1030°

Shuhei Yoshida trolls Microsoft on Twitter, shows that one number is indeed greater than another

Over on Twitter, Shuhei Yoshida trolled Microsoft with one simple tweet.

JP13694332d ago

Just saw this a few minutes ago. The guy can't help himself I guess. It's funny, seven years ago they (Sony) were in the same position. It's good to see that they've learned from their mistakes and developed a sense of humor as well. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go watch South Park for instructions on how to freeze myself until November 15th.

KonsoruMasuta4332d ago

Don't do it. Otters will smash you like clams on their bellies.

JP13694332d ago

Ha!

Who disagreed with that?

deep_fried_bum_cake4332d ago

Well he can still do it if he has a reliable friend watch over him. Cartman was unlucky in that sense. Otters are a worst case scenario.

ApolloTheBoss4332d ago

I thought that was just a myth?! Science damn you, Time child!

TheHierarchy4332d ago

"Shuhei Yoshida trolls Microsoft on Twitter, shows that one number is indeed greater than another"

I don't get why the higher number trolling is so important. by that same logic apple's 5th addition to the Iphone is better than the playstation portable? ....no.

Does this mean that resident evil 6 is the best of the franchise? no.

does this mean that call of duty is better than all shooters out there because they're on the 8th? no.

so what does this logic apply too?

trafalger4332d ago

what's interesting is no mention of japan, there home country!

xxBiG_BoSSxx4332d ago

@thehierarchy

What? your comment makes no sense. none. zero.
I'm guessing it is because you didn't click the article link to twitter.

the numbers Shu refers to are actually quite significant. I'll never understand how some people can think they know everything about a story just by the headline.

TheHierarchy4332d ago (Edited 4332d ago )

yeah, again it's just I've just been hearing that troll used a lot on this site.

....i can find at least 30 articles with people saying it. that's all i'm saying.

redwin4332d ago

I think Yoshida is getting an Xbox One. Ask him in December, he'll tell you .

4332d ago
Ritsujun4332d ago (Edited 4332d ago )

Pathetic Microsofie is ph-pathetic.

Is TheHierarchy seriously that dmb?

christian hour4331d ago

@trafalger

I figured they're saving that date for TGS as well as some games, so far it's been a very western/european developers line-up announced for ps4.

At least... I'm hoping they have good news for the Japanese at TGS. 0_0

ShinMaster4331d ago

Technically, it's not trolling unless he deliberately posts it on the Xbox twitter page.

He wasn't talking to Microsoft or its fanbase. So some people bellow need to relax (@come_bom). Shuhei Yoshida is far from being a "jackass". Seriously, all he said was 32>13 and you guys are freaking out.

christian hour4331d ago (Edited 4331d ago )

Who wants to predict when the first months data of each consoles units sold comes out, the go to excuse for xbone's low sales will be "Oh well they only launched in 13 countries, PS4 had 32 countries worth of sales to go off".

Although we'll have to wait until that time comes and then do the math to see if this is an actual valid excuse, and if it is then feel free to throw it around :P

'And in a dark board room in the deepest reaches of MS HQ, an executive is laughing maniacally; because in actuality this is the real reason they're launching in less than half the countries Sony is. So they can use this excuse themselves for the inevitable low sales to shareholders... "MWAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!", said the happy executive softly to himself... ...'

That last part is just a joke, please don't beat me up :(

Shaaunyb4331d ago

@TheHierarchy

Going by your comment of CoD.. They're on their 8th but i'm pretty sure BF is on something like 10 by now..

+ Show (11) more repliesLast reply 4331d ago
Dunpeal4332d ago ShowReplies(3)
come_bom4332d ago ShowReplies(15)
RedHawkX4331d ago ShowReplies(4)
sentury1114331d ago

What's the difference how many countries the system launches in?

If the system sells out in the regions launched in they will have a larger market share in that region seeing as they are not spread to thin.

It can be spun positively too.

SilentNegotiator4331d ago

Ps4 has more preorders, so it's very unlikely that Xbox One will outsell it in its measly 13 regions to PS4's 32.

So, no, there isn't any way to positively spin it with any sort of sound logic.

GiantEnemyCrab4331d ago

"Ps4 has more preorders"

Source? I don't believe either company has quoted a number. Sony said more than a million preorders but MS has not said a word. If you are going to go off 1 site like Amazon and not know stock allocations I can't see how that statement can be anywhere close to fact.

