Microsoft Moves One Step Closer to Acquiring Bethesda

But it will cost them $US7.5 billion.

Despite the hype in September last year, you may not have realised that Microsoft’s purchase of Bethesda is not a done deal yet.

However, it took one step closer last week.

The computer giant's purchase of the gaming company was officially approved last Friday by The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Although, it's important to note that the deal isn’t across the line yet. The purchase will need to receive the tick of approval from the European Commission, as well as other regions and countries. Nonetheless, getting the SEC’s approval is the most significant step for US based companies.

Now, if you’re in the market for purchasing a video gaming company and wondering how much you’ll need in cash, don’t expect to see much change out of $US8 billion.

According to documents published by SEC, Microsoft is shelling out $US7.5 billion on the purchase. That makes this deal the second biggest gaming buyout in history, following closely behind Tencent’s $US8.6 billion purchase of developer’s Supercell, the guys who make Clash of Clans.

Microsoft buys Zenimax media - Bethesda games (elder scrolls/fallout) for billions. More than what Disney paid for Lucas Arts / Film https://t.co/a2TkBITQeS

— CarlosNilmmns (Ross McMillan) (@carlosnilmmns) March 5, 2021

To be fair, that $US7.5 billion is not just for Bethesda. The deal is for their parent company, ZeniMax Media, and will also include Arkane Studios, Machine Games and other developers.

Consider it like when gamers buy a gaming bundle, except replace gamers with billion-dollar company, and bundle with developers.

It remains unclear if Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethsesda will mean that future releases will be Xbox exclusive, with the computer giant staying tight lipped on the question.

If they do choose to go exclusive, gamers can expect their favourite series’ like The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Wolfenstein, and Doom to cease being developed for Sony PlayStation. That’s a tough pill to swallow for PlayStation players like myself.

Microsoft’s shopping spree won’t end here, with BWW Media Group editor Brad Sams reporting in a video that the company are planning another Bethesda-level purchase this coming year.

I don't know who this guy is, but I've been hearing the same thing for months, that Microsoft wants to acquire another publisher, negotiations with bethesda lasted 3 years, as I've been pointing out, I believe the announcement will be at the end of 2021 or the beginning of 2022

— 👑 King Ragnar (@XboxRagnar) January 28, 2021

It’s well known that Sony have far more PlayStation exclusives than Xbox. This move shows clear intention by Microsoft, finally flexing their financial muscles to make amends.

Your move, Sony.

(Update 09/03/2021) Microsoft’s purchase of Bethesda and ZeniMax Media has now been approved by the European Commision, citing that the purchase doesn’t raise any concerns.