The European Commission has approved Microsoft’s acquisition of ZeniMax Media Inc., a gaming company. This deal will give Microsoft access to the developer of popular games like Fallout, Elder Scrolls, and Doom. However, there are some concerns about the deal. There is a good chance that Microsoft will try to find a better way to deal with its existing intellectual property. This is why keeping an eye on how the deal will affect Sony’s Zenimax franchises is important.
Xbox’s first-party games studios
Microsoft’s recent acquisition of a number of games studios has only added to the impressive lineup. The company has a roster of first-party studios covering nearly every genre, style, and niche in gaming. The Xbox platform could have as many as thirty first-party studios in the future. Microsoft should be able to let its game studios do what they do best, allowing them to produce top-quality games for their platforms.
The Xbox Game Studios division includes the first-party game development team and the publishing branch. Xbox Game Studios publishes all first-party titles and games developed by third-party developers. The Xbox Game Studios’ portfolio includes Tell Me Why, Microsoft Flight Simulator, and Ori and the Will of the Wisps. Microsoft bought several games studios in the process of creating the Xbox. In addition to producing games for Xbox, it has also published games for PC, Mac, and mobile devices.
Despite a busy summer, Microsoft’s Xbox Game Studios haven’t released many first-party exclusives. However, the upcoming E3 2021 games lineup looks exciting and diverse. With so many games coming out, Xbox fans should look forward to seeing updates from the studios on upcoming titles and studios. In the meantime, fans should wait for Xbox’s summer games showcase. With all the upcoming games, it’s safe to say that the Xbox will be a hit among gamers.
Another major studio is Rare. The studio is based in Saint-Henri, Canada. The studio became famous for making the bizarre trailers for We Happy Few, and its recent acquisition by Microsoft has helped the studio reach new heights. Rare recently announced the development of a new RPG called Everwild for the Xbox One and PC. Despite its small size, the studio has created several popular games for the Xbox platform.
Apart from The Outer Worlds, Obsidian is developing several projects. The studio has also released an early-access survival game called Grounded and announced that it would release the next story, DLC, in 2021. In addition, obsidian has also announced that it’s working on a new game, Avowed, based in the Pillars of Eternity universe.
Popular franchises
Microsoft recently announced the acquisition of video game developer ZeniMax, a company that owns popular franchises. Some of its most successful titles include The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, which has sold over 30 million copies since its release in 2011. Fallout 4, the latest installment in the popular post-apocalyptic role-playing game series, also belongs to Zenimax’s portfolio.
The acquisition also includes the acquisition of gaming companies Bethesda Softworks, Arkane Studios, and id Software, which make the popular Wolfenstein series and the Elder Scrolls series. In addition, Microsoft will also acquire ZeniMax’s gaming division, ZeniMax Studios. The two companies plan to create exclusive franchises for Xbox One and Windows 8.
Other popular franchises for Microsoft Zenimax include Gears of War and Diablo. These games were originally developed by Epic Games and later renamed The Coalition, which has been the big-name IP anchor of the Xbox Game Pass since 2017. Gears of War is the first Xbox exclusive and the third installment in the series. In 2020, the Gears of War franchise will move to Microsoft, as Rod Fergusson left Blizzard to work on Diablo 4. The former founder of the franchise is now a Microsoft employee.
Among the other popular franchises for Microsoft Zenimax are The Elder Scrolls and the Witcher. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is one of the best-selling video games of the decade. There is also a chance that Zenimax and Bethesda will develop new games for Xbox. In addition to The Elder Scrolls, Microsoft will likely release new games in the Fallout and DOOM franchises, making Game Pass even more desirable.
Potential Xbox exclusives
Microsoft recently purchased the in-house development studio Zenimax for $7.5 billion cash, which is more than the price it paid for Marvel and Star Wars. Zenimax’s properties are highly recognizable and lucrative among the biggest gaming franchises, and their success has prompted many people to switch to Microsoft products. But it’s not just Zenimax that is a big deal for Microsoft.
Microsoft has acquired other potential Xbox exclusives recently, including the Elder Scrolls series and the Fallout franchise. Fans of those franchises have enjoyed PlayStation and Sony exclusives for years, but ZeniMax may bring those titles to Xbox users. Xbox Game Pass subscribers might also see new Fallout and DOOM games in the future. In addition, the Xbox Game Pass library is getting much bigger. However, Xbox owners will have to wait and see how these new titles will play in the console’s ecosystem.
While the studios of Zenimax don’t typically develop Xbox exclusives, they’re expected to make them for Xbox. Moreover, Microsoft expects the Zenimax acquisition to be completed by the second half of 2021 when games like Ghostwire: Tokyo and Deathloop are due to be released. Microsoft is also planning to release games such as Halo and Overwatch, which are already locked into a partnership with Sony.
With Zenimax and Bethesda being owned by Microsoft, potential Xbox exclusives are another topic of speculation. The Xbox maker could decide to keep the games for its portfolio, or it might leave them to flourish as multiplatform titles. Before the acquisition, neither company shared much information about its plans. Nonetheless, the company did buy Zenimax Game Studios, and it has been rumored since then that Zenimax and Microsoft will develop and publish the games on their console.
While Microsoft has announced that the studios owned by Bethesda will continue to create games, Phil Spencer has assured fans that the studios will continue to work on new projects. He also reassured fans that the team at ZeniMax Media will continue to work on Xbox exclusives. As a result, ZeniMax’s studio will be given more resources to develop games. However, one game, in particular, may still be exclusive to PS5 so the Xbox version will retain its exclusivity.
Impact on Sony’s Zenimax franchises
Microsoft’s acquisition of Zenimax Media is a significant development. Besides acquiring several game studios, acquiring Zenimax will give Microsoft a stronger presence in the gaming industry. Microsoft’s strong technical capabilities and development resources will help ZeniMax grow and execute its strategic priorities. It will help ZeniMax focus on its strengths: creating quality games and developing unique experiences. In addition, Microsoft will continue to provide Xbox with exclusive content.
While Microsoft’s acquisition of Zenimax Media has increased competition in the game console market, Sony has been in a position of strength for years. The company is home to many top-selling franchises such as Uncharted and God of War. In addition, it owns several smaller studios, including Bethesda, MachineGames, and Tango Gameworks. Its recent acquisitions of Zenimax and Bethesda have increased the likelihood of new game launches on PlayStation.
The move makes sense for both companies. While Zenimax games are supposed to be exclusive to PS5, Sony’s new PlayStation 5 will likely receive a larger audience. As a result, Xbox users will benefit from exclusive titles, while Zenimax fans will be able to enjoy more mainstream games on Xbox. Ultimately, the acquisition will help Microsoft drive its consumer revenue growth. Microsoft is also preparing to launch its next-generation console, the Xbox One, on Nov. 10. While analysts believe Sony will continue to dominate the next-generation console market, Microsoft is investing heavily in new game development studios to compete with Sony.
Despite the acquisition, Microsoft has substantially expanded its gaming division. It is acquiring ZeniMax Media to boost Xbox sales and boost its popular Xbox Game Pass subscription service. Although this transaction is a risk, it could benefit the gaming industry. It will also allow Microsoft to integrate its studios and thus increase its gross margins vertically. For those of you who have been following the gaming industry closely, this acquisition may be good news for you.