SilentNegotiator4331d ago (Edited 4331d ago )

Amazon is far from the only site/retailer reporting higher pre-orders.

ABizzel14331d ago

@GiantEnemyCrab

M$ silence says it all. If they have more than 1 million they would have said it.

avengers19784331d ago

And that's amazon in the USA MS' best market. If Sony is beating them there, then surly there beating them in other regions, amazon uk also has PS4 ahead MS' second biggest market. So there losing in there 2 largest markets, that don't spell win to me.

What ever one has the most consoles available for purchase will win, at least in the short term

papashango4331d ago

so preorder numbers are now based off "silence says it all"

interesting

assdan4331d ago

IF both sell out in all the regions they are sold in, sony will have sold a hell of a lot more.

SilentNegotiator4330d ago

@papashango

Game companies ALWAYS announce the million mark as soon as they reach it. You're kidding yourself if you think a corporation like Microsoft would withhold such an important benchmark.

sentury1114330d ago

You guys all missed the point of what I was saying.

I was just pointing out that if both MS and Sony had 4 million units to sell and MS sold those to 13 different regions while Sony sold to 32 then MS would have a larger market in those particular markets.

Of course Sony would have sold more in the markets where MS isn't selling though.

BTW: why can't I edit my posts sometimes?

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 4330d ago
KiLLUMiNATi_894331d ago

Now if someone from MS corporation were to pull something like this N4Sony would blow up!!! MS shows professionalism and respect the competition unlike others....

SilentNegotiator4331d ago (Edited 4331d ago )

If, if, if...people who complain about N4G being "N4Sony" always create stupid little "if" situations.

Look at the facts instead. Things are the way they are because of the actions that Sony and Microsoft have taken respectively. No fantasy "if" situation will change that.

BaronVonRhett4331d ago

Someone doesn't remember the boat or the beer... Or really anything Aaron Greenburg has been saying since forever.

avengers19784331d ago

I been a member here for awhile now, and when I first started this place was nothing but playstation hate... Shoes on the other foot now and all I hear is xbots crying.
I'm sorry but if you can dish it out, you better be able to take it in return.

humbleopinion4331d ago

Funny as hell, but it seems Sony still lacks investments in the marketing department.
Twitter message? When Microsoft trolled Sony last gen for late release in Europe they did it ON A BOAT:
http://www.joystiq.com/2007...

Now that's taking pro trolling to the next level.

FamilyGuy4331d ago

This is hilarious,and they keep doing this kind of stuff. Finally fighting back against all the crap that MS has been saying about them over the years.

They deserve to be trolled.

strifeblade4331d ago (Edited 4331d ago )

what a douchebag- i don't know why he trolls msoft after the 20 exclusives that ps3 has coming are mostly indies and most are timed exclusives LMFAO... its pathetic and msoft has more AAA titles coming in their first year.

The indie titles on ps4 make arcade titles like killer instinct and crimson dragon look AAA. But i don't hear msoft trolling- Really this guy has to keep it classy.

The sony gamescom was horrible in terms of ps4 and vita (save for the long needed vita price cut)... microsoft dropped a gamechanger and fifa included with every console. The best selling franchise in europe - Thats huge and in europe's eyes this just greatly increased the value of xbox one- so what buying ps4 and fifa saves you 40$ but guess what i get kinect- and with it features that will never be available on ps4- so for 40$ extra it's a damn good deal and it is the best thing msoft could've done- Actually i am pissed we don't get something like this in america but whatever.

Most importantly the fact that call of duty has dedicated servers on x1 and not ps4 is huge- this means you can play massive 50 -player online multiplayer without lag, without cheaters or lag switchers- and yes it is because of msoft's 11 billion dollar cloud infrastructure and this just made all the difference for those call of duty ps3 players.

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 4330d ago
JP13694332d ago

And judging by the phantom disagrees, the MS faithful don't take too kindly to verbal jabs via social media. Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!

Ginesis4332d ago

He's just practicing what he'll be doing on the "Social Network System" (PS4)

starchild4332d ago

Nah it's not surprising. Sony execs are only acting like their fanbase. It's what the fanbase responds to; it's what they want and expect.

