Microsoft gets approval to acquire Zenimax Media ( and Bethesda )

[Vayra86]

I dunno if this is good or bad, They are gobbling up a lot of big studios. Hopefully they don’t “EA” them...

It will be good when they stay true to the IP and sack Todd Howard first thing in the morning.

So far studios under MS produce better stuff than they do under EA.

 

[delshay]

Not happy about this. ..It will take out a number of "Vulkan" games. Microsoft will move all new games to DX12.

 

[Hachi_Roku256563]

Not happy about this. ..It will take out a number of "Vulkan" games. Microsoft will move all new games to DX12.

And dx12 is better the Vulkan also that's idtech not Microsoft or Bethesda Bethesda got idtech and they still only use DX

 

[INSTG8R]

Not happy about this. ..It will take out a number of "Vulkan" games. Microsoft will move all new games to DX12.

Good catch! I hope they allow Devs a choice. I mean of course XBox will always be DX but for PC Devs shouldn’t be forced to use an API I mean RDR2 runs much better on Vulkan than DX12, NMS moving to Vulkan improved it immensely. IdTech make some of most well regarded games for visuals and performance, Vulkan!

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

I'm not typing out a novel to explain that. If you think Microsoft is better now than they were back in 2007, I can't help you on that. I'm just going to disagree and offer Windows 7 as an example of comparison to now. (Yes I know 7 wasn't released until 2009, but the development for it started in 2007 after Microsoft learned from the mistakes of Vista)

I loved vista ( U64! ) TBH, it does not matter to me if they go with DX or Vulkan, as long as a game plays good without issues ( other than game development ones ).

 

[delshay]

Good catch! I hope they allow Devs a choice. I mean of course XBox will always be DX but for PC Devs shouldn’t be forced to use an API I mean RDR2 runs much better on Vulkan than DX12, NMS moving to Vulkan improved it immensely. IdTech make some of most well regarded games for visuals and performance, Vulkan!

Yeah, but you forgot one other thing. What is going to happen to your Bethesda account.

Let me be Microsoft for a few mins. I'm going to move you're Bethesda account to the Microsoft store, or force you to move if you want access all your games that was registered on Bethesda Website..

Hope your happy now.

 

[INSTG8R]

Yeah, but you forgot one other thing. What is going to happen to your Bethesda account.

Let me be Microsoft for a few mins. I'm going to move you're Bethesda account to the Microsoft store, or force you to move if you want access all your games that was registered on Bethesda Website..

Hope your happy now.

Hmm fair point I have a few game on their launcher. I already moved my 76 to Steam because their launcher is pretty terrible, regardless that’s a good point I need to download the launcher and see what else besides RAGE 2 I have on there. But I mean it wouldn’t be the first time I migrated, Destiny 2 springs to mind.

 

[lexluthermiester]

And dx12 is better the Vulkan

Opinion not supported by objective merit.

If Zenimax was wise, they would back out of this deal... So it's likely going through to completion...

 

[Frick]

I'm not typing out a novel to explain that. If you think Microsoft is better now than they were back in 2007, I can't help you on that. I'm just going to disagree and offer Windows 7 as an example of comparison to now. (Yes I know 7 wasn't released until 2009, but the development for it started in 2007 after Microsoft learned from the mistakes of Vista)

So no good reasons then.

 

[bug]

Good catch! I hope they allow Devs a choice. I mean of course XBox will always be DX but for PC Devs shouldn’t be forced to use an API I mean RDR2 runs much better on Vulkan than DX12, NMS moving to Vulkan improved it immensely. IdTech make some of most well regarded games for visuals and performance, Vulkan!

Of course they'll offer a choice, this isn't the old Microsoft we all loved to hate.

P.S. "DX or the door" is a choice, right?

 

[Vayra86]

Yeah, but you forgot one other thing. What is going to happen to your Bethesda account.

