Microsoft purchases Zenimax Media

[Dark Drakan]

This came out of nowhere right before the Xbox Series X/S go up for preorder but Microsoft have just acquired Zenimax Media, the parent company of Bethesda, id Software, Arkane Studios, MachineGames, Tango Gameworks and many more, for $7.5bn.

They have also announced that all future titles from these studios will come to Game Pass for Xbox & PC on Day 1 of release which has just added some amazing value to the service straight out of the gate. These include franchises like The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Wolfenstein, Doom, Dishonored, Prey, Quake, The Evil Within, Starfield and many more.

SOURCE​

 

[Quistrix]

This will definitely come as a huge blow for PlayStation players. Makes the choice on which console to buy a lot easier and I was already strongly considering an Xbox.

 

[Angel]

I just hate that Microsoft have sunk their claws into Bethesda...

 

[Quistrix]

I just hate that Microsoft have sunk their claws into Bethesda...

I wasn’t even shocked when I read the news. Allegedly MS could give everyone an Xbox Series X to everyone for free and still be in business. I’m not sure how true that is but considering that Bill Gates gets 2% from them and he’s worth $116bn I’d wager a guess that it’s totally true.

 

[Gikoku]

*SNIIIIIFFFFF* MMNAAAHHHH SMELL THAT MONEY! Seriously though, bloody hell. Waking up to this was the last thing I would've expected in a hundred years. Partnership sure, but not an outright buyout. People go on about Disney & Apple having scary wallets, but Microsoft isn't any different.

Well, as a PC guy this doesn't change anything with those IPs for me, but this is going to suck for PS players. Game Pass is nice, but I'm more worried about the long run. Xbox is nice today, but Phil Spencer won't be around forever, and management changes all the time. What happens in 10 years if Phil steps down and we get a Don Mattrick 2.0? And all these aquisitions will be under their thumb? Ugh.

 

[Quistrix]

Jesus Scotty... you make Don Mattrick sound like this guy.

 

[Gikoku]

Jesus Scotty... you make Don Mattrick sound like this guy.

Well I mean if the shoe fits.

 

[Angel]

Seriously though, bloody hell.

'Muricans saying English swears...

 

[Quistrix]

'Muricans saying English swears...

That’s not even the worst of it. Just wait until you hear him try to do a cockney accent. It sounds like an American trying to do an impression of an Australian doing an impression of a cockney.

 

[Dark Drakan]

Microsoft and Bethesda have worked closely for many years so cant see much changing in the general running of the company. However having all of those titles on Game Pass is a huge statement and also did have a little laugh to myself about Bethesda and Obsidian now being under the same brand ownership.

 

[Quistrix]

I have this image in my head of Todd Howard and Tim Cain having glass offices directly opposite one another and every so often they make awkward eye contact with one another.

 

[Dark Drakan]

5 big questions about Microsoft's acquisition of Bethesda

SOURCE - PC Gamer​

 

[Angel]

Subscription based services make me rage...I know we use them with things like Netflix and Prime etc but the whole "oh, you were almost at the end of that one? Lemme remove it forever from the library without warning" aspect is what bothers me the most and Game Pass is no exception. In my view, the way Steam does things is far better - I get the value of Game Pass if you're someone who plays a huge variety of titles and doesn't want to fork out for each and every one on the off-chance that you won't hate them and lose money...but as someone who doesn't play a lot of titles and neither do my kids, it's a lot of money to hurl at Mr. Megabucks each month. The fact that on PC games like Roblox and Fortnite can be played online with others at no extra cost is a win for parents like me. Long-suffering parents like me, I might add - Roblox is a car-crash of mediocrity and vomit-inducing graphics. When Jake gets his Xbox, we will have to pay extra just so he can play free games with his friends; this to me is not acceptable. And I know we've had Gold forever which is what lets you play online and all, but in this day and age it almost seems archaic to charge for it.

I also won't ever believe a word of anything Microsoft says about leaving studios to just do what they do, if they indeed ever make such statements in the future. They mostly ruined Rare and they outright killed Lionhead. I don't care if there were losses of profits, those two studios were better when they were left the hell alone. Won't forgive them for that.

Having said all that, IF collaborations can be made and Microsoft remain a silent, fabulously wealthy benefactor then hopefully we can see some epic titles coming out in the not so distant future. I do like the idea that Bethesda titles will be on Game Pass on day of release but Elder Scrolls 6 will be a physical copy buy for me regardless because unless Microsoft do something unbelievably hideous, that game will be my instant GOTY no matter what.

 

[Dark Drakan]

Subscription based services make me rage...I know we use them with things like Netflix and Prime etc but the whole "oh, you were almost at the end of that one? Lemme remove it forever from the library without warning" aspect is what bothers me the most and Game Pass is no exception.

They do release a list of the games that come and go from Game Pass each month & you get a notification that a game is leaving and you get a discount to purchase them if you want to keep playing them (around 20% off for games that are leaving and 10% discount at any point).

Also its the publishers/developers who decide how long they stay on Game Pass and any Microsoft titles are likely to be permanently available on it. I have been burned and missed some games I would have liked to play on Game Pass (Metro Exodus/Dishonored 2) but hopefully over time some games remain on there for longer as they strike deals with more developers. GTA 5 was only on there 4 months and Red Dead Redemption 2 isnt on PC game pass but it is on console.

The way I see it is that if I play more than 3 games a year on it im getting moneys worth as with price hike its £7.99 a month (£95.88 a year) I had been paying £3.99 a month which is crazy value. As the price of games keeps going up (PS5 games are now around £70) thats pretty much the price of a game and its DLC these days.

we will have to pay extra just so he can play free games with his friends; this to me is not acceptable. And I know we've had Gold forever which is what lets you play online and all, but in this day and age it almost seems archaic to charge for it.

I cancelled my Xbox Live Gold when the price increase came in would be better value to get Game Pass Ultimate instead but I never play online on my console so opted for the cheaper Game Pass on PC.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: Everything you need to know​