Microsoft Acquires ZeniMax Media and Bethesda Softworks in $7.5 Billion Deal

Today Microsoft announced it has acquired ZeniMax Media, the parent company of Bethesda and the studios behind major franchises such as Fallout, DOOM, Dishonored, The Elder Scrolls, and even games currently in development like Starfield. According to the official press release, Microsoft will acquire ZeniMax for $7.5 billion in cash.

In a blog post on Xbox Wire, Head of Xbox Phil Spencer wrote that this acquisition is a “landmark step”. He also noted that Bethesda took the bold first steps to bring The Elder Scrolls to the first Xbox and how the company was also one of the early supporters of Xbox Game Pass.

Bethesda’s games have always had a special place on Xbox and in the hearts of millions of gamers around the world. Our teams have a close and storied history working together, from the amazing first DOOM, and its id Tech engine, innovating games on PCs to Bethesda bringing their first console game to the original Xbox, the groundbreaking The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. Over the years I’ve had many deep conversations with the creative leaders at Bethesda on the future of gaming and we’ve long shared similar visions for the opportunities for creators and their games to reach more players in more ways.

In a separate letter, the head of Bethesda Game Studios, Todd Howard, detailed Bethesda’s long-standing and close relationship with Xbox, stating how “the trajectory of Xbox and the trajectory of Bethesda, in many ways have gone hand in hand.”

Microsoft will be adding Bethesda’s games to Xbox Game Pass for console and PC and plans to release games on the service the same day they launch on Xbox or PC.