Microsoft Bethesda Deal of $7.5 Billion Approved by European Commission

Microsoft Bethesda

The deal between Microsoft and Bethesda is official, as The Verge has reported that the $7.5 billion deal where the Windows and Xbox giant acquires the game studio best known for the Elder Scrolls, Fallout, and Doom series has been approved by the European Commission after weeks of consideration and thought.

With the EU giving its seal of approval, Microsoft can at last finalize their partnership and purchase of Bethesda and its library.

“The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given the combined entity’s limited market position upstream and the presence of strong downstream competitors in the distribution of video games.”

With the merger, Microsoft will also gain access to Bethesda’s sub-studios — including Tango Gameworks (The Evil Within), id Software (Doom and Wolfenstein), and Arkane (Dishonered). Despite the purchase, the company will still run separately and release games for other platforms like the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 — but there’s no denying the exclusivity will also play a big part in the future and that Microsoft will get first dibs on meatier projects when they come and get announced.

Speaking of Bethesda related projects outside of Microsoft, Doom 3 is being rereleased for PSVR as Doom 3 VR — and it arrives on March 29.

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