Sevir4332d ago

Lol. Only acting like the fanbase, ohhhh please stop be having as if MS is so holier than thou. Aaron Greenburg was one of the biggest trolls along with Shane Kim, lets not forget balmer,

MS gets the jabs because the company has been flipping on everything they came out with, its hard to follow a company with no clear vision.

And its not a jab if its factual, if you cant stand the facts, maybe MS should have been clear about the message about the xbox one this negative perception is all MS's doing, dont get mad its in the spotlight.

Cueil4331d ago

I'm sure Microsoft if real worried sleeping on their beds made of 1000 USD bills

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4331d ago
user74029314332d ago

i love every goddamn second of it...

gamertk4214332d ago

Enjoy it, because the pendulum always swings back the other way...

Biggest4332d ago

Pendulum? This is more like a boulder smashing down on a flat surface. It ain't moving.

Ju4332d ago

I think we are already on the back swing here.

Edgetroll4332d ago

That's just the nature of the marketing beast. Overall they've been getting an overwhelming positive response from fans, so they're keeping up with the jabs. Yes it's the occasional low blow, but most people find it funny.

I'm guilty of that as well, I laughed when they showed their info trailer on how to share used games with friends at E3.

WillGuitarGuy4331d ago

Lol It's so good.

*eats popcorn*

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4331d ago
Majin-vegeta4332d ago

Lol the jabs keep on coming xD.

JP13694332d ago

A million pre-orders are inclined to agree with you. I wonder why MS didn't release any numbers? I guess they just forgot, silly little fellers that they are. Ha!

360ICE4332d ago

Didn't he say that the PS4 WILL dominate?

neoMAXMLC4332d ago

@360ICE

Get a dictionary and look up the word 'inclined'

360ICE4331d ago (Edited 4331d ago )

@neoMAXMLC
Oh, I got that. Otherwise they actually would have been at a disagreement. For some reason I just couldn't get my head around someone supporting an argument in a reply. My bad.

Aaaaand I replied to the wrong person. Sorry everyone. I should take more time doing this. Or maybe way less time.

thetruthx14332d ago

Someone tell that fool to go worry about his launch lineup lol

JP13694332d ago

Someone go tell MS to worry about the next five or six years. Sony has plenty of studios that have, time and again, proven themselves with great games. MS has a bunch of rookie studios and DLC exclusives.

AngryEnglish4331d ago

As of May 2013 Sony as a company have a market value of $17.6 billion dollars... quite impressive

Microsoft have a market value of $234.8 billion dollars... around 14 times the value of Sony

Out of the two companies only one of those need to worry about the next 5-6 years... and thats Sony.

If the X1 fails to reach the goal set out do you really think MS will sit back and do nothing, you know as well as i do that MS can sell each console they make over the next 2 years at a loss, like they did with the 360, so before you start looking into the future please consider what each company can do and cant do, this isnt a jab at the PS4... just putting things into perspective

-Mika-4332d ago

lol exactly. If I wasn't such an loyal PS fan. I would have been getting the XB1. Their Launch lineup looks great and they have alot of interesting games lined up for 2014 that aren't unannouced.

scott1824332d ago

I would take infamous second son over any Xbone launch game....

RyuCloudStrife4331d ago

You might as well jump ship then.... KZ:SF trumps all Xbox One's games. All other PS4 launch games are a bonus...

Heartnet4331d ago

The x1 launch lineup is way better than the ps4 and every1 knows this... I think every1 on this forums love drive club and f2p mmo's that are already on PC...

and @Ryu KZ:SF trumps everythign? what are u basing this off? graphcal power? or the previous games in the series which despite being beautiful to look at they didnt do anything spectacular or introduce anything new to the fps genre or narrative...

Kz is an average FPS with above average graphics... The overall experience offered will struggle to be on Par with other FPS on both consoles..

-Foxtrot4332d ago (Edited 4332d ago )

Whats wrong with their launch line up

You know people keep saying that along with that their gamescom was disappointing but really Sony are winning this without even mentioning what their top studios are working on. NaughtyDog, Sony Santa Monica, Guerrilla Games, Media Molecule etc. While Microsoft blew most of their top game reveals at E3, your not going to see more about Sunset Overdrive and Halo, hell even Quantum Break untill next E3.

They have their launch up, all their indie titles and once the PS4 comes out and we start enjoying those games deep down at least we'll know that there's still a lot more to come to keep on supporting them. It's a smart move in my opinion

To me if they announced what their other studios were working on it would be a waste in a business sense. They can keep these new games untill later on once we've finished or enjoyed what the start of the PS4 lineup has to offer.

