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Microsoft is acquiring Bethesda parent company ZeniMax

Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 15:12
by Roobar
Microsoft is acquiring Bethesda Softworks parent company ZeniMax:

https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/21/2144 ... s-series-x

Probably the rights for Keen goes to Microsoft now? Still, this means nothing regarding Keen, which is pretty much dead anyway. Perhaps the main reason for this purchase is the next console war, securing some big titles. But still, worth mentioning...

Re: Microsoft is acquiring Bethesda parent company ZeniMax

Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 15:31
by Benvolio
Definitely worth mentioning. Microsoft have given due care and attention to some of their own franchises. But it's doubtful that they would care enough about Keen to do anything special with it any time soon. I think they listen to fan groups where there's money to be made (e.g. Age of Empires). But there's no money in Commander Keen, as it stands.

Re: Microsoft is acquiring Bethesda parent company ZeniMax

Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 16:34
by Gridlock
My jaw dropped this morning when I saw the headline this morning. That's such a massive acquisition. But yeah, I'm wondering what this means for Keen, if anything. My impression is that Microsoft's current strategy is being more consumer friendly and not as litigious when it comes to cracking down on fan works (correct me if I'm wrong). I don't know if Microsoft will institute changes at Zenimax, though. While any big corporate changes do make me a little nervous with regard to fan works, I think this community is too small to be affected.

I guess it's not impossible that Microsoft might sanction another attempt at reviving the Keen IP. The disastrous mobile game if nothing else put Keen on the radar again, if only briefly.

Re: Microsoft is acquiring Bethesda parent company ZeniMax

Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 17:21
by Roobar
Image

:O :O :O

Re: Microsoft is acquiring Bethesda parent company ZeniMax

Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 17:22
by Nisaba
...mmmhhh...

Re: Microsoft is acquiring Bethesda parent company ZeniMax

Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 19:19
by Lower IQ than 314
Image

Re: Microsoft is acquiring Bethesda parent company ZeniMax

Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2020 14:15
by Benvolio
I feel flattered that Microsoft were more interested in buying Commander Keen than TikTok.

Re: Microsoft is acquiring Bethesda parent company ZeniMax

Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2020 5:00
by Keening_Product
I could see Microsoft making a Keen Switch game or something, but yeah, I'd be surprised if much happens. They might be more open to moving the ip to someone who will do something, but I suspect nobody could justify what that would cost.

I feel Keen is to Zenimax/Bethesda what a wrapper is to a chocolate bar - looks cool, but isn't what the customer is buying. Here's hoping Microsoft has a taste for packaging, haha.

Edit: added Zenimac to the gargy analogy

Re: Microsoft is acquiring Bethesda parent company ZeniMax

Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2020 12:56
by Trevor_trev
It would be nice if Microsoft took some inspiration from Nintendo and started tapping into the nostalgia market, but as far as I can tell they seem to be more focused on moving forward than looking back. But one can still dream :drool

Re: Microsoft is acquiring Bethesda parent company ZeniMax

Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2020 7:41
by Lunick
All hail Daddy Microsoft

Re: Microsoft is acquiring Bethesda parent company ZeniMax

Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2020 20:13
by nanomekia
I've got tentative hopes for this.