Official Bethesda Game Studio Under Microsoft Xbox

JAKARTA - After failing to propose to TikTok, Microsoft actually succeeded in acquiring ZeniMax Media, the parent company of the popular video game developer Bethesda Softworks. Microsoft's purchase is estimated at US $ 7.5 billion or around Rp. 110.3 trillion (exchange rate Rp. 14,796).

This means that famous video games made by Bethesda such as Fallout, Doom, Wolfenstein, Dishonored and The Elder Scrolls will belong to Microsoft and also Xbox. Later these games will be added to Game Pass subscription packages for Xbox, PC, and cloud gaming services.

"We are proud to announce that Microsoft has agreed to acquire ZeniMax Media, the parent company of Bethesda Softworks," said Head of Xbox, Phil Spencer, on Microsoft's official blog.

With the purchase of ZeiMax Media, Microsoft has increased the number of Xbox in-house game development studios. Including having control over several popular franchises in the gaming industry.

According to The Verge, the value of this deal is known to be three times what Microsoft paid for Mojang, the company behind Minecraft in 2014, amounting to US $ 2.5 billion or IDR 36 trillion. It will also be Microsoft's most expensive video game acquisition ever.

"Today, we join Microsoft, a company that we have considered our closest and longest running partner," added Director and Executive Producer, Bethesda Game Studios, Todd Howard, in a separate statement.

Today is a special day… We are THRILLED to welcome the talented teams and beloved game franchises of @Bethesda to Team Xbox! Read the full announce from @ XboxP3: https://t.co/Jn0HcTJ9Mi pic.twitter.com/iQVutgT6zq

- Xbox (@Xbox) September 21, 2020

Of course, this Microsoft acquisition is quite surprising, considering that Xbox will launch two of its newest consoles, Series X and S on November 10. Where Xbox promised Game Pass, it will have access to more than 200 games.

ZeniMax Media itself is a big game company founded by A. Altman in 1999. Not only Bethesda, this company also oversees several well-known game studios such as id Software, Arkane Studios, Tango Gameworks, and so on.

The acquisition of parent company Bethesda will include global publishing offices and development studios with more than 2,300 employees. Later, Microsoft will also establish a separate division for Bethesda with the current intact leadership structure.