Ruling For Microsoft’s Acquisition Of Zenimax Media To Be Decided By EU Before March 5th

While it is hard to really forget what happened back in September last year, the industry was shaken upon discovering that Microsoft’s plans to fully acquire Zenimax Media – essentially engulfing ownership of publisher Bethesda and its most notable franchises. Series such as Doom, The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, and Dishonored are planned to reside under the Xbox banner.

But, the official acquisition has yet to still take place. In that, there still has to be a proper ruling which dictates the pursuit to purchase the firm and its assets to be suitable and just in the eyes of legal establishments. But while it is said to take place sometime in 2021, now it is certain that the decision will be made by the first week of March.

In a new report issued by Reuters, the publication discloses efforts for the acquisition to be settled by March 5th. According to the outlet, antitrust regulators part of the European Union will go to vote on the acquisition. On the European Commission domain, it is revealed that Microsoft submitted a request to process the purchase.

As per word-of-mouth within Bethesda studios internally, many of its teams show to be in favor of the deal. For one, Arkane Studios Austin director Harvey Smith disclosed that he viewed the legal conjoining to be a “fit” for both Bethesda and Microsoft. In that past, the two firms collaborated and proved to hold a close relationship that reoccurred time and time again.

Elsewhere in regards to Microsoft’s ambitions with the acquisition, it was disclosed that the firm plans to refocus on its Xbox platform with Bethesda titles and those to come. In a interview with Xbox Chief Financial Officer Tim Stewart, he elaborates on the matter by including that the Xbox platform will be the best option for Bethesda titles in the future. You can read the full report by heading here.

Are you hoping the ruling will go in Microsoft’s favor or no?

Source: Reuters