What will Microsoft do with Bethesda?

What Will Microsoft Do with Bethesda?

Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda, the parent company of popular game developers such as Bethesda Game Studios, id Software, and ZeniMax Media, has sent shockwaves through the gaming industry. The deal, worth $7.5 billion, has raised many questions about what Microsoft plans to do with its new assets. In this article, we’ll explore the possibilities and provide some insights into Microsoft’s plans for Bethesda.

Building Out Xbox Game Pass

One of the primary reasons Microsoft acquired Bethesda is to bolster its Xbox Game Pass subscription service. By including Bethesda’s vast library of games, including popular titles like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Doom, Microsoft aims to make Xbox Game Pass a more attractive option for gamers. This move will not only increase the service’s appeal but also provide a competitive edge over Sony’s PlayStation Now.

Xbox Exclusives

Microsoft has made it clear that it plans to make Bethesda’s future games exclusive to Xbox and PC platforms. This means that gamers who want to play new titles from Bethesda, such as Starfield and The Elder Scrolls VI, will need to own an Xbox console or play on PC. This strategy is similar to what Sony has done with its first-party studios, such as Naughty Dog and Guerrilla Games.

Cross-Platform Play

Microsoft has also hinted at the possibility of allowing cross-platform play between Xbox and PC players. This would enable gamers to play with friends across different platforms, which could be a major selling point for Bethesda’s games.

Internal Emails

Internal emails obtained by The Verge suggest that Microsoft’s plan is to make Bethesda’s games exclusive to Xbox and PC, with the goal of increasing the company’s market share. The emails also mention the possibility of allowing cross-platform play and creating a "common platform" for Bethesda’s games across different devices.

Competitive Advantage

By acquiring Bethesda, Microsoft gains a significant competitive advantage over Sony. Bethesda’s games are extremely popular, and making them exclusive to Xbox and PC will attract a large number of gamers who were previously loyal to Sony’s PlayStation brand.

Potential Impact on Sony

The acquisition of Bethesda could have significant implications for Sony. With Bethesda’s games no longer available on PlayStation, Sony may need to rely more heavily on its own first-party studios to create exclusive content. This could lead to a shift in the gaming landscape, with Sony focusing more on its own IPs and Microsoft leveraging its new assets to gain a competitive edge.

Future of Bethesda

The acquisition of Bethesda has raised questions about the future of the company. Will Microsoft continue to operate Bethesda as a separate entity, or will it integrate the studio into its own organization? Will Bethesda’s games continue to be developed with the same level of creative freedom as they were under ZeniMax Media?

Conclusion

Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda is a significant move that has the potential to shake up the gaming industry. By making Bethesda’s games exclusive to Xbox and PC, Microsoft gains a competitive advantage over Sony and increases the appeal of its Xbox Game Pass subscription service. While the future of Bethesda is uncertain, one thing is clear: the acquisition of Bethesda is a major coup for Microsoft and a significant blow to Sony’s PlayStation brand.

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