Besides didn't people make fun of Sony years ago because it's lack of interest in Indie devs or the fact they had none. Now people are moaning about it, come on guys make up your mind.

Ju4332d ago

I admire Sony that they give new devs a chance to prove themselves.

I was kind a bored first half of the presentation - but the truth is, Sony announced quite a few new titles for the PS4 after. It's only fair those got the prime time - we already know the block busters.

Shadow of the Beast seems to be quite alright. War Thunder looks good too.
Not sure what Helldivers will be,
or Rime, "Everybody's gone to the Rapture" is running CryEngine - at least this looks promising for the eyes - and Housemarque is always convincing: Resogun.

Those aren't even the indie titles, and yet we have 7 unannounced games in that list. Event those aren't all. I think the PS4 will do just fine.

I'm looking forward to what Santa Monica will come up with, or ND, or even Guerilla's second franchise. We don't need to have everything first day, don't we? Slow and steady is fine with me.

Heartnet4331d ago

but then there is no reason to buy day one console.. if all decent games have yet to be announced or are going to be relased 4-6 months down the line whats the point?

The majority of the indie games ps4 is getting are just ports or remakes.. which is what i think Sony is going to focus on as its cheap to make with large profit... Hell end of ps3 there was far to many ports and remakes...

And you say Ms blew most of there games at e3 but knowing a game in a proven series is in development gives incentive to buy that console.. if you liked the uncharted series and the halo series and you knew there was a halo game in the making but no the other you would buy the Confirmed game for that console...

Not telling what all ur Studios are up to is a major dissapointment as e3 / gamescom etc only come around once a year... and people arnt gonna spend £329 on a console on a hypothetical Uncharted game.. theyll spend the extra knowing a game they like is going to be released

M-M4332d ago (Edited 4332d ago )

@thetruthx1,

Your username.

@JP1368

Microsoft will have a slow start, but they will start gaining momentum as the years go on. PS4 just seems to have the better lead right now, and Microsoft doesn't have a bunch of rookie studios, a good amount of talented ones in fact.

@-Mika-

You never say anything positive about Sony, should have never posted. Then again, you are Mika after all.

@-Foxtrot

I agree, Sony has a lot of launch games that appeal to many different types of gamers. In the end, both consoles have good launch games that will keep people busy until they release new games next year.

90Supra4332d ago

"Microsoft doesn't have a bunch of rookie studios, a good amount of talented ones in fact."

*Jay Z Voice*

We don't believe you, you need more people...

Anzil4332d ago

MICROSOFT-AAA=Deadrising 3,Forza, Ryse, KI
Sony-AAA=Knack, Killzone SF, Driveclub, DCUo

Snakefist304331d ago

There is also unannouced games from Naught Dog,Santa Monica,Guirella Games and more.I am Pretty sure sony will not let MS gain Momentum in this gen.

MysticStrummer4332d ago

Someone remind MS fans about MS's console history. They seem to have short memories.

As I've said before, neither has a great exclusive in their launch lineup imo. If I had to pick one from each side it would be Ryse and Killzone, but I wouldn't buy either one of those games on launch day. No matter which console I bought I'd be getting BF4 and Watch Dogs.

But... buying a PS4 and PS+, I'll be playing those two games... and PS+ Drive Club... and DC Universe... and Warframe... and within a few months I'd be playing Planetside 2... and Warthunder... and Outlast... without buying another game, though by that time I'd probably buy Killzone anyway.

I don't see how anyone thinks MS's offering out of the gate tops that, but to each their own.

ape0074332d ago (Edited 4332d ago )

yeah also someone need to tell him to worry about cloud dedicated servers

KILLER FEATURE for Xbox One

make the console feel like a Real Nextgen Machine, every online game will play better on X1, let alone a game like TitanFall which cannot be done on any other system except x1 for that matter

Sevir4331d ago

Lmao, um Titan Fall is PC... aaaaaaaaaaaand Xbox 360. Secondly PS4 has dedicated servers thanks to Gaikai's Network infrastructure being built into PSN for Both Vita and PS4. Something they went into detail at the PS4 reveal in feb. Again the xbox one is an over priced less powerful next gen machine compared to the ps4. Keep touting cross generation 360 games as exclusives that cant be done on the ps4 because of the magical cloud (which sony has as well).

