Microsoft recently just purchased Bethesda in a shocking move for 7.5 billion cash. Below are two podcasts I listened to get some industry thoughts on the purchase:
https://www.ign.com/articles/xbox-buying-bethesda-is-a-megaton-unlocked-462
This purchase is exciting for anyone in the Microsoft ecosystem because now all the Bethesda games will be added to game pass. An incredible deal has just doubled in value.
Microsoft’s biggest issue has been first-party games the last generation; this instantly changes that with the new Starfield game and Elder Scrolls. It remains to be seen if it will be exclusive to PC and Xbox. There is a quote from Phil Spencer saying exclusivity will be a “case by case” basis. As the news has gone on, it appears there is a high likely hood it won’t be exclusive based on comments from Pete Hines, Todd Howard, and Phil Spencer.
There are two arguments for going exclusive and vice versus. Going exclusive means you automatically get people into your ecosystem, whether PC or Xbox, when they want to play the new Starfield or Elder Scrolls. This could help get consumers that otherwise wouldn’t of experience gamepass first hand, and once they have it, lock them in like the Netflix model. We have shown in today’s market; people are comfortable with subscriptions.
Releasing the properties on the Sony platform makes sense as well. You will still get a publisher cut of each copy sold. It will also help you from a brand standpoint because you are the “good guy.”
My speculation is Bethesda may have been willing to sell due to being cash poor. The last couple releases seem not to be a massive hit like prior games. For example, Fallout 76 poorly received upon launch, Prey had some game-breaking glitches, rage two undersold. This could have made Bethesda more willing to sell, giving them more cash behind them on their next venture.
This is an exciting timing for gaming. This purchase and the other studio purchases mean Xbox is committed to the brand and gaming. Having Microsoft back Bethesda implies that they will be able to experiment more, especially with game pass. Microsoft has been aggressively increasing its first-party studios, further growing the competition in the industry. In the end, this helps get gamers better games.
https://www.ign.com/articles/the-5-biggest-takeaways-from-xboxs-bethesda-acquisition