Exciting News: Microsoft Expands with Bethesda Acquisition
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Chapter 1: Microsoft and Bethesda
On March 12, after a long day at the office, I relaxed with my Xbox and opened Game Pass, where I discovered an exciting new addition: Bethesda's catalog, featuring twenty titles available at no extra charge. I had heard about Microsoft's plans to expand its portfolio with more game studios, but I was pleasantly surprised to see many of Bethesda's classic games available on Game Pass so soon after the acquisition was finalized.
On March 9, Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox, announced on the Microsoft Xbox website the acquisition of ZeniMax, Bethesda's parent company. This deal brought several studios, including Bethesda and Alpha Dog, under Microsoft’s umbrella.
Among the new titles featured on Game Pass are some of the most renowned games of recent years, such as those from the Elder Scrolls, Doom, Fallout, and Wolfenstein franchises. This is fantastic news for Xbox enthusiasts. The Ultimate version of Game Pass, which is a more comprehensive subscription, already allows access to Electronic Arts titles alongside Microsoft games, albeit at a higher cost.
Having these beloved games added to the standard subscription enhances the service's appeal. For Xbox owners and Game Pass subscribers, this acquisition promises significant advantages, and we can anticipate even more Bethesda titles to join Game Pass in the future. Additionally, games that were initially designed as PlayStation exclusives are now becoming accessible. For instance, the upcoming title Deathloop, previously a PS5 exclusive, is now listed for Xbox Series X/S.
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What Does This Mean for PlayStation?
Phil Spencer has confirmed that all existing contracts for games currently in development will be honored. Thus, we can infer that, at least in the near term, Bethesda will continue to produce cross-platform titles for both PlayStation and Xbox, along with PC and possibly mobile devices. The upcoming Deathloop for PS5, set to launch in May this year, is expected to remain unaffected by this acquisition.
However, looking ahead, as existing contracts expire, the future of PlayStation users accessing titles from Microsoft-owned Bethesda becomes uncertain. Spencer's announcement on March 9 indicated that:
“…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.” (Phil Spencer, Head of Xbox, March 9, 2021)
Currently, games under development and contractual obligations are expected to remain available on other platforms. Similar to Microsoft's previous acquisitions of game studios, existing cross-platform titles from Bethesda will continue to receive support.
Final Thoughts
Both PlayStation and Nintendo have long been recognized for their exclusive titles. While Microsoft previously had some exclusives, such as Halo and Forza, it struggled to compete in terms of the total number of must-have titles. However, Microsoft's recent strategy of acquiring multiple game studios will soon level the playing field. The company aims to make its titles available across all platforms compatible with Game Pass, whether on console, PC, or through cloud gaming. Their focus appears to be less on competing for console market share and more on delivering games directly to their audience, with Game Pass at the heart of this initiative. The addition of Bethesda to their portfolio will significantly contribute to achieving this goal.
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