The only reason Titan Fall isnt on the PS4 day and Date with PC, Xbox 360, and Xbox one is because of Money. Have a seat ---> _/

forcefullpower4331d ago

Ps3 has had dedicated servers for most of their games for the last 7 years. What rock have you been hiding under.

HugoDrax4331d ago (Edited 4331d ago )

@Forcefullpower

"Ps3 has had dedicated servers for most of their games for the last 7 years."

Oh really? So please explain to me why I can no longer play MAG or SOCOM on my PS3 come Jan 2014?

Potato24331d ago

And the xbox one line up is so amazing?

karl4331d ago

thats funny coming from a fan of a third party exclusives console...

xbox one has no games m8

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 4331d ago
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160°

Ex-dev leader Chris Barrett accuses Sony/Bungie of firing him to avoid a $45M payment

Chris Barrett was one of the prominent developers who was fired a few years ago during the Me Too scandals that hit the game industry.

Read Full Story >>
venturebeat.com
200d ago
gold_drake199d ago

girl, 8 women reported you.

thats how that works. u wrre not "entitled" to anything.

shouldnt have been a creep.

DarXyde199d ago

"While that sounds despicable, Barrett was accused of crossing the line between professional and personal behavior. In the course of its journalistic investigation of the Me Too scandal, Bloomberg interviewed eight people, including multiple women who reported Barrett, as well as other Bungie employees who were either involved in the investigation or spoke to the women involved."

Yeah, sounds like you did it, dawg.

jznrpg199d ago

I’d avoid paying you 45$ mil with all those problems you brought

gold_drake199d ago

thats what i thought too haha

pwnmaster3000199d ago

On who.
8 girls reported him.
He is trying to save by putting blame on something else other then the situation he put himself in

Show all comments (11)
160°

Here's how PlayStation's 30th anniversary London Tube carriage looks

PlayStation is celebrating its upcoming 30th Anniversary by letting you sit on its logo while riding the Victoria Line in London.

Read Full Story >>
eurogamer.net
216d ago Replies(1)
MaximusPrime_216d ago

Reminds me of Sony's other awesome PS promotion in London, such as OXO tower and London underground roundels. All with shapes replaced with PlayStation's iconic 4 controller shapes.

Awesome promotion, Sony!

214d ago
216d ago Replies(1)
goken216d ago

Awww… i wanna ride that train!

Die hard Xbox fans be like “I’ll catch the next one”

216d ago Replies(1)
215d ago
500°

Kadokawa Confirms Interest From Sony in Official Statement

Kadokawa has confirmed interest from Sony in an official statement, clarifying that nothing has been decided yet.

Read Full Story >>
animecorner.me
lukasmain222d ago

Lock it down Sony and lets get Bloodborne 2 and Demon's Souls 2 cooking.

222d ago Replies(3)
Miraak82 222d ago (Edited 222d ago )

I'd rather FS work on ER2 or new Ips that they can actually own just incase they ever break away from Sony if this happens, wouldn't want them to become just Sony ponies for their neglected IPs . On the upside of this though I wouldn't mind having an actually Sony 1st party rpg developer which I feel they're lacking . My feeling are mixed on this without even considering the monopoly they would have on the anime/manga side of things

oldenjon221d ago

Seeing as ER is essentially open world dark souls, do we really need ER2 / ds5 so soon?

DarXyde222d ago

Can't they just be contracted by Sony?

Without the acquisition?

goken222d ago

They can be contracted but… it’s like you can call up a girl/guy/others and hook up now and then, then one day you think to yourself “maybe we should go steady” 😛

GamingSinceForever222d ago

You’re focused on a small portion of the deal. Kadokawa is a large media company which is who Sony is after. FromSoftware is only a portion of the deal.

Asterphoenix221d ago

Well the bigger picture is the novel/manga part of the industry of Kadokawa and Sony owning a good portion of the anime companies in the US . Well Sony would contract them again if they could but From Software is too busy doing its own thing.

