Xbox is ‘shifting focus’ away from studio acquisitions

Xbox is “shifting focus” from studio acquisitions to a new phase of “execution and delivery,” its studios boss said at X019 on Thursday.

[mrmikew2018]

It’s definitely the time for them to show and prove

[CaptainHenry916]

I'm looking forward to it. Hopefully it works out for them

[kythlyn]

I think today's show was a good start. As someone who skipped Xbox this gen, today is the first day in years I've actually been optimistic for the brand.

[Kingthrash360]

Good start?
😂😂
I remember the day they showed off scalebound and people said the same thing...this isnt a start this is a common thing...you see, you get optimistic, it launches, you get disappointed...and repeat.
I hope this game will be good, but this isnt a start, it's just MS being MS

[ThinkThink]

@KingThrash,

If you can look at MS from 2001, 2013 and 2019 and NOT see a massive difference in improvement, I'm afraid nothing MS could do would ever satisfy you. Thank god for Sony, right?

[AngelicIceDiamond]

Essentially. MS has more than enough studios now its time to let the bakers bake.

[Muzikguy]

They're making moves to make the next generation interesting that's for sure

[isarai]

I mean they have enough, now it's just about building them into something great.

[headshotfrosty]

100 percent agreed

[Spurg]

I wish they acquired Asobo studios. But the focus is now on the studios and building them up. INxile, Obsidian, Ninja Theory, and the Initiative have grown bigger since they were acquired.

[nibblo]

Yes, especially with the success of Plague Tale and the fact that they are developing Flight Simulator. Maybe in the future if FS is well received.

[Sm00thNinja]

Does this mean they are done acquiring studios

[Ausbo]

They said they are always looking. I think they are telling us not to expect them anymore

[darthv72]

they are done for now but will announce more when the time comes.

[kythlyn]

They are M$, they will never stop acquiring, no matter what they say.

[Sm00thNinja]

I mean how is that bad for Xbox fans lol

[King_Noctis]

I don’t think so. They had just opened a new studio to put in charge of the Age of Empire franchise.

[Sm00thNinja]

I'd like to see a big name acquisition still. I remember that crazy rumor they were going after EA! Hell even buying Bungie back would be massive. Not to do Halo, 343 has filled in admirably despite a rocky start

[LOGICWINS]

I just want ONE exclusive turn-based JRPG that's optimized for Scarlett....just one. Show JRPG fans some love Microsoft!

[-Foxtrot]

Lost Odyssey II

* hums ‘What You Are’ *

[LOGICWINS]

Give me a Lost Odyssey remake or Lost Odyssey II....and I buy Scarlett. It's that simple.

[BlackIceJoe]

I know it will never happen, but man would it be huge news if Microsoft bought Mistwalker and Level 5.

Just imagining what they could Do for the Xbox brand in Japan would be phenomenal.

[OneLove]

Well no shiz. A kid couldve guessed that. No business would just keep on buying.

[TheColbertinator]

Already? I was hoping for a JRPG studio too

[LOGICWINS]

Phil mentioned how proud he was of getting Yakuza and Kingdom Hearts during the conference. Keep in mind that they MAY have acquired Japanese studios but are saving that bomb for E3 2020.

[xX-oldboy-Xx]

Wait for next year's E3 - you guys are the best, so resilient and positive.

The sort customers a company that constantly under delivers needs.

[King_Noctis]

@oldboy

At least MS had a fanfest show this year and they announced new games. You’re still waiting for Sony to announce PSX 2019 right?

[Ceaser9857361]

Anyways good for those who loved XO19.

Personally i liked everwild but rest all Gamepass fillers. That's what MS does now. Buy studios and fill up their service for more subscribers.

[sbprost]

As a PS and PC fan, I sincerely hope Xbox does well moving forward. Competition is the best thing for the games industry. Everyone wins.

[