Microsoft sent shockwaves around the gaming world last September when they announced the purchase of Zenimax Media, the parent company of Bethesda Softworks. The deal, worth a staggering $7.5 billion, will see the likes of Fallout and The Elder Scrolls become Xbox properties. While the deal has already been agreed, there are still some potential stumbling blocks.

Reuters has reported that Microsoft has "requested European Commission approval" for the purchase over the last couple of days. The deal will be decided on by EU antitrust regulators will by March 5.

Reuters states that:

"The EU competition enforcer can clear the deal with or without concessions during its preliminary review or it can open a full-scale investigation if it has serious concerns."

Zenimax, and by extension Bethesda, are best known for their big franchises The Elder Scrolls, which includes both Skyrim and Oblivion and the Fallout series. On top of these titles, however, the company has played its part in the releases of some other huge franchises, including the Doom series, Wolfenstein series and Dishonored series.

The future is looking good for both Bethesda and Microsoft. As well as their wonderful back catalogue of games, it's been confirmed that the company has at least two more massive titles in the works. Announced back at E3 2018, Bethesda confirmed a brand new IP, titled Starfield, and the next game in The Elder Scrolls franchise were both in development. Both of these titles are still likely a long way off, however.

It's also been confirmed that another of Zenimax's subsidiaries, MachineGames, is developing a big new title. The Wolfenstein developers have revealed that a new, original Indiana Jones game is being worked on. Thankfully for fans, the development of the new Indy game won't have any bearing on how soon The Elder Scrolls 6 and Starfield release.