CrimsonWing69221d ago

Yea ever since Tango Gameworks got dissolved, I’m not exactly gung-ho on acquisitions.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 221d ago
neutralgamer1992222d ago

These things never used to leak. Now so much stuff leaks ahead of time

Lionsguard221d ago

Leak? It has to be public information, they're both public companies.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 221d ago
gold_drake222d ago

currently, the kodakawa enterprise is worth a wooping 4 billion dollars. according to google. might be wrong

222d ago
jznrpg222d ago

If/when Sony acquires Kadokawa I hope it means that anime games can start to be a lot more than they are now. The stories are fleshed out they just need to add quality gameplay/environments. It makes financial sense to me since you have anime fans and gamers who would buy these games if they are high quality.

maniacmayhem222d ago

Is Sony trying to be a monopoly and keep games out of the hands of gamers? Or is this different?

jznrpg222d ago

So MS should only be allowed to acquire publishers and Sony should sit there? This is a consequence of MS’s actions. This is why we didn’t want ABK to go through. It’s too late to complain now

maniacmayhem222d ago

Are we going to accuse Sony of the same actions then?

You really believe if ABK didn't go through Sony wouldn't be interested in this company now?

Bless your tender heart

thesoftware730222d ago

That is besides the point, there is stance you took against this type of acquisition/monopoly type situations.

It's about you word and your stance..with the it's ok posture you are taking now shows you only find outrage when it fits your nonsensical fanboy, console warrior BS lol

Your word and "Stances" means very lit

glennhkboy221d ago

The nature is different. Kadokawa is more renounce for their extensive rights in Japanese literature, films & amine. Gaming is actually their least known business. If Sony can take over Kadokawa, Sony will become a major media player in Japan (currently Sony Japan has only a small footprint in Japanese media outside of gaming & amine).

Drakul221d ago

You can play MS games on your PS or PC. But Sony has monopoly mind set; release Sony games only on PS or very rarely on PC.

Lexreborn2221d ago

Anyone who is trying to make someone look like a hypocrite after THEY set the standard is a turd. If you want to try and make it seem like you convinced people into agreeing with your view. You didn’t, the people that were against it STATED they were against it. Then when we were told shut up doesn’t matter what you think NOW you want us to continue to fight when it goes against YOUR interest someone you don’t like is playing by YOUR rules?

Naw, we good… enjoy the game you playing and don’t get mad when the company/entity you hate does it better.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 221d ago
222d ago Replies(3)
-Foxtrot222d ago

I thought it was more “you guys allowed MS to buy Zenimax and Activision, two massive publishers so it’s fair game now, why should we be left out”

I hate it but you can’t allow one to do it then make out it’s the end of the world when others do it. It’s shitty but MS opened that avenue so all bets are off now.

maniacmayhem222d ago

So basically it's okay to do it because MS did it, right? I think this is what is known as hypocrisy.

Here's the thing, MS is basically putting all their games on everything and the kitchen sink when you and others claimed they wouldn't.

You actually believe Sony will do the same if they acquire this studio?

You all love to shit on MS when these deals go down but then make up excuses and rights of passage when Sony does it, and this is proof.

goken222d ago

@maniacmayhem

Believe me MS is putting it everywhere not because they want to, but because it doesn’t sell (well) on their own platform (xbox). If they did that, they would lose money, nevermind recuperate their the money they spent buying studios.
Sony on the other hand may or may not have the same problem (probably not).
Hey sony and fans weren’t the ones going “exclusive bad” , they just disagreed MS buying these massive publishers. And since MS did it, let’s just say “to not reciprocate is impolite “

LikAChicken221d ago

@goken @foxtrot

Sooooo...hypocrites...

"hypocrisy is the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's behavior does not conform; pretense."

There's no way you guys believe that Sony wouldn't do this deal before Microsoft bought ActiBlizz. That's not how capitalistic/business industries think.

Vits222d ago (Edited 222d ago )

No, Sony is trying to establish a monopoly on anime streaming, manga, and light novel publication in the Western market while also becoming the largest company in this segment in Japan, replacing Kadokawa in the current triopoly (Kodansha, Hitotsubashi, and Kadokawa).

It’s a completely different ballpark from what Microsoft did. To put it into perspective, even if Microsoft had acquired Zenimax, ABK, EA, Tencent, Take-Two, and Embracer, it still wouldn’t come close to the level of control Sony would achieve in both the Western and Eastern anime/manga markets if they successfully make this purchase.

The closest comparison would be if Disney managed to swallow up both Comcast and Viacom, or if Microsoft had acquired both Sony PlayStation and Nintendo, establishing a monopoly in the console market. That is the level of control we are talking here.

