Microsoft Buying ZeniMax

Microsoft announces they are acquiring ZeniMax Media, parent company of Bethesda Softworks for $7.5 billion in cash. This will make Microsoft owner of Bethesda Game Studios, id Software, ZeniMax Online Studios, Arkane, MachineGames, Tango Gameworks, Alpha Dog, and Roundhouse Studios. The deal is subject to regulatory approval, and is expected to be conclude by the end of fiscal 2021. As noted in a tweet by Bloomberg's Jason Schreier, this means Xbox owner Microsoft is now actually publishing two games as PlayStation 5 exclusives. There's more on the deal in a post on Xbox Wire by Xbox boss Phil Spencer. Here's the announcement:
As the gaming industry transforms from a device-centric era to a player-centric era powered by new technology that provides the freedom to play with friends anywhere on any device, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) on Monday announced plans to acquire ZeniMax Media, the parent company of Bethesda Softworks, one of the largest, privately held game developers and publishers in the world. Creators of critically acclaimed and best-selling gaming franchises including The Elder Scrolls and Fallout among many others, Bethesda brings an impressive portfolio of games, technology, talent, as well as a track record of blockbuster commercial success, to Xbox. Under the terms of the agreement, Microsoft will acquire ZeniMax Media for $7.5 billion in cash.

With unique investments in content, community, and the cloud, Microsoft's gaming strategy differs from others by empowering people to play the games they want, with the people they want, anywhere they want. Games are the primary growth engine in gaming, and games are fueling new cloud-gaming services like Xbox Game Pass, which has reached a new milestone of over 15 million subscribers. With the addition of Bethesda, Microsoft will grow from 15 to 23 creative studio teams and will be adding Bethesda's iconic franchises to Xbox Game Pass. This includes Microsoft's intent to bring Bethesda's future games into Xbox Game Pass the same day they launch on Xbox or PC, like Starfield, the highly anticipated, new space epic currently in development by Bethesda Game Studios.

"Gaming is the most expansive category in the entertainment industry, as people everywhere turn to gaming to connect, socialize and play with their friends," said Satya Nadella, CEO, 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 seen success across every category of games, and together, we will further our ambition to empower the more than three billion gamers worldwide."

"This is an awesome time to be an Xbox fan. In the last 10 days alone, we've released details on our two new consoles which go on pre-order tomorrow, launched cloud gaming in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and now we're making another investment in the most critical part of our strategy: the games," said Phil Spencer, executive vice president, Gaming at Microsoft. "Generations of gamers have been captivated by the renowned franchises in the Bethesda portfolio and will continue to be so for years to come as part of Xbox."

The planned acquisition includes publishing offices and development studios spanning the globe with over 2,300 employees, including Bethesda Softworks, Bethesda Game Studios, id Software, ZeniMax Online Studios, Arkane, MachineGames, Tango Gameworks, Alpha Dog, and Roundhouse Studios. Bethesda's critically acclaimed and best-selling franchises include The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, DOOM, Quake, Wolfenstein, and Dishonored, among others.

Bethesda parent company ZeniMax Media was founded in 1999 by Chairman and CEO Robert A. Altman; Bethesda's structure and leadership will remain in place.

"This is a thrilling day for this company, our employees, and our fans. We have enjoyed a close partnership with Microsoft for decades, and this deal is a natural progression of those years working together," said Altman. "The big winners today are our fans. We are continuing to develop our slate of AAA games, but now with Microsoft's scale and entire Game Stack, our games can only get better."

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and completion of regulatory review. Microsoft expects the acquisition to close in the second half of fiscal year 2021 and to have minimal impact to non-GAAP operating income in fiscal years 2021 and 2022. Non-GAAP excludes the expected impact of purchase accounting adjustments, as well as integration and transaction-related expenses.
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95 Replies. 5 pages. Viewing page 1.
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95.
 
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax
Sep 23, 2020, 03:21
95.
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax Sep 23, 2020, 03:21
Sep 23, 2020, 03:21
 
Nullity wrote on Sep 22, 2020, 09:45:
VaranDragon wrote on Sep 22, 2020, 09:40:
yuastnav wrote on Sep 22, 2020, 08:04:
I have a bad feeling about any future Bethesda games running on Linux.

