Microsoft Aquires ZeniMax Media and Bethesda

Microsoft is making big moves in the video game industry this Monday, as they have announced that they have, as of today, acquired ZeniMax Media which owns Bethesda and id Software, two giants in the gaming industry.

The company paid $7.5 billion dollars in cash to make the purchase, which honestly seems like a sound investment, considering that it moves Microsoft’s in-house development studios from 15 up to 23 and has them now owning some of the biggest game franchises in the industry.

While this isn’t exactly Nintendo news it’s a big deal because of how well Microsoft has worked with Nintendo in recent times and means that many of the games that they have acquired through this purchase could end up getting Switch ports at some point. The most current example being Ori and the Will of the Wisps, which just launched on the Switch last week.

The franchises that Microsoft can port to Switch is now even more massive, and I would fully expect remasters and re-releases to come down the pipeline eventually to the hybrid console as well.

Regardless of how Microsoft decides to use these new franchises, it seems that gamers will win as the company has been hitting it out of the park lately when it comes to managing their games, and Switch owners will win as well. I’m sure of it.

Thank you for stopping by Nintendo Link for all of your news and future possibilities. What do you think of this acquisition by Microsoft? Will this continue to strengthen their relationship with Nintendo? Or will this start to turn things around and see Microsoft begin a strong push on their own two legs again? Let us know what you think in the comments below!