Overnight news broke that Microsoft was purchasing Zenimax Media, parent company of Bethesda, for a cool $7.5 billion USD. Easily one of the biggest deals in gaming history, and with Bethesda Game Studios, id Software, Arkane, and more now a part of Xbox Game Studios many are wondering what this means for the future of Xbox. And Bethesda.

In terms of Xbox the potential is massive. Xbox Game Pass alone will be getting the entire Bethesda catalogue. Not to mention potential Xbox Series X and S exclusivity alongside PC releases and cloud gaming. Translation, no PS5. Maybe.

In his response, Bethesda's global head of marketing pointed to the shared history between Microsoft and Bethesda, and how this new partnership is "a perfect fit". One of those reasons being, business as usual for its studios.



"The key point is we’re still Bethesda," Pete writes. "We’re still working on the same games we were yesterday, made by the same studios we’ve worked with for years, and those games will be published by us."

An interesting note, especially when you consider the fact that it wasn't that long ago that Arkane's Deathloop and Tango Gameworks' Ghostwire: Tokyo were both showcased as timed-exclusive releases for the PlayStation 5. As per above, odds are that deal will remain in place ala Obsidian releasing The Outer Worlds on multiple platforms.

"So why the change?" Pete continues. "Because it allows us to make even better games going forward. Microsoft is an incredible partner and offers access to resources that will make us a better publisher and developer. We believe that means better games for you to play. Simply put - we believe that change is an important part of getting better. We believe in pushing ourselves to be better. To innovate. To grow."

He makes special note to advise that Bethesda will remain Bethesada in terms of growing its stable of titles, "We’re going to continue doing what we know and love: making great games. We’re going to keep trying new things. We’re going to take the same passion we’ve poured into what we do, and the passion that our community brings to the things we make, and do even better."



Additionally, industry legend Todd Howard also released a statement, citing his affinity to the Xbox platform, and bringing Morrowind to consoles as a milestone in his career.

"I was dubious Xbox Morrowind would be worth the time, somewhat on a technical level, but more so from taking a hardcore RPG and moving it from a PC desktop experience to a controller-and-sofa experience," Todd writes. "If we made it work, would people want it? Microsoft and their new Xbox crew had a view, that I came to share completely. Shouldn’t we allow anyone to have this experience? Why does it matter where the screen is or what the controller is? There are many people without the same access, and we can bring it to them."

"With each new console cycle, we evolved together," Todd adds. "From bringing mods to consoles with Fallout 4, now over a billion downloads, to the latest technologies fueling Xbox Series X|S. These new systems are optimized for the vast worlds we love to create, with generational leaps not just in graphics, but CPU and data streaming as well. It’s led to our largest engine overhaul since Oblivion, with all new technologies powering our first new IP in 25 years, Starfield, as well as The Elder Scrolls VI."

On that note he's quick to point out, like Microsoft has, that his philosophy of reaching a wider audience is in line with this partnership. In addition to launch day Xbox Game Pass arrivals for both Starfield and The Elder Scrolls VI both titles will also appear on PC and support game streaming via the cloud.

The big question though is -- will PlayStation slowly fade out of the picture when it comes to Bethesda? In a response to Bloomberg, Microsoft has stated that it will approach each title on a case-by-case basis. With Ori and Cuphead coming to the Nintendo Switch, Xbox is definitely more than a single platform.

And speaking of legends, even id Software founder John Carmack chimed in. After being sued by Zenimax over his departure to join Oculus, the Doom co-creator notes that he sees Microsoft as far more friendly. So much so that he wouldn't mind working on one of his classic franchises.

Great! I think Microsoft has been a good parent company for gaming IPs, and they don’t have a grudge against me, so maybe I will be able to re engage with some of my old titles. https://t.co/GijQGEL4tZ

— John Carmack (@ID_AA_Carmack) September 21, 2020