Microsoft completes acquisition of ZeniMax Media

Microsoft has officially completed the acquisition of Bethesda Softworks parent company ZeniMax Media first announced in September 2020, the company announced.

The acquisition brings eight new studios under Microsoft ownership—including Bethesda Game Studios, id Software, ZeniMax Online Studios, Arkane Studios, MachineGames, Tango Gameworks, Alpha Dog Studios, and Roundhouse Studios—and a plethora of popular IP including DOOM, The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, and more.

“With the addition of the Bethesda creative teams, gamers should know that Xbox consoles, PC, and Game Pass will be the best place to experience new Bethesda games, including some new titles in the future that will be exclusive to Xbox and PC players,” head of Xbox Phil Spencer said in an Xbox Wire post.

“As we shared previously, it’s vitally important that Bethesda continues making games the way it always has. We look forward to empowering Bethesda’s creative teams to reach even more players around the world, helping make future Bethesda titles the biggest and most popular games in their history. Xbox and Bethesda have long shared a common vision for the future of gaming. Both as fans and as creators, Bethesda understands the potential of Xbox Game Pass.”

Microsoft will share more about what will come next for its teams later in 2021. In the meantime, additional Bethesda Softworks games are coming to Xbox Game Pass later this week. More details will be announced soon.

Bethesda Softworks also published its own blog post and a video celebrating its new home at Microsoft.