Microsoft to Purchase ZOS

JanTanhide · September 2020

Maybe, just maybe M.S. will put ESO on more powerful servers to handle the player base. One can only hope.

vibeborn · September 2020

Hopefully it will mean good things

karekiz · September 2020

They are buying it for Skyrim/Fallout/Doom.

ESO is just a little side piece to eek those tasty cash shop uses.

Uriel_Nocturne · September 2020

While I don't see any drastic changes coming for ESO from this purchase, I am happy. (Primarily an Xbox Gamer).

However, my brain did take the time reading the various articles about this this morning, to remind me of something.

Microsoft/Xbox has been a MASSIVE proponent from cross-play. They've been undertaking a lot of moves and initiatives to expand cross-play and widen it across a huge number of games, including the ability to remotely play Xbox and PC games wherever a person might be, including on a smartphone via the use of a blutooth controller.

Now that Microsoft is going to own everything Zenimax/Bethesda and all of their studios, there is the very distinct possibility of cross-play between Xbox and PC in the near-to-distant future. At least between the Xbox and PC versions of the game.

I can't say where Sony will fall or stand in all of this. Historically Sony hasn't been in favor of cross-play much at all. A few games here and there, but not many.

It will definitely be interesting to see how this plays out in the coming months/years, but I'm definitely hoping for, and excited for, the possibility of cross-play for ESO between the Xbox and PC communities.

Nestor · September 2020

I would think that after spending 7.5B on the company for pretty much Intellectual Property at this point. Elder Scrolls and Fallout being the main Franchises I don't see them killing off those games. What would be left? Dishonored, Doom, Wolfenstein and Quake are not enough to justify that sale price.

I just hope they get some capital to invest some people for development of content. I mean, the Star Wars franchise has certainly produced some new content once it was sold off, far faster than Lucas ever did.

Vandellia · September 2020

I am more then afraid of the fate of future updates and fixes for ESO at least MS is not as bad at killing off games as Sony is .. I am skeptical about any future development or expansion of ESO with this purchase.

starlizard70ub17_ESO · September 2020

woufff wrote: »

Great, that means also internal competition between Obsidian & ZOS

Well, let's wait and see...

So, in couple of years we'll see Bethesda's Fallout 5 and Obsidian's Fallout: (insert random city name here). Then Fallout fans can "discuss" for a few years which is the better Fallout.

Prof_Bawbag · September 2020

Lets hope they don't do to Bethesda what EA did to BioWare

SeanBlader · September 2020

BalticBlues wrote: »

Bethesda, could be you think about selling to Apple instead of Microsoft pls?
I am certain Apple would be thrilled of a purchase if you would offer one.

Let's just be clear Apple isn't a software company, they are a hardware company that happens to make some mediocre software on the side. They don't have an excellent track record with server infrastructure, they have very little experience with games, and their acquisition record is relatively atrocious, check out what they did with Siri.

Microsoft on the other hand recognized back in the 20th that they needed to support gamers if they wanted Windows to even be a thing at all. Before DirectX you had to exit Windows to play any of your games off the DOS command line. Without gamers Windows wouldn't even exist at all. Their gaming pedigree has only been improved over the years and they are a known quantity triple-A publisher with several home built titles, and several acquisition titles that have all seen outstanding improvements over the years.

That's not to say this is going to be a great acquisition, but a wait an see approach will be the way to go. I've been in software corporate acquisitions and it took a year before developers saw any impact, and 18 months before consumers would notice changes.

Personally I'm encouraged by the investment of Microsoft, it means they see value where we Bethesda/Zenimax fans provide it, and they'll want to encourage that and expand it through any means possible, which probably means a quick improvement in low hanging fruit where money/time can be easily spent to have a better reputation. This is worth watching.

Sylvermynx · September 2020

The one thing that will kill this for me is crossplay when it happens. There's already too many people around for me.... I'll just go back to original Skyrim forever.

NewbieOKS · September 2020

SeanBlader wrote: »

BalticBlues wrote: »

Bethesda, could be you think about selling to Apple instead of Microsoft pls?
I am certain Apple would be thrilled of a purchase if you would offer one.

Let's just be clear Apple isn't a software company, they are a hardware company that happens to make some mediocre software on the side. They don't have an excellent track record with server infrastructure, they have very little experience with games, and their acquisition record is relatively atrocious, check out what they did with Siri.

Microsoft on the other hand recognized back in the 20th that they needed to support gamers if they wanted Windows to even be a thing at all. Before DirectX you had to exit Windows to play any of your games off the DOS command line. Without gamers Windows wouldn't even exist at all. Their gaming pedigree has only been improved over the years and they are a known quantity triple-A publisher with several home built titles, and several acquisition titles that have all seen outstanding improvements over the years.

That's not to say this is going to be a great acquisition, but a wait an see approach will be the way to go. I've been in software corporate acquisitions and it took a year before developers saw any impact, and 18 months before consumers would notice changes.

Personally I'm encouraged by the investment of Microsoft, it means they see value where we Bethesda/Zenimax fans provide it, and they'll want to encourage that and expand it through any means possible, which probably means a quick improvement in low hanging fruit where money/time can be easily spent to have a better reputation. This is worth watching.

Also mentioned in the news:

Purchase is Microsoft’s most-expensive video-game deal ever
Microsoft needs game titles after delay of Halo Infinite
Microsoft spent $2.5 billion to purchase the maker of Minecraft in 2014.

Khrogo · September 2020

This is an absolute bombshell. The wording about “currently supported” platforms makes me suspect that there will be no native PS5 version of ESO. I don’t see Starfield or Elders Scrolls 6 getting a PlayStation release now.

IxSTALKERxI · September 2020

Time to short microsoft?

Will be funny if purchasing ESO marks the high.

BlueRaven · September 2020

Khrogo wrote: »

This is an absolute bombshell. The wording about “currently supported” platforms makes me suspect that there will be no native PS5 version of ESO. I don’t see Starfield or Elders Scrolls 6 getting a PlayStation release now.

I think they already announced ESO for ps5. That being said I am guessing it’s time for me to start considering buying a pc finally.

NeillMcAttack · September 2020

karekiz wrote: »

They are buying it for Skyrim/Fallout/Doom.

ESO is just a little side piece to eek those tasty cash shop uses.

ESO is the current golden goose of Zenimax Media.....

BalticBlues · September 2020

BalticBlues wrote: »

Bethesda, could be you think about selling to Apple instead of Microsoft pls?
I am certain Apple would be thrilled of a purchase if you would offer one.

SeanBlader wrote: »

Let's just be clear Apple isn't a software company, they are a hardware company that happens to make some mediocre software on the side.

Don't you remember? Microsoft even RUINED their Windows mobile platform and Nokia with it due to their poor mobile software. At that time, it was Apple's iOS which REVOLUTIONIZED mobile platforms and mobile gaming as we know it today. Today, almost all mobile companies copy software concepts Apple invented (as Microsoft before copied Apple's desktop/mouse UI concepts). The computers and mobiles we use today are build on hardware and software concepts of Apple. Apple means innovations. M$ means just dollars.

Mahabahabtha · September 2020

NewbieOKS wrote: »

It said in the news article:

Under the terms of the agreement, Microsoft will acquire ZeniMax Media for $7.5 billion in cash.

Jesus Lord

So, Microsoft bought Mojang (ONLY Game Minecraft) for 2.5 Billions

https://theguardian.com/technology/2014/sep/15/microsoft-buys-minecraft-creator-mojang-for-25bn

Regarding to Zeni, with has Franchises like Dishonored, Wolfenstein, Doom, Quake, Elder Scrolls etc.

it seems for me they went to Microsoft for really cheap dollars...

methinks, after Years of no News for their upcoming Games like Starfield and ES6, they were broke due to high cost of paychecks for nothindoers...

voreo · September 2020

This just is good news. Means Zenimax might not be able to get away with pushing out buggy messes.

Im well aware of some comparisons people made regarding Blizzard. Theres a key difference here... MS ain't Activision.With the whole game pass thing they have no reason to push anything that would negatively impact games on the program

Plus it could mean crown store costs could go down....maybe?

Swordancer · September 2020

I am really glad it happend. Im using a lot of Microsoft services as a .Net developer and my experience with thier services and video games is great. I hope they gonna push ESO to Azure to get rid of lag problems and make some great changes out there, especially on Zenimax management board becouse I am totally disappointed in thier last few years and I buy games related to Bethesda and Zenimax very carefully.

I think we all know that Zenimax related brands and companies lost much of their reputation in recent years and I hope Microsoft will change that.

I keep my fingers crossed for Microsoft. They have a lot of work to do now.

JamieAubrey · September 2020

Time to chuck a few thou at those PvP servers

Nairinhe · September 2020

Todd: Hey, Microsoft, wanna buy Skyrim?
Microsoft: Okay

Luke_Flamesword · September 2020

It can be good, it can be bad, but personally I think that we have better chances for good option. Why? main reason is that previous owner had very predatory policy and I think it's one of reasons why ESO has problems. They don't want to invest too much, they wanted to milking game. I think that ZOS is really good team, but they just don't have enough resources (cash and employees) to make ESO great again

So in worst scenario it will just the same situation and nothing changes (they won't butcher one of most most popular MMOs after paying 7,5 billion) and in good scenario - Microsoft will see potential of game and will invest more cash to make game better and build even bigger playerbase.

Also Microsoft bought Minecraft and as we can see - game is more popular and better developed than ever.

Just stay positive, what other we can do

NewbieOKS · September 2020

Mahabahabtha wrote: »

NewbieOKS wrote: »

It said in the news article:

Under the terms of the agreement, Microsoft will acquire ZeniMax Media for $7.5 billion in cash.

Jesus Lord

So, Microsoft bought Mojang (ONLY Game Minecraft) for 2.5 Billions

https://theguardian.com/technology/2014/sep/15/microsoft-buys-minecraft-creator-mojang-for-25bn

Regarding to Zeni, with has Franchises like Dishonored, Wolfenstein, Doom, Quake, Elder Scrolls etc.

it seems for me they went to Microsoft for really cheap dollars...

methinks, after Years of no News for their upcoming Games like Starfield and ES6, they were broke due to high cost of paychecks for nothindoers...

PrimusNephilim · September 2020

This is going to be a death kill for ESO and FO and the gaming industry

Mahabahabtha · September 2020

Swordancer wrote: »

I hope they gonna push ESO to Azure

My Mantra for the next year...

Inaya · September 2020

Microsoft also plans to run Bethesda as its own division, with leadership and structure intact.
https://cnet.com/news/microsofts-xbox-expands-buying-zenimax-media-and-fallout-maker-bethesda-for-7-5-billion/

Avariprivateer · September 2020

Mahabahabtha wrote: »

Swordancer wrote: »

I hope they gonna push ESO to Azure

My Mantra for the next year...

https://imgflip.com/i/4fqva1

Celephantsylvius_Bornasfinmo · September 2020

Well I'm pretty sure that's why we got crownstore to make the company easier to sell with a constant cash flow. I'm pretty sure Microsoft will continue with elastic path or maybe something of their own devise.

Hotdog_23 · September 2020

As a ps4 player this makes me nervous but such is life. Don't see them stopping supporting it on PS but I can see changes being made in the long run.

Hope the dev's here get a nice bonus from this.

Pyvos · September 2020

Khrogo wrote: »

This is an absolute bombshell. The wording about “currently supported” platforms makes me suspect that there will be no native PS5 version of ESO. I don’t see Starfield or Elders Scrolls 6 getting a PlayStation release now.

Zenimax Online Studios already committed to Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X support: https://www.elderscrollsonline.com/en-us/news/post/58601

Regardless, I think you're reading too much into this. Bethesda Softworks / ZeniMax Media is a massive company with several subsidiaries, such as Zenimax Online Studios, Arkane Studios (producers of Dishonored, Dishonored 2, Prey, Wolfenstein: Youngblood, etc.), and id Software (creators of Wolfenstein, Doom, and Rage).

Most of the studios work fairly independently and adopt / utilize the technology that makes the most sense to them. Most of Bethesda has uses its own engine based on Gamebryo in some form (Morrowind, Oblivion, Skyrim, Fallout games, FO76).

Oblivion was available for Xbox 360, PS3, and Windows. Skyrim is available on practically anything that isn't a toaster. ESO is cross-platform already and as per my initial link, they already committed to supporting both.
Fallout 3 was released for Windows, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360. Fallout 4 was released for Windows, Xbox One, PS4.
ESO uses HeroEngine+Havok to some degree, is already cross-platform and will be supporting Xbox Series X and PS5.
Doom has its own engine (Doom Engine / "id Tech"). Doom (2016) was released for Linux, Windows, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch. Doom Eternal is on Windows, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, with announced support for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
The Elder Scrolls: Legends (RIP) used/uses Unity. It's available for PS4, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS, Xbox One, Windows, and macOS.
Arkane Studios primarily uses Unreal Engine. Dishonored was available for PS3, PS4, Windows, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. Dishonored 2+Prey+Wolfenstein: Youngblood were already released for PS4, Windows, and Xbox One. Wolfenstein: Cyberpilot was released for PS4 and Windows. Deathloop is announced for Windows and actually a timed-exclusive for PS5.

Starfield and TES: VI are so far out that it's hard to really say what they are even going to be, let alone what platforms they'll ship on. Given the track record of Bethesda and its subsidiaries, I'd say it's quite likely we'll see it be on PS5 and Xbox Series X.