Microsoft andXboxsent waves through the gaming world when it was announced thatMicrosoft acquired ZeniMax (Bethesda)for 7.5 billion dollars. Once the dust settled on the announcement and the pure shock wore off, questions started to pop up about how Xbox would handle the new content. Perhaps games likeFalloutwill still release on PlayStation consoles, or perhapsElder Scrolls 6will now be an Xbox Exclusive. One thing that may not have been initially considered is the technology behind the Bethesda games, and how now all of Xbox Game Studios will be able to share game engines and tech with Bethesda, and visa versa.
With the surprising acquisition,Xbox now owns Arkane, Tango, MachineGames, iD Software, of course, Bethesda Game Studios, and more. This move doesn’t only mean that games likeDishoneredwill now probably arrive on Game Pass, but it also means that the remarkable, unique, and flexible game engines and technology of the studios are now in the hands of Xbox–which means there are plenty of exciting sharing opportunities.
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The Engines of Bethesda Game Studios
Each of the studios within Bethesda uses their own technology for their games, and that probably won’t change drastically. Much of the tech has been built specifically with the games in mind.Bethesda is currently working on updating its Creation Enginefor next-gen, and specifically forStarfield. The Creation Engine has a solid combat system, can handle multiple branching stories, and has been used for decades by the team.
Arkane has used the Void engine for games likeDishonored 2, and it’s both gorgeous in terms of lighting and power, and also able to handle a lot on the screen at once. The engine is a variation of iD Tech, which is whatDoomruns on. iD Software’s engine is also simply known as theDoomEngine. For anyone who has played thewell-receivedDoom Eternal, the beauty of the engine is obvious. Many of the studios that Microsft has just acquired with this big move use a variation of iD Tech, including MachineGames withWolfenstein. With the developers being so comfortable with the engines after using them successfully for so long, it is likely that they will keep using them.
Xbox Games That Can Borrow From Bethesda
Now that Microsoft owns Bethesda, it can also use the technology of the developer(s) for its other games. For years now, Xbox fans have been asking for anewPerfect Dark. If there was any game that could be perfect with the Void Engine, or any variation of the Doom Engine,Perfect Darkcould be it.
There are plenty ofXbox games that should return, and many of them could benefit from Bethesda tech. The newFablecould use elements of the Creation Engine for branching stories, or Rare could perhaps borrow things for a return ofKameo. TheBethesda buy is interesting for Obsidian, a team that has worked onFalloutgames in the past and recently madeThe Outer Worlds,a game that was heavily inspired byFallout. Now that Obsidian is makingAvowed, which carries elements ofElder Scrolls, the developer can lean now on Bethesda for advice, technology, and assistance with making that epic RPG. That is, of course, assuming the two have let bygones be bygones.
Bethesda Games May Also Borrow from Xbox
The deal goes both ways, as now Bethesda has more money and resources than ever with the help of Microsoft. If Bethesda wantsElder Scrolls 6 (which could be an Xbox Exclusive), to have gorgeous skies and dynamic weather, it could borrow technology from Playground Games andForza Horizon. Perhaps Arkane Studios has big ideas to takeDishonered 3to a dark and dismal watery port, and the water dynamics from Rare’sSea of Thievescould help with remarkable immersion.
Beyond the games, beyond the bragging rights for Xbox fans, abnd beyond the opportunities with Xbox Game Pass, there are new levels of cooperation for both Xbox and Bethesda in terms of technology and engine sharing with themost expensive acquisition in gaming history. It will be very exciting to see what comes in the next couple of years.