Heh, yeah lol.
Eh, I dunno. MS has surprisingly become increasingly Linux friendly over the last few years. Plus, the idTech engine has native linux support, so it's not like they have to expend additional resources in those cases.

That is true but I think that is more due to the fact that they finally realised that they cannot ignore Linux. It's crazy how much of their stuff is running on Linux and how they try to integrate it into Windows (which I welcome - since completely switching to Linux, even for gaming, the only contact I have with Windows is at work and I am so glad that I can just fire up bash to do basic stuff that would be either impossible or incredibly difficult using Windows) but I don't think that translates to gaming. On the tech side of things you cannot run Linux but when it comes to gaming it's such a niche market and I bet that Microsoft is going to go the extra mile to make sure it stays that way.

Anyway, Steam and Proton has been a real blessing. I don't think there is a single game that I tried which hasn't worked. It even works with remote play which is super nice.
I would like to be able to play the next Elder Scrolls game, though.
Now we donce.
94.
 
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax
Sep 23, 2020, 00:25
Kxmode
 
94.
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax Sep 23, 2020, 00:25
Sep 23, 2020, 00:25
 Kxmode
 
Mr. Tact wrote on Sep 22, 2020, 17:13:
I'm late to the party. Is there anything in this topic actually worth reading?

No. But we have some delicious punch in the fridge that your welcome too. It's cherry-flavored. Check out my tongue.
"...and in stonks, Fizzy Squeezy Stocklebocks leaped over Droopy Whoopy Bondfluffs, hitting 300-gigglebits to their 150-snorebucks. Meanwhile, in Whimsyland's market, the pancakes reached parity with pogo sticks."
Avatar 18786
93.
 
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax
Sep 22, 2020, 17:13
93.
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax Sep 22, 2020, 17:13
Sep 22, 2020, 17:13
 
I'm late to the party. Is there anything in this topic actually worth reading?
“Extinction is the rule. Survival is the exception.” -- Carl Sagan
92.
 
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax
Sep 22, 2020, 16:13
92.
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax Sep 22, 2020, 16:13
Sep 22, 2020, 16:13
 
mirthy wrote on Sep 22, 2020, 11:00:
It's crazy times but not really a new thing. Keep in mind Apple and google have their own gamepass-like arcades now too. The difference is they get 30% of those publisher's profits. PC doesn't really have that. Maybe that's another reason MS is picking up those companies. Now they keep 100% of those profits.

Or maybe MS will wall off their garden like Google and Apple and charge 30% of any software that MS doesn't own. For those of you supporting Apple over EGS, you wouldn't have a problem with this right?
If Russia stops fighting, the war ends. If Ukraine stops fighting, Ukraine ends. Slava Ukraini!
Avatar 22024
91.
 
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax
Sep 22, 2020, 11:00
91.
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax Sep 22, 2020, 11:00
Sep 22, 2020, 11:00
 
It's crazy times but not really a new thing. Keep in mind Apple and google have their own gamepass-like arcades now too. The difference is they get 30% of those publisher's profits. PC doesn't really have that. Maybe that's another reason MS is picking up those companies. Now they keep 100% of those profits.
90.
 
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax
Sep 22, 2020, 09:45
90.
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax Sep 22, 2020, 09:45
Sep 22, 2020, 09:45
 
VaranDragon wrote on Sep 22, 2020, 09:40:
yuastnav wrote on Sep 22, 2020, 08:04:
I have a bad feeling about any future Bethesda games running on Linux.

Heh, yeah lol.
Eh, I dunno. MS has surprisingly become increasingly Linux friendly over the last few years. Plus, the idTech engine has native linux support, so it's not like they have to expend additional resources in those cases.
Avatar 58038
89.
 
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax
Sep 22, 2020, 09:40
89.
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax Sep 22, 2020, 09:40
Sep 22, 2020, 09:40
 
yuastnav wrote on Sep 22, 2020, 08:04:
I have a bad feeling about any future Bethesda games running on Linux.

Heh, yeah lol.
Avatar 58327
88.
 
