EU Approve Microsoft's Acquisition Of Bethesda

The European Commission has approved Microsoft’s $7.5 billion acquisition of ZeniMax Media. The Commission approved Microsoft’s deal to buy the parent company of Bethesda Game Studios without conditions. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given the combined entity’s limited market position upstream and the presence of strong downstream competitors, The European Commission. The news does not mean Microsoft’s acquisition is fully closed but it is a big step in the process. Microsoft announced plans to acquire Bethesda in September and has promised to honor existing deals with Playstation. Microsoft has yet to announce its long-term plans for the studios, which also include Arkane and MachineGames. When the acquisition is finally closed Microsoft will have 23 first-party game development studios.