Microsoft announced on September 21, 2020, that it will acquire ZeniMax Media, the parent company of Bethesda Softworks, which produces popular games such as "Fallout" and "Doom. The purchase price is 7.5 billion USD ($7.5 billion).
The purchase price is 7.5 billion USD (approximately 780 billion JPY) and is expected to be completed in the first half of 2021.
After almost a lifetime of working together, we're excited to be joining our longest and closest partner, @Xbox.
A message from Todd Howard: https://t.co/d5Fn5WvB8S pic.twitter.com/81MNr46yoV
— Bethesda Game Studios (@BethesdaStudios) September 21, 2020
The purpose of the acquisition is to strengthen Xbox Game Pass.
Microsoft has launched a cloud gaming service called "Xbox Game Pass," which is available for Xbox One/One X, Xbox Series X/Series S, and Windows 10.
ZeniMax Media owns some of the world's most popular IPs and development studios, and Microsoft will have access to them all at once, allowing first-parties to enhance Xbox Game Pass as well.
While cloud gaming competitors include Sony's PlayStation Now, Nvidia's GeForce NOW, Google's Stadia, Apple's Apple Arcade, Amazon's Prime Gaming, and NTT Plala's Hikari TV Games Xbox Game Pass is unique in that it can be played on both PCs and consoles.
PS5 exclusive titles continue to be available.
"DEATHLOOP" and "GhostWire: Tokyo" are PS5 exclusive titles on the console, but will not be sold on Xbox.
To answer the question everyone is asking: Phil Spencer tells @dinabass that Xbox plans to honor the PS5 exclusivity commitment for Deathloop and Ghostwire: Tokyo.
Future Bethesda games will be on Xbox, PC, and "other consoles on a case by case basis." https://t.co/Agyttr53LO
— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier) September 21, 2020
TGS 2020 starts tomorrow, more surprises?
TGS 2020 Online will be held from tomorrow, September 24, and Microsoft was the top batsman, but before TGS 2020, the world was shocked by the announcement of a big acquisition, which was not expected.
We expect a big surprise at TGS 2020 Online as well.