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax
Sep 22, 2020, 08:04
88.
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax Sep 22, 2020, 08:04
Sep 22, 2020, 08:04
 
I have a bad feeling about any future Bethesda games running on Linux.
Now we donce.
87.
 
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax
Sep 22, 2020, 06:45
87.
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax Sep 22, 2020, 06:45
Sep 22, 2020, 06:45
 
If you publish the most popular PC operating system and the most used office software suite found in practically blanket use in most civilized countries, and you manage to brick it, make key features stop working, make regular peripherals stop working two or three times a month, year after year, doing the same to the rest of the software is inevitable. They can't manage Win10, so it is doubtful they can add more things to manage and get better at it.

They are one of the prime players in dumbing down console games, and releasing them with lots of bugs and long before they are really ready for prime time. and then moving those practices into the PC game market.

Anytime a giant corporation buys up creative product producers, things usually go downhill one way or the other.
Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride! - HT
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86.
 
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax
Sep 22, 2020, 06:12
El Pit
 
86.
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax Sep 22, 2020, 06:12
Sep 22, 2020, 06:12
 El Pit
 
When they bought ZeniMax, did you feel the earth trembling? Did you feel the quake? Do you think gaming is now doomed and the landscape of games is turning into a wasteland? Do you expect some legal fallout between the studios and Microsoft as one result of the deal?
"There is no right life in the wrong one." (Theodor W. Adorno, philosopher)
"Only a Sith deals in absolutes." (Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jedi)
Founder, president, and only member of the official "Grumpy Old Gamers Club". Please do not apply.
85.
 
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax
Sep 22, 2020, 03:08
85.
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax Sep 22, 2020, 03:08
Sep 22, 2020, 03:08
 
MeanJim wrote on Sep 21, 2020, 17:15:
This might be good news. Since MS owns Obsidian and inXile, and now they own Fallout, there may be hope that future Fallout games won't suck.

This is the really great takeaway from these news. But, and this is a big but, Microsoft getting more monolithic is never good thing. Hell any corporation expanding like this is very rarely a good thing. I mean it's great for the corp, it's very rarely great for their customers.

This comment was edited on Sep 22, 2020, 06:21.
Avatar 58327
84.
 
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax
Sep 21, 2020, 23:31
84.
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax Sep 21, 2020, 23:31
Sep 21, 2020, 23:31
 
EricFate wrote on Sep 21, 2020, 19:23:
I see no downside here. Microsoft now has ownership of the folks at Obsidian who know how to write Fallout games that don't suck, and the folks at Bethesda who hold the license, I'm good with that. I just hope they launch Todd Howard into the sun at the first available opportunity.
I insist Major Kong carmack be tied to the rocket, as it barrels toward the sun! Golfclap Giggle
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Marcus: ... Bullies. Tiny d*ck egotists who hurt people for no reason, make people lock their doors at night. People who make general existence worse, people like you.
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83.
 
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax
Sep 21, 2020, 22:52
Kxmode
 
83.
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax Sep 21, 2020, 22:52
Sep 21, 2020, 22:52
 Kxmode
 
ventry wrote on Sep 21, 2020, 19:55:
Errrr.... Wow.....
Not sure what to think about this??
If it means that Elder Scrolls 6 is only available via Microsoft Store and or you need to have said store account to play it then.... I guess I hate it. Puke

Simon Says wrote on Sep 21, 2020, 21:21:
TheBigVlad wrote on Sep 21, 2020, 10:38:
Hopefully this will bring some much needed quality control to Bethesda's games. Also, Microsoft, please force Bethesda to use a new engine for future Fallout/ES games. It's time to retire Gamebryo. I really don't see a downside to this news.

The possible downside I see is all games going MS store and very hard to next to impossible to mod unless the devs graciously give players tools to do so.

It'll likely be on Windows 10 via MSS and Steam, Xbox Series X, and Project xCloud. Windows 7 users won't be able to play.
"...and in stonks, Fizzy Squeezy Stocklebocks leaped over Droopy Whoopy Bondfluffs, hitting 300-gigglebits to their 150-snorebucks. Meanwhile, in Whimsyland's market, the pancakes reached parity with pogo sticks."
Avatar 18786
82.
 
