Bethesda Kicks Off Exciting 40th Anniversary Steam Sale Featuring Major Discounts
On August 13, Bethesda concluded a thrilling 40th anniversary sale on Steam, which had been running in conjunction with QuakeCon. The extensive sale included discounts across the entire catalog, featuring games from its affiliates like id Software and Arkane Studios. A highlight of the event was the substantial discount on the newly launched expansion for Doom: The Dark Ages, titled Revelations, which was offered at half price for just $10 instead of the usual $20.
Released only a month prior on July 7, Revelations quickly garnered a positive reception and was noted for its intense gameplay. Reviewers praised the expansion, with one prominent gaming critic reflecting on its impact, asserting that it was a significant improvement and breathed new life into the base game. Meanwhile, the Dark Ages title itself also received a steep discount of 67%, dropping to $23.
Beyond the Doom offerings, the sale featured a variety of Bethesda’s other renowned titles, providing something for nearly every gamer’s taste. For example, the beloved Skyrim could be snagged for a mere $10, making it an irresistible opportunity for anyone who may have missed it previously. There was also a comprehensive bundle of Arkane’s entire collection available for $54, which received enthusiastic recommendations from avid fans of the studio’s work.
Contrarily, Dark Messiah of Might and Magic continued to be sold at its standard price of $10, as it remained outside the sale’s discount eligibility possibly due to copyright issues. Therefore, purchasing the full bundle ended up being a more beneficial option compared to acquiring games individually.
The overall sale represented a fantastic opportunity for gamers, but it came at a challenging time for Bethesda. Following Microsoft’s strategic overhaul of Xbox, the studio faced significant downsizing, with reported layoffs affecting numerous staff across various divisions including Bethesda Game Studios and Zenimax Online. With Arkanes’ future uncertain, the aggressive discounting of a new title like Revelations left some concerned about the game’s market value and the company’s overall direction.
Editorial Material: This sale is significant as it highlights Bethesda’s efforts to engage the gaming community while navigating challenging circumstances, reflecting the changing dynamics of the gaming industry.