Microsoft has announced plans to acquire ZeniMax Media for $7.5B in cash. 

Maryland-based ZeniMax is the parent company of Bethesda Softworks, which in turn owns development studios including id Software, ZeniMax Online Studios, Arkane, MachineGames, Tango Gameworks, Alpha Dog, and Roundhouse Studios. 

The acquisition will see Microsoft own all the intellectual property associated with games like Quake, DOOM, Fallout, Dishonored, The Elder Scrolls series of RPGs, MMO The Elder Scrolls Online, along with in-development Bethesda Games titles like Starfield and Prey.

Discussing the acquisition Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella, said: 

“Gaming is the most expansive category in the entertainment industry, as people everywhere turn to gaming to connect, socialize and play with their friends.

“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.”

While Chairman and CEO of ZeniMax Media, Robert A. Altman, added:

“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.

“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.”

Under Microsoft’s plans, Robert A. Altman will remain in place as Chairman and CEO of ZeniMax Media, and the company’s structure will remain intact, and the acquisition is expected to be completed in the second half of FY 2021. 

ZeniMax acquired Bethesda Softworks from Interplay Entertainment in 2007. 

AYO.NEWS says:

Despite its huge size and reach, Microsoft still has a relatively small esports footprint with its Gears of War and Halo titles, and adding Quake won’t make a dramatic difference right now. But, in the long term the acquisition will clearly give Microsoft plenty of opportunities to grow in the esports field. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

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