About This Deal

Microsoft Corporation acquired ZeniMax Media (Bethesda Softworks) for $7.5 billion, a transaction announced in September 2020, structured as all cash.

ZeniMax Media (Bethesda Softworks) operates in Gaming, is based in Rockville, Maryland, USA. Microsoft announced plans to buy ZeniMax Media, the privately held parent of publisher Bethesda Softworks, for $7.5 billion in cash. ZeniMax brought franchises such as The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, DOOM, Quake, Wolfenstein and Dishonored plus more than 2,300 employees across eight studios. The deal grew Microsoft's first-party lineup from 15 to 23 creative studio teams, with Bethesda's games coming to Xbox Game Pass.

Adds proven blockbuster game content to fuel Xbox Game Pass and Microsoft's content-community-cloud gaming strategy.

Deal Terms

Acquirer
Microsoft Corporation
Target
ZeniMax Media (Bethesda Softworks)
Value
$7.5 billion
Date
September 2020
Type
Acquisition
Status
Official-source — no SEC filing

Transaction Details

Target HQ
Rockville, Maryland, USA
Segment
Gaming
Structure
All cash
Announced
September 21, 2020

In Their Words

Quality differentiated content is the engine behind the growth and value of Xbox Game Pass.Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft

Advisors

Advisory firms were not disclosed for this transaction.

Related Deals & Entities

Sources: Press release ↗ · Last updated July 16, 2026

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