Microsoft to Merge New Subsidiary ‘Vault’ Into Bethesda Parent Company ZeniMax

Microsoft has revealed it will create and merge a new subsidiary called Vault into Bethesda’s parent company ZeniMax Media if its acquisition of the group goes ahead.

The details of Vault came from documents submitted to the European Commission, a body that is investigating whether Microsoft’s purchase of ZeniMax breaks antitrust laws. The name “Vault” seems to be a nod to the Fallout RPG series created by Bethesda, which features nuclear shelters that are known as vaults.

Some outlets have wrongly assumed the creation of Vault means that the ZeniMax name will no longer be used and all of the company’s assets and studios will be transferred to the newly formed Vault.

However, a document submitted to the European Commission explains that Vault will be merged “with and into ZeniMax,” and, “Following this merger, Vault will cease to exist and ZeniMax will survive, as a wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft.”

The temporariness of Vault is further stressed by the subsidiary’s full name: Vault Merger Sub, Inc.

The European Commission is expected to reach a decision about the acquisition of ZeniMax by March 5. It could order concessions from Microsoft to allow the purchase to go ahead or order a full investigation if it has substantial concerns.

Microsoft announced that it had agreed a deal with ZeniMax last year for a record $7.5 billion in cash and shares. The holding company currently owns Arkane Studios, Bethesda Softworks, id Software, MachineGames, and Tango Gameworks.