Microsoft to acquire ZeniMax Media — September 21, 2020
Microsoft Corporation have today announced their acquisition of ZeniMax Media Inc. along with its subsidiary game publisher Bethesda Softworks and its studios Bethesda Game Studios and ZeniMax Online Studios. The deal was worth $7.5 billion USD.
Microsoft have stated their intention to bring Bethesda's franchises to Xbox Game Pass, with a same-day launch on Game Pass for any new Bethesda games released to Xbox and PC. Future Bethesda games will be on Xbox, PC, and "other consoles on a case-by-case basis" according to Xbox chief Phil Spencer.
Todd Howard and Matt Firor have written statements on the purchase, and Pete Hines has issued a press release.