Microsoft confirms its Bethesda acquisition is complete and ‘some games’ will be exclusive

Microsoft has officially completed the acquisition of ZeniMax Media, parent company of Bethesda Softworks, it announced on Tuesday.

“It’s an honor to welcome the eight incredibly talented development studios – Bethesda Game Studios, id Software, ZeniMax Online Studios, Arkane, MachineGames, Tango Gameworks, Alpha Dog, and Roundhouse Studios – and their passionate global communities to the Xbox family,” head of Xbox, Phil Spencer said in a statement.

“Now that everything is official, we can begin working together to deliver more great games to everyone.”

Spencer claimed that Bethesda would continue making games “the way it always has” and confirmed that some games would release on non-Xbox platforms.

“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,” he said.

“As we shared previously, it’s vitally important that Bethesda continues making games the way it always has. We look forward to empowering Bethesda’s creative teams to reach even more players around the world, helping make future Bethesda titles the biggest and most popular games in their history.

“Xbox and Bethesda have long shared a common vision for the future of gaming. Both as fans and as creators, Bethesda understands the potential of Xbox Game Pass.”

Spencer said Bethesda would share more about what’s next for its teams later this year. “In the meantime, to properly celebrate this special moment, we are bringing additional Bethesda games into Xbox Game Pass later this week. Stay tuned for more details!”

Bethesda currently has two PS5 timed exclusives planned in Deathloop and Ghostwire: Tokyo, which Xbox has previously said it will honour, while PS5 owners will also be eager to know if Indiana Jones, Starfield and Elder Scrolls V will come to PlayStation.

According to a GamesBeat report published on Monday, Microsoft will publish a video presentation on Thursday answering questions about its acquisition of Bethesda.

Alongside Xbox’s statement, Bethesda published a video detailing the company’s journey up to the Microsoft sale.

“We celebrate the next chapter with our family at Xbox. Together, we will continue to inspire creativity, and create worlds that you can leave your mark on,” it said.

In a separate statement written by marketing boss Pete Hines, the company echoed Spencer’s comments that it would continue operating as it had previously.

“First, let me say that we’re not making any landmark announcements or changes right now,” Hines wrote. “As we’ve all shared, the expectation is that Bethesda Softworks and our studios will continue as we have in the past, just with more support and resources than we’ve ever had before.

“Obviously, Game Pass has been an important initiative for Xbox, and we’ll be working on putting even more of our games into Game Pass than ever before. Beyond that? Stay tuned, we’re just getting started together.”

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Phil Spencer says Bethesda teams ‘are going to be critical to Xbox’s progress’

“I can’t wait to get [the deal] closed so that we can start working like one company.”

Microsoft’s acquisition of ZeniMax Media will see Xbox Game Studios grow from 15 to 23 development teams.

Employing some 2,300 staff worldwide, Bethesda Softworks studios include Bethesda Game Studios (Fallout, Elder Scrolls), id Software (Doom), ZeniMax Online Studios (Elder Scrolls Online), Arkane (Dishonored, Prey), MachineGames (Wolfenstein), Tango Gameworks (The Evil Within), Alpha Dog, and Roundhouse Studios.

Head of Xbox Phil Spencer recently said he believes that Bethesda’s development teams will be “very, very critical” to the future of the Xbox platform.