Over the last few years, we've had plenty to write about regarding Microsoft's complex and drawn out purchase of Activision Blizzard, but, remember when things were much simpler? Back in 2020, when a buyout of ActiBlizz would have been a mere fever dream, Xbox acquired ZeniMax Media; the parent company of Bethesda. Well, it's now almost four years since Team Green announced the deal.
We'd say that this particular purchase has largely been a success since then. Yes, we've had our low moments like Redfall and the recent closures of multiple Bethesda studios, but we've also seen the likes of Starfield, Deathloop, Hi-Fi RUSH and Ghostwire: Tokyo release since Xbox first announced its move to acquire the company. It's also just been a lot less drama-filled than everything that went down with Activision Blizzard, which is a nice bonus.
We've got lots to look forward to from this particular team as well, which bodes well for the future. DOOM: The Dark Ages looks phenomenal, MachineGames is inching ever-closer to its first-party debut with Indiana Jones, and we have Arkane Lyon working on Marvel's Blade. Oh, and that's not to mention Todd Howard's next major project; The Elder Scrolls 6!
Anyway, we just thought we'd take a moment to look back at this, reflect on the deal, and think about what's happened since for Team Xbox. It's hardly been smooth sailing for the platform after this deal went through, but we still think it was a great move by Xbox, and the future of Bethesda remains one of the bright sparks for Microsoft's gaming biz. Let's see where the next four years takes us!
How do we feel about this deal, almost four years later? Drop your thoughts down in the comments section below.
Comments 18
Wow, has it really been that long?!
Also known as, the beginning of the end for Tango Gameworks.
I wouldn't be surprised if the Fallout 4 next-gen update was intended for then after Starfield delayed it. It would explain why it launched so busted and why it wasn't like Skyrim NG getting the bundle with all the creations.
This is what made me buy an Xbox
Just waiting for TES6.
5 games in 4 years. What was their output in the 4 years before the take over?
Another game would be the best place to start for me don't know about anyone else🤷 I know we got starfield but come on it's so bland they need to speed up development time Skyrim came out in 2011 and nothing close on the horizon it's disgraceful!
Bethesda was a great pickup for them. It is probably the studios that I am most excited about.
At that moment it was the "craziest" acquisition in the history of the industry, of course we couldn't imagine what awaited us with Activision.
If at the time when Xbox One was launched they told me that we would see Xbox join Bethesda and Activision, I would not have believed it.
I was so optimistic about the acquisition thinking we'll get more Prey, Dishonored, Evil Within, FNV2 and of course Starfield. Unfortunately with the exception of Starfield everything turned out to be the opposite 😕.
Thankfully we still have something from Machine Games and ID Software..
How has it been 4 years? Seems like just yesterday. We're still waiting fort Starfield to (fully) release. Still waiting for Arka...oh. At least we got Tang.....ohhhh....
@Sol4ris We will have Prey and Dishonored sooner or later, they are very renowned sagas, especially Dishonored. Keep in mind that nowadays games require years of development, assuming that one is in the works, we may not see it announced for 2 or 3 years.
The Evil Within was a saga that had a complicated future commercially, there is not much sales data, but the first was moderately successful, and the second, at its beginning, sold considerably less than the first.
I don't know if we'll see Fallout New Vegas 2, but with the enormous popularity of the series I think we can be sure that we'll see a lot of Fallouts in the future, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Obsidian involved again
@Stocksy 6 games. Let us not forget Mighty Doom 🤣
@Ryu_Niiyama my most anticipated game!
It was my main reason for joining Xbox, I was not going to miss Starfield....... boy it was disappointing...
Still so worth it, Far Cry 2, got to finally play Gears and Halo Infinite was certainly, um no comment.
Looking forward to Indy, and hoping Avowed turns out great. Doom looks okayish
The 4 years flew by because Xbox ignored everything but the crown of their mobile gaming ambitions, ABK, during that time.
Nearly 4yrs since they announced their intention to take over Zenimax although that deal wasn't actually completed until March the following year. So in reality it's only been '3 and half years' at Microsoft.
In that time, though they have released Deathloop, Ghostwire, Hifi Rush, Redfall and Starfield. Machine Games announced Indiana Jones just before the take over and id Software were finishing off and releasing Doom Eternals last DLC so its been an interesting 3.5yrs so far...
I’ve enjoyed most of the games that have released, since Xbox bought ZeniMax, but the highlight for me is still Quake coming to console. I wanted that to happen for a looooooong time and it didn’t disappoint!
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...