Let me be Microsoft for a few mins. I'm going to move you're Bethesda account to the Microsoft store, or force you to move if you want access all your games that was registered on Bethesda Website..

Hope your happy now.

As far as I know, unless they let you agree with a new TOS and contract, (a new sale), they can't just change how your data is managed and/or what licenses are allocated to you.

The moment you paid for your product was the moment that deal was signed and MS is going to have to honor it. So what can you expect? A big fat update you just don't want to miss, and poof... But even that creates an unhappy flow where part of the playerbase is registered and using an MS Store and another half is slowly migrating to it.

Nah... what I really think is that Bethesda's front end will just get ported over and maintained with a long-term strategy behind it to slowly migrate on a per-game basis. That way nobody gets hurt.

Wouldn't worry much about it.

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

As far as I know, unless they let you agree with a new TOS and contract, (a new sale), they can't just change how your data is managed and/or what licenses are allocated to you.

The moment you paid for your product was the moment that deal was signed and MS is going to have to honor it. So what can you expect? A big fat update you just don't want to miss, and poof... But even that creates an unhappy flow where part of the playerbase is registered and using an MS Store and another half is slowly migrating to it.

Nah... what I really think is that Bethesda's front end will just get ported over and maintained with a long-term strategy behind it to slowly migrate on a per-game basis. That way nobody gets hurt.

Wouldn't worry much about it.

I believe they have to make you agree to a new EULA (which usually includes the TOS and privacy policy ) for you to continue to use whatever it is you bought.

 

[jboydgolfer]

Its like dating a hot single mom, & having to put up with her jerk kid.

"we'll sell you Zenimax......but as part of the deal you HAVE to take bethesda too"

 

[bug]

Its like dating a hot single mom, & having to put up with her jerk kid.

So... what's the catch?

 

[r9]

Been using Game Pass on and off since it was available, lots of games including AAA titles on release, never had an issue with any game I've installed. I own FH4 and FH3 standalone both run fine and integrate into the Xbox App but don't require it.

all other games are fine it's only the damn Microsoft games that don't go past initial screen.

 

[INSTG8R]

all other games are fine it's only the damn Microsoft games that don't go past initial screen.

Definitely something off somewhere on your end. I mean UWP can be "fussy" but "all games" something is missing or broken, I've played at least a dozen different games since Game Pass not had any issues with any of them. I Beta test AMD drivers so I install/uninstall games like changing socks just to test/repro things if needed.

 

[Vayra86]

I believe they have to make you agree to a new EULA (which usually includes the TOS and privacy policy ) for you to continue to use whatever it is you bought.

EULA is not a contract you can get out of, so its value is null and void in cases where the customer has lost value on his purchase, or acquired rights.

Basically what terms of service and eulas do is tell you how to behave. They are not contracts as in a mutual agreement. You have no say in the matter.

 

[lexluthermiester]

So no good reasons then.

Keep telling yourself that.

 

[dirtyferret]

I havent followed this since it broke, so no idea what m$ intends. Did they buy this solely for Xbox?

Probably to keep the IPs out of Sony's hands more than anything. I don't believe it will necessarily change much for PC gamers but I could be wrong. Hopefully it allows larger budgets into future products when needed.

However, Microsoft buying EA could only improve both companies, ironically...

I don't think you give EA enough credit, name me one game publisher that has such a track record of running good game developer studios into the ground. Maxis, Westwood, Visceral, Mythic, Phenomic, Origin, Dream works, Bullfrog; all gone. Bioware? A total shell of its former self. It takes great skill to be that greedy and incompetent.

 

[lexluthermiester]

I don't think you give EA enough credit, name me one game publisher that has such a track record of running good game developer studios into the ground. Maxis, Westwood, Visceral, Mythic, Phenomic, Origin, Dream works, Bullfrog; all gone. Bioware? A total shell of it's former self. It takes great skill to that greedy and incompetent.

All excellent points!

 

[dirtyferret]

Wouldnt it be something if Zenimax suddenly backed out?

