass being the best deal in gaming, do we even need to upgrade to a new console right now?
• How long before Game Pass comes to PS5 (and Switch/Switch Pro)?

Source: Microsoft