Who Took Over Bethesda?
Microsoft took over Bethesda in a $7.5 billion deal, acquiring its parent company ZeniMax Media and maintaining that Bethesda will continue to operate as a separate business, allowing the company to retain its independence while benefiting from Microsoft’s resources and support. This acquisition has significant implications for the gaming industry, with Microsoft gaining control over popular franchises such as The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, and Doom, and Bethesda gaining access to Microsoft’s vast resources and expertise.
Introduction to the Acquisition
The acquisition of Bethesda by Microsoft has been a significant development in the gaming industry, with many wondering what this means for the future of Bethesda’s games and the industry as a whole.
FAQs About the Acquisition
General Questions
- What did Microsoft do to Bethesda?: Microsoft acquired ZeniMax Media, the parent company of Bethesda, in a $7.5 billion deal, allowing Bethesda to continue operating as a separate business.
- Is Starfield exclusive to Xbox?: While Starfield is exclusive to the Xbox console, users can still play it on PC and in the cloud.
- Who is the head of Bethesda?: Todd Howard serves as the studio’s executive producer, leading it with managing director Ashley Cheng and studio director Angela Browder.
Financial Questions
- How much money did Starfield make?: Bethesda is expected to make almost $1 billion from Starfield, making it one of the most successful games of the year.
- How much did Bethesda buy Fallout for?: Bethesda purchased the Fallout series IP from Interplay for $5.75 million.
Game-Related Questions
- Is Starfield the biggest game ever?: With over 6 million players, Starfield is officially Bethesda’s biggest game launch of all time.
- Will Starfield be realistic?: While Starfield aims for a grounded, “NASA-punk” aesthetic, it has its share of fantastical sci-fi contrivances.
- Will Starfield be multiplayer?: No, Starfield is not multiplayer, and was intended by Bethesda to be a purely single-player RPG experience.
Company-Related Questions
- Who owns Xbox?: Microsoft owns the Xbox gaming system, and has recently closed its $69 billion deal to buy game-maker Activision Blizzard.
- Is Doom owned by Xbox?: Yes, Doom is owned by Microsoft, which acquired ZeniMax Media, the parent company of Doom and Fallout studio Bethesda Softworks.
- Does Xbox own Fallout?: Yes, Microsoft has added Bethesda Game Studios, the developers behind the Fallout and The Elder Scrolls franchises, to its Xbox Game Studios.
Development-Related Questions
- Did Starfield take 25 years?: Starfield is the first new IP by Bethesda Game Studios in over 25 years, and has been described by director Todd Howard as “Skyrim in space”.
- Will Starfield really have 1,000 planets?: Yes, Starfield will have over 1,000 planets, all open for players to explore, with about 10% containing life, quests, and valuable raw materials.
Sales-Related Questions
- Has Starfield sold well?: Yes, Starfield was the best-selling game of September, despite being available on Xbox Game Pass, with PC being its lead sales platform.
- How much does Starfield cost?: Starfield Standard Edition costs $70, while the Premium Edition costs $100, and includes additional content such as the Constellation Skin Pack and access to the Starfield Digital Artbook.