What a stunner! Microsoft buys ZeniMax Media, the company that owns the video game publisher Bethesda, which is known for titles like Elder Scrolls Online, Fallout and DOOM for sweet 7.5 billion Dollars!

"More than three billion people on the planet play games for fun, escape, and human connection. Unlike any other medium, games empower people to engage in creativity, strategic thinking and teamwork, immersing them into interactive stories and worlds created by some of the world’s most amazing creators. The cultural phenomenon of gaming has made it the largest and fastest-growing form of entertainment in the world—an industry that is expected to be more than $200 billion in annual revenue in 2021.

As the gaming industry transforms from a device-centric era to a player-centric era powered by new technology that provides the freedom to play with friends anywhere on any device, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) on Monday announced plans to acquire ZeniMax Media, the parent company of Bethesda Softworks, one of the largest, privately held game developers and publishers in the world. Creators of critically acclaimed and best-selling gaming franchises including The Elder Scrolls and Fallout among many others, Bethesda brings an impressive portfolio of games, technology, talent, as well as a track record of blockbuster commercial success, to Xbox.

Under the terms of the agreement, Microsoft will acquire ZeniMax Media for $7.5 billion in cash."

Read the complete official statement HERE

But most important, what does that mean for us #gamers ?!
First, it's a big deal for all XBox players. I think it's safe to asume that Microsofts Game Pass will include more Bethesda titles.
Second, upcomming titles like "Elder Scrolls 6" and "Starfall" MIGHT be XBox exclusive, which probably kinda sucks for those who plan to buy the next Playstation.
Third, Microsofts plans to have more power in the gaming market are not new but yet not really existing (besides MS Flight Simulator 2020 and the Forza Series) which will definetly change now.

"Our games can only get better"

So far, chairman and CEO of Bethesda, Robert A. Altman, sees huge potential in this aquisition.

“This is a thrilling day for this company, our employees, and our fans. We have enjoyed a close partnership with Microsoft for decades, and this deal is a natural progression of those years working together,” said Altman. “The big winners today are our fans. We are continuing to develop our slate of AAA games, but now with Microsoft’s scale and entire Game Stack, our games can only get better.”
Source

Let's see how things will turn out.
For my part I am surprised - in a positive way - and thinkt that (most) players will actually benefit from it. At least long tearm.

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments!