Microsoft caused a stir when it filed paperwork suggesting it planned to open a new parent company for Bethesda Softworks and ZeniMax Media. However, a recent document released by Microsoft indicates that the situation is something else entirely.
For those unfamiliar with the story, Microsoft recently filed paperwork in Europe that seemingly indicated that Microsoft would absorb ZeniMax Media and possibly Bethesda into its new Vault subsidiary. Vault would serve as the new parent company to Bethesda Softworks and its associated studios. This seemed like an odd decision to some, who wondered why Microsoft would be so eager to dismiss a recognizable name like Bethesda.
However, it now appears that is not precisely the case. In fact, almost the opposite is true, with ZeniMax absorbing Vault rather than the other way around. This second document was discovered and shared by the Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages, which shared the information via Twitter. According to the new document, which exists primarily to clarify the point, “Following this merger, Vault will cease to exist, and ZeniMax will survive, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Microsoft.” This clarification was necessary, as the language of the original filing was somewhat unclear on the matter.
It’s still not clear what Vault’s purpose is. Some suggested creating a new company would allow Bethesda to retain a degree of autonomy within Microsoft’s corporate hierarchy. However, it now seems ZeniMax itself will serve that role. The initial filing indicates that the merger is somehow necessary for Microsoft to take full control of Zenimax Media. It could be that Vault may be little more than a placeholder or shell company meant to fulfill arcane legal requirements.
Microsoft purchased ZeniMax Media last year for a reported $7.5 billion. As the parent company of Bethesda Softworks, the acquisition gave Microsoft control over several studios such as Id Software, MachineGames, Arcane Studios, and ZeniMax Online Studios. The merger has yet to be approved by the European Union authorities. However, it appears unlikely that anyone will raise a critical objection between now and the fast-approaching deadline.
The most noticeable effect for gamers is that this acquisition puts many popular franchises under Microsoft’s control. Some worry that Doom, Fallout, The Eder Scrolls, Wolfenstein, and more may become Xbox and PC exclusives. So far, Microsoft had pledged to honor deals made by Bethesda before the acquisition. This includes the PS5 timed exclusivity of the upcoming games Deathloop and GhostWire: Tokyo.
That said, Microsoft has little incentive to continue releasing games on rival platforms. It’s unlikely Microsoft will be pulling Skyrim from the Nintendo Switch any time soon. However, more distant releases such as Starfield and the long-awaited The Elder Scrolls 6 come with no such guarantees.
Source: Rock Paper Shotgun
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