Microsoft buys Bethesda in $7.5 billion deal

Microsoft has announced that it has acquired ZeniMax Media, the parent company of major gaming group Bethesda.

The deal, which is subject to regulatory approval, is an all-cash transaction worth $7.5 billion, the Redmond giant noted in a press release announcing the acquisition. Bethesda’s leadership is set to remain as part of the deal.

Microsoft notes that its armada of in-house studios will therefore grow from 15 to 23 studios as a result.

“We will be adding Bethesda’s iconic franchises to Xbox Game Pass for console and PC,” Xbox chief Phil Spencer said in a post. Microsoft also noted that the intent was to bring Bethesda’s future games to the subscription service on the same day as they launch on Xbox and PC.

There’s no word on a timeline for Bethesda titles to come to Game Pass, but this will presumably happen after Microsoft receives the green light for the acquisition.

Bethesda’s major gaming franchises include Dishonored, Doom, The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Wolfenstein, and Quake.

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