Deal is done, announced by MS this morning

Officially Welcoming Bethesda to Team Xbox - Xbox Wire

Publisher of iconic gaming franchises will expand Xbox’s diverse portfolio on Xbox Game Pass This is an exciting day for Xbox. Today we officially complete the acquisition of ZeniMax Media, parent company of Bethesda Softworks. It’s an honor to welcome the eight incredibly talented development...

news.xbox.com

I underlined some interesting bits in their message

This is an exciting day for Xbox. Today we officially complete the acquisition of ZeniMax Media, parent company of Bethesda Softworks. It’s an honor to welcome the eight incredibly talented development studios – Bethesda Game Studios, id Software, ZeniMax Online Studios, Arkane, MachineGames, Tango Gameworks, Alpha Dog, and Roundhouse Studios – and their passionate global communities to the Xbox family. Now that everything is official, we can begin working together to deliver more great games to everyone. At every step building toward this moment, I’ve been inspired and motivated by the creativity, insight, and community-first approach of the talented people at Bethesda. Our goal is to give these teams the best foundation for doing their greatest work and to learn from them as we continue to build Xbox into an inclusive platform for all players.


This is the next step in building an industry-leading first party studios team, a commitment we have to our Xbox community. With the addition of the Bethesda creative teams, gamers should know that Xbox consoles, PC, and Game Pass will be the best place to experience new Bethesda games, including some new titles in the future that will be exclusive to Xbox and PC players.


As we shared previously, it’s vitally important that Bethesda continues making games the way it always has. We look forward to empowering Bethesda’s creative teams to reach even more players around the world, helping make future Bethesda titles the biggest and most popular games in their history. Xbox and Bethesda have long shared a common vision for the future of gaming. Both as fans and as creators, Bethesda understands the potential of Xbox Game Pass.


We would also like to honor the life and memory of my close friend Robert A. Altman, founder of ZeniMax Media. Robert believed deeply in the power of gaming and we are privileged to be able to continue his work by joining forces with the teams he built and led for many years. I will miss the opportunity to work directly with him on the future of our combined teams but I know that his spirit will live on in the shared work we do and motivate us to make this partnership all he envisioned.


Thank you to all our players for joining us on this incredible journey and to the millions of Bethesda fans around the world. Now that we’re one team, we can start working together on the future ahead. We will have more to share about what’s next for our teams later this year. In the meantime, to properly celebrate this special moment, we are bringing additional Bethesda games into Xbox Game Pass later this week. Stay tuned for more details!

 

[lexluthermiester]

Deal is done, announced by MS this morning

 

[Frick]

Keep telling yourself that.

I will since you can't even be bothered to post anything other than nonsense.


Also, I really want the next Elder Scrolls to be a console exclusive, or VR exclusive. That would be delicious.

 

[Hachi_Roku256563]

I will since you can't even be bothered to post anything other than nonsense.


Also, I really want the next Elder Scrolls to be a console exclusive, or VR exclusive. That would be delicious.

Well hate to tell you Microsoft don't do console exclusive they do games exclusive to their platforms the Xbox and PC the only one gonna get left out here is PlayStation

 

[lexluthermiester]

I will since you can't even be bothered to post anything other than nonsense.


Also, I really want the next Elder Scrolls to be a console exclusive, or VR exclusive. That would be delicious.

You asked a question that is A, easy for anyone to understand if you've been paying attention for the last 15 years and B, would require a lengthy explanation in absence of that understanding. Since you seem to lack the former and I don't feel like writing a dissertation on the subject, I have elected to dismiss your objection and ignore your ignorance, after all, ignorance can be bliss...

Also, I really want the next Elder Scrolls to be a console exclusive, or VR exclusive. That would be delicious.

No, that would be a especially stupid choice on the part of the devs, given how similar current gen consoles are to PC's..

the only one gonna get left out here is PlayStation

And Nintendo..