Microsoft's Acquisition of Bethesda: EU Approves the Deal

The EU has officially approved Microsoft's proposed acquisition of ZeniMax Media, all but assuring that the $7.5 billion deal will go ahead. The decision hinged upon whether the merger would be interpreted as a step towards monopolisation.  The EU ruled that it did not, stating that it "does not raise serious doubts as to its compatibility with the common market".

ZeniMax Media is a holding company for an array of big names in the games industry, including Bethesda, id Software and Machine Games. The deal would put Microsoft in possession of these studios, although they would continue to work independently in a subsidiary known as "The Vault". It is not currently known whether games from ZeniMax Media's studios will be exclusive to Microsoft platforms following this deal, although the timed PlayStation-exclusivity of Deathloop, a game from ZeniMax's Arkane Studios, offers some hope for PlayStation owners. 

The news follows similar authorisation from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) last week, who stood as another significant hurdle to the deal's finalisation. With both authorities in agreement, it appears that little stands in the way of the monumental acquisition.