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The Long-lasting Effect of Microsoft Purchasing Bethesda

Microsoft buying Bethesda was not something any of us expected. Heck, no one even thought Bethesda — as good... | 26. September 2020

Microsoft buying Bethesda was not something any of us expected. Heck, no one even thought Bethesda — as good and as successful as it is — would be up for sale. After all, why sell when business is booming? We knew Microsoft was looking to buy another game studio and incorporate it under its banner, but Bethesda seemed to big of a name to fit the bill.

But after the Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment deal fell through, Microsoft pivoted with great success. This whole thing is endlessly fascinating for a wide variety of reasons. Firstly, it’s one of the biggest acquisitions in video gaming history. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, Microsoft has just stepped up big time when it comes to their first-party output — right in time for the holiday season.

What’s the main reason gamers still buy a PlayStation console over an Xbox, other than sheer brand loyalty? Exclusives. If you want the best and most awe-inspiring single-player games out there, you have to go with Sony. There’s just no other option, really. Microsoft has a few original IPs, but they pale in comparison to Sony’s offerings.

Enter the Bethesda acquisition.

Dishonored, Wolfenstein, The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Doom, Starfield, The Evil Within, Prey, and many other IPs are now Microsoft’s. Let that one sink in. We’re talking about some of the best and most beloved titles and series in the world, all with their own cult followings.

Games Galore

Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass was already an insanely alluring purchase. Now, with Bethesda’s studios being thrown into the mix, it’s an absolute must-have. Microsoft’s strategy is well-known by this point: offer first-party exclusives free of charge for Game Pass subscribers on day one. It’s at once both ingenious and mind-boggling. But even though it seems like a bad idea, it’s actually working and they’ve been raking in profits as a result.

Bethesda’s offerings will now further bolster Xbox Game Pass and therefore make it the absolute best deal in gaming history. This news alone will surely sway many undecided buyers over towards the Microsoft camp. Why wouldn’t they go with Xbox, when they can have so many incredible games for a meager monthly fee? It’s truly the “Netflix for gaming,” and we mean that in the best possible sense.

The battle between the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X has now gotten even fiercer, and Microsoft seems to have edge. Not only will they offer the stronger console (Series X), but they’ll also give potential buyers an incredibly good deal (Series S) for just $299. That’s an absolute steal, given what that small little console will pack underneath the hood. Up to 120 FPS at 1440p, for just three hundred dollars? That’s the deal of a lifetime.

Closing Remarks

With Bethesda’s studios and intellectual properties, Microsoft can go for the “finishing blow” as well: make all of their upcoming games Xbox exclusives. In other words, if you’re a fan of Doom, Wolfenstein, Fallout, or The Elder Scrolls (and who isn’t?), you’ll have to buy an Xbox. Or, alternatively, buy an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription and play on a sufficiently powerful gaming PC. The choice is yours, but PlayStation will no longer be an option, no matter how you slice it.

And sure: Sony will always have its own studios and mouth-watering exclusives, but now Microsoft has some of their own, and they’re more than willing to compete. The age-old Sony vs. Microsoft debate has now gotten even more complicated with this unexpected Bethesda acquisition.

Fortunately, this fierce fight between two giants should favor gamers the most. And the fact that it’s happening now before next-gen consoles hit the market means you’ll have enough time to make up your mind when it comes to the age-old conundrum: PlayStation or Xbox?

Choose wisely.