Extermin8or3_221d ago

Except the FTC etc already ruled that anime isn't an industry in its own right. It's a sub genre of a much larger entertainment industry.

Vits221d ago

@Extermin8or3_

Exactly! That’s why this is such a massive problem. The only obstacle between Sony and a full-blown monopoly is how much cash they’re willing to throw around. They’re on track to dominate every anime streaming platform, corner the Western manga market, and seize control of light novel publications. On top of that, they’d cement their place in the tripoly that dictates the flow of source material.

And let’s not pretend Sony’s track record in this “non-industry” inspires confidence. They’ve gutted streaming catalogs, enforced censorship at every turn, and, naturally, hiked up prices for good measure. A monopoly like this is a recipe for disaster even more when a bunch of old-stupid americans don't even get that it is a industry, 3 industries at that.

mkis007222d ago

This is for anime...they have 1 developer people like. Sony for sure has a borderline anime monopoly if this goes through.

VersusDMC222d ago

And the dbz sparking zero developer to be fair.

glennhkboy221d ago

Not exactly.... In terms of Japanese anime, Kadokawa isn't the largest one. Others like Bandi Namco & Sunrise are bigger than Kadokawa. On the other hand, Kadokawa has a very big catalog of Japanese films, like Haven & Earth. Combine this with Sony Film from Hollywood, Sony may have enough films & TV shows (US & Japanese) to start its own steaming service.

Outside_ofthe_Box222d ago

Monopoly, no, as this is nowhere near the size of Bethesda + Activision, but games out of gamers hands, yes. They will mostly likely make their games exclusive when acquired. MS going multiplat ain't out of the kindness of their hearts, but of a necessity from a business perspective.

Also it's not that this is okay because MS did it. This is more of a consequence of allowing MS deal to go through. Should this deal go through? No it shouldn't, but MS literally just bought two publishers. It would be like complaining about Nintendo charging for online when MS and Sony have already been doing it already.

222d ago
CrashMania222d ago (Edited 222d ago )

'Or is this different?'

MS spending a whopping 75 billion to acquire dozens of studios and IPs compared to Sony potentially grabbing a handful for a fraction of that price, I'd say so yeah.

We all know what Phil wanted to do with those IPs, but it turns out spending that much money along with plummeting console sales, stagnant gamepass numbers didn't bode well for making everything in exclusive, so it's going the opposite way almost completely now.

porkChop222d ago

I'm not worried about the gaming side of things. But in terms of anime this isn't good. Sony bought out and merged Crunchyroll and Funimation, and they own a bunch of other anime studios. They already own so much of that industry it doesn't make any sense to allow them to swallow up even more.

mkis007222d ago

With how ms was able to purchase acti and bethesda, there is no prayer for this to be blocked. The precedent has been set. Also incoming Republican govt means even MS may be able to do more.

Extermin8or3_221d ago

Anime isn't considered it's own industry. Regulators already ruled awhile ago now that anime was merely a genre within the wider movie/TV series industry.

porkChop221d ago

@mkis

Even with ABK and Bethesda, MS is still a small fraction of the industry. The game industry is massive, no one is remotely close to having a monopoly. This is different. Sony literally bought both of the largest anime platforms and merged them together, on top of buying a bunch of separate anime studios. They'd have a very clear monopoly if they add Kadokawa on top of that. I'm not sure Kadokawa has any reason to sell, and I don't think it would get blocked if they did buy them out. I just don't think it's good for anime.

SoloZelot90222d ago

I think they're interested in kadokawa and are also interested in continuing the partnership that started with demons souls...that game that brought from software to fame.

anast222d ago

It's different. Hypocrisy is not a sin.

goken221d ago

To be a hypocrite is to give others the impression that we are holier than we actually are. It is the same as being false, or telling a lie. Jesus pronounced a curse on hypocrites seven times in Mt. 23:13-29.

gold_drake221d ago

i think the big difference, imo, is that Activision was just soo massive of a publisher/dev team. they had alot of really good, really big franchises that would have absolutely changed the gaming space if they would have stayed exclusive to MS.

i looked into Kadokawas franchises, and while they have good stuff, its not comparable to actlivision in the slightest.

aquistions only suck if people are being layed off in the masses. and thats what happened with Activision unfortunatly. well see what happens with this one.

Lionsguard221d ago

This is why we the MS acquisitions were frowned upon on the first place because it just starts this tit for tat buying war that benefits no one.

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