Microsoft on Monday, September 21 announced it has reached an agreement to acquire ZeniMax Media, the parent company that controls Bethesda and several of its development studios.
Which studios and franchises are included
The deal transfers ownership of multiple development teams to Microsoft, including Bethesda Softworks, Bethesda Game Studios, id Software, ZeniMax Online Studios, Arkane, MachineGames, Tango Gameworks, Alpha Dog and Roundhouse Studios. Iconic game series such as Fallout, Doom, Prey, The Elder Scrolls and Quake will now be under Microsoft’s control.
The acquisition does not automatically make future ZeniMax titles exclusive to Xbox platforms. Photo credit: Microsoft/Divulgação
Impact on game availability and Xbox Game Pass
Microsoft said in an official statement that it welcomes the newly acquired studios and acknowledged their contributions. The company noted that Bethesda has been an early supporter of Xbox Game Pass, bringing games to broader audiences across devices and investing in technologies like cloud game streaming.
Microsoft also stated that major franchises from the acquired studios will be added to Xbox Game Pass for console and PC.
Xbox Series X and S pre-orders
The announcement comes as Microsoft prepares to open pre-orders for its next-generation consoles in the United States. Pre-orders for the Xbox Series X and Series S will begin Tuesday, September 22, in the U.S.
Retailers listed for pre-orders include Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop, Walmart and Target. Prices remain as previously announced: US$499 for the Xbox Series X and US$299 for the Xbox Series S (direct currency-conversion figures cited in the source are not carried over).
Microsoft will also offer the consoles through its All Access program, which bundles a console with an Xbox Game Pass subscription for a fixed monthly fee, similar to a financed purchase.
