Bethesda Softworks, the studio behind games like Fallout 4 and Skyrim, is shuttering its independent game launcher in May. The Microsoft-owned studio is asking players to migrate their Steam libraries, wallet balances and save files to Steam starting in April.
“For games that require it, you will still use your Bethesda.net login to sign in to play,” reads a post on Bethesda’s official site. “Your Bethesda.net account will not be lost and will still be accessible on our website and in-game, and we will continue supporting all Bethesda.net accounts with our future titles.”
Bethesda dropping launcher, migrating to Steam
📣 ATTENTION PC PLAYERS: We are retiring the Bethesda Launcher and moving to Steam.
Here’s everything you’re going to want to know about what to expect and how to migrate your Bethesda Library to Steam: https://t.co/KBBokFeZkt pic.twitter.com/f0KWBqd0kp
— Bethesda (@bethesda) February 22, 2022
Players will still need to retain a Bethesda.net account if they play a game that requires it. Instructions on how to migrate libraries will come later and players will still be able to access their libraries through Bethesda.net. However, they will not be able to play their games through the platform starting in May.
Some save files will require a manual transfer process while others will transfer automatically. Players will not be able to migrate the information from their Bethesda accounts to PS5, Xbox One or any other PC game platform or service.
“Games that have the Bethesda.net Friends List will be merged after migration,” the post reads. “This includes Fallout 76, DOOM Eternal, Wolfenstein: Youngblood, The Elder Scrolls: Legends, Rage 2 and DEATHLOOP.”
Bethesda’s parent company, ZeniMax Media, was acquired by Microsoft for $7.5 billion in 2021. They are one of a growing number of acquisitions that are happening throughout the game industry. Microsoft is close to closing on another deal to acquire Activision Blizzard for close to $70 billion. That acquisition has raised questions about what will happen to Battle.net, Blizzard’s game management platform, and other internal tools used by games like Call of Duty and Overwatch.
The game industry is in the midst of a platform race, where various PC game services are competing for market share. Steam has dominated the space for the majority of its lifespan, but competitors like the Epic Game Store have been making moves to challenge Valve.
