Exclusive Games Promised as Microsoft Completes the Acquisition of Bethesda

Microsoft has officially acquired ZeniMax Media, the holding company in ownership of Bethesda Softworks, Bethesda Game Studios, id Software, ZeniMax Online Studios, Arkane, MachineGames, Tango Gameworks, Alpha Dog and Roundhouse Studios.

Phil Spencer, Head of Xbox, made the announcement today on the Xbox Wire Blog, where he confirmed that a number of the various studios' titles will be Xbox and PC exclusive. Furthermore, he revealed that games from Bethesda's catalogue will be joining Game Pass later this week.

The finalisation of this colossal $7.5 million deal comes following news of both the SEC and the EU's independent approval, in which it was deemed that the merger would not put the games industry at risk of monopolisation.

Spencer, in the post, paid respect to the late Robert A. Altman, founder of ZeniMax Media. He said: "I will miss the opportunity to work directly with him on the future of our combined teams but I know that his spirit will live on in the shared work we do and motivate us to make this partnership all he envisioned."

It is rumoured that further details about this acquisition and the future of Bethesda will be outlined in an event later this week.