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax
Sep 21, 2020, 21:21
82.
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax Sep 21, 2020, 21:21
Sep 21, 2020, 21:21
 
TheBigVlad wrote on Sep 21, 2020, 10:38:
Hopefully this will bring some much needed quality control to Bethesda's games. Also, Microsoft, please force Bethesda to use a new engine for future Fallout/ES games. It's time to retire Gamebryo. I really don't see a downside to this news.

The possible downside I see is all games going MS store and very hard to next to impossible to mod unless the devs graciously give players tools to do so.
81.
 
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax
Sep 21, 2020, 21:09
81.
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax Sep 21, 2020, 21:09
Sep 21, 2020, 21:09
 
Just hoping they don't go the MacroShitStore exclusives route...
80.
 
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax
Sep 21, 2020, 19:55
80.
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax Sep 21, 2020, 19:55
Sep 21, 2020, 19:55
 
Errrr.... Wow.....
Not sure what to think about this??
If it means that Elder Scrolls 6 is only available via Microsoft Store and or you need to have said store account to play it then.... I guess I hate it. Puke
The Lame Stream Media in the USA these days is nothing more than a Democrat Party protection racket.
79.
 
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax
Sep 21, 2020, 19:50
79.
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax Sep 21, 2020, 19:50
Sep 21, 2020, 19:50
 
EricFate wrote on Sep 21, 2020, 19:23:
I see no downside here. Microsoft now has ownership of the folks at Obsidian who know how to write Fallout games that don't suck, and the folks at Bethesda who hold the license, I'm good with that. I just hope they launch Todd Howard into the sun at the first available opportunity.

Well said, sir. Bethsoft should have dumped his ass years ago. He should have never had that position in the first place. I wouldn't go so far as to say I hate him, but my dislike of him is intense. He's the sort of clown that shows the worst of what happens when corporate bean counters and gaming come together.



"The horse I bet on was so slow, the jockey kept a diary of the trip." - Henny Youngman
78.
 
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax
Sep 21, 2020, 19:40
78.
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax Sep 21, 2020, 19:40
Sep 21, 2020, 19:40
 
EricFate wrote on Sep 21, 2020, 19:23:
I see no downside here. Microsoft now has ownership of the folks at Obsidian who know how to write Fallout games that don't suck, and the folks at Bethesda who hold the license, I'm good with that. I just hope they launch Todd Howard into the sun at the first available opportunity.

This doesn't hurt, but there is still a big step getting the two to agree to work together and doesn't Obsidian have their own TES variant coming out? We'll see, better chance now? Sure, but still seems a bit of a long shot.
Avatar 17232
77.
 
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax
Sep 21, 2020, 19:39
77.
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax Sep 21, 2020, 19:39
Sep 21, 2020, 19:39
 
jdreyer wrote on Sep 21, 2020, 19:17:
HorrorScope wrote on Sep 21, 2020, 18:34:
jdreyer wrote on Sep 21, 2020, 14:16:
Going forward, all Bethesda/Zenimax games are XBox exclusives in order to drive people to that platform. They'll come out for PC two years after their XBox debut, if ever.

Where is this coming from? Bethesda's games already have crappy UI's made for consoles, easily some of the worst k/m interfaces, skyui helps a ton, but still dressing up a pig. It can't get worse.

Not a design decision. It's a business decision to push adoption of their platform through console exclusivity.

I'm not following you, first you mentioned 2 years after release coming to PC, there is zero proof of that now as everything has been coming out same day xbox and pc and on gamepass, everything and they've been adamant this is their stance, sure they could change their mind, but we have nothing at this time. And Bethesda games have had terrible k/m UI's already, to think the ui will get worse? I think we can only go up.
Avatar 17232
76.
 
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax
Sep 21, 2020, 19:23
76.
Re: Microsoft Buying ZeniMax Sep 21, 2020, 19:23
Sep 21, 2020, 19:23
 
I see no downside here. Microsoft now has ownership of the folks at Obsidian who know how to write Fallout games that don't suck, and the folks at Bethesda who hold the license, I'm good with that. I just hope they launch Todd Howard into the sun at the first available opportunity.
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