Derek

I don't disagree with you in the slightest, but it would be the publisher that makes that decision, which for tax shenanigans is actually "Bethesda Softworks" not "Bethesda Studios". But since Microsoft bought out zenimax it would be Microsoft telling them what to do.

Don't get me wrong both Bethesda Studios and Softworks are infamous for their terrible decisions. Releasing broken games that only become good/playable when modders get their hands on them? Breaking the seal on micro transactions with "Horse Armor"? Starfield? Fallout 77?

They're bad enough I refuse to buy Bethesda developed games, unless it comes from a subsidiary I respect (id in this case).

And coming from the company that has decided to bring updates that you don't have to restart for at a monthly "subscription" of $1.50 PER CORE (12 core CPU? = $18/month). I highly suspect this brilliant decision came straight from M$ and not developer or even direct publisher in this instance. This is another M$ special. "Save money" by not having to produce as much actual product is a M$ thing to do.