Microsoft & Bethesda To Hold One Conference

YAY! More E3 news, it is not as if we get enough of that. Well, more recently it has been a little more from the horse’s mouth. This time it is from the other end. My tip is to just stand back and let it play out, you can get the shovel later. Well, it turns out according to Le Figaro (which requires a subscription) rumor has it that the merger between ZeniMax Media and Microsoft will go a little further than just business.

If you aren’t French-speaking, you could use VGC for a source too, I guess. The main point of the article is to say Matt Booty, the best name in all of video games, has said to Chloe Woitier of Le Figaro that we might be seeing one less show this year. This news is in regards to one conference I’m personally grateful for getting the ax this year and all future years. Especially since ZeniMax Media is the professional way to talk about Bethesda, Id, Arkane, Tango Gameworks, MachineGames, and more.

[Fil] J'ai pu m'entretenir avec Matt Booty, directeur des Xbox Game Studios. A propos du rachat de Bethesda :
– conférence commune Microsoft-Bethesda dans quelques semaines
– objectif : les nouveautés Bethesda dans le Game Pass dès le jour de leur sortiehttps://t.co/J1CQWnj8bl

— Chloé Woitier ☕ (@W_Chloe) May 20, 2021

Booty noted the impact that COVID-19 has had on the development of first-party titles, most notably new IP rather than sequels. It is a strange statement as Halo Infinite was delayed late last year, though this was after fan outcry over the shockingly poor visuals on display in trailers. With the ZeniMax Media/Bethesda deal of $7.5-billion closing just a few months ago, Microsoft now has some of the largest depth of studios creating games. Though when asked about it, Booty (still the best name!) said he couldn’t comment if there are more acquisitions down the line.

However, with the reveal Bethesda and Microsoft will be one conference, comes the rumors of what will be announced from the event. Of course, these are rumors, but the walls and Jason Schreier always have ears. Scheier took a good metaphorical punch at the people who send death threats to those who release possible leads that may turn out to be pulled or untrue. He noted this as he pointed out what he heard about Starfield, Bethesda’s new space-y RPG-thing, will be announced for late 2022.

Let me make this very clear: Bethesda's plan is to tease a release date for Starfield at E3. That date is in *late* 2022. I'll leave the specifics to them. But please keep your expectations in check and refrain from sending death threats when the other rumors turn out to be false

— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier) May 20, 2021

For those expecting The Elder Scrolls 6 (or “Skyrim 2”) I’d suggest you’ll also be waiting a little longer. We might get further news on what is next in the Fallout series, possibly new microtransaction money in 76 or an actual game teased. Of course, I wouldn’t count out seeing a bit of DeathLoop, ahead of its release this September either. That is, despite a few previews putting dampers on the time with “It just happens to be in a world that resets every day. It is still a linear story.” Well, Hitman with magic is still Hitman, but with all the lovely bits of Arkane magic. So expect a four to six-hour showcase that I’ll have to cover in about the space of three hours. I love E3, honest!