The operation was closed for 7.5 billion dollars, an amount much higher than what Microsoft paid for Mojang and Minecraft.
Microsoft and ZeniMax Media reached an agreement for the purchase of the company by Xbox. Thus, all Bethesda Softworks studios and intellectual property are already owned by Xbox Game Studios. The North American giant has paid 7.5 billion dollars for the operation, but according to the group of analysts DFC Intelligence, the price has been “surprisingly cheap.”
The report recalls that Bethesda has classic intellectual properties with long-term potential. He also acknowledges that the company has struggled to bounce back from the failed Fallout 76 release. “Taken together, the acquisition shows that even though the Xbox hardware cannot compete with the PlayStation brand in the short term, Microsoft is better equipped to deal with it. long term. Bethesda adds an extensive library of titles for both Game Pass and the streaming game service ”on both Xbox and PC and mobile devices.
Starfield, Bethesda’s new IP.
The value of the Elder Scrolls and Fallout
According to DFC Intelligence, the Fallout and The Elder Scrolls brands alone are worth the purchase “for the price” at which they bought it. It should not be forgotten, however, that Bethesda has numerous studies working on other types of intellectual properties. Id Software has released two games in the DOOM series in recent years, as well as a second installment of RAGE. Meanwhile, Arkane, creators of Dishonored, are about to launch their new intellectual property, Deathloop.
Microsoft, for its part, is strengthening its network of internal studios that will develop video games for Xbox, PC and Xbox Game Pass platforms. However, Phil Spencer, head of the Xbox division, has already advanced that some future Bethesda video games could also be released on other platforms. In any case, it will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. The exclusivity agreement for Ghostwire: Tokyo and Deathloop on PS5 will be honored.
