Microsoft acquires Bethesda Softworks. I think ‘shookt’ is the right term for what the industry is feeling right now.

In a surprise announcement over social media and on the Xbox Wire news page, Bethesda now joins the Team Xbox starting today as ZeniMax Media, the parent company of Bethesda Softworks, is acquired by Microsoft.

How much, you ask? A cool $7.5 Billion.

Pete HInes, SVP of PR and Marketing, says that the deal “allows us to make even better games going forward. Microsoft is an incredible partner and offers access to resources that will make us a better publisher and developer. We believe that means better games for you to play.”

Hines also points out that they are “still Bethesda. We’re still working on the same games we were yesterday, made by the same studios we’ve worked with for years, and those games will be published by us.”

Bethesda is composed of around 2,300 talented individuals across various studios like Bethesda Softworks, Bethesda Game Studios, id Software, ZeniMax Online Studios, Arkane, MachineGames, Tango Gameworks, Alpha Dog, and Roundhouse Studios. Collectively, they have produced top rated titles such as Dishonored, Wolfenstein, The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, and much more.

Does this mean that Bethesda titles will now be Xbox Exclusive games? It might be the case, and is just proof of the Xbox promise to provide “the most performant, immersive and compatible next-generation gaming experiences, and the freedom to play blockbuster games with your friends, anytime, anywhere.”

This may also mean that all Bethesda titles moving forward will be free on day one for Game Pass. Sweet!

With this acquisition, expect the Series S and X to just get better over time, further strengthening their already potent game library and powerhouse technology.

Pretty awkward for Deathloop and Ghostwire Tokyo, huh.