Next Month, It’ll Be Four Years Since Xbox Acquired Bethesda

Where does the time go?!

by Ben Kerry Yesterday, 5:30pm

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.

Ben is a News Writer at Pure Xbox, and is a fan of action, racing and straight-up shootin’ in any Xbox game he can get his hands on. When he’s not clutching an Xbox controller like his life depends on it, Ben spends his time listening to music that’s far too old for him, watching football on the telly and probably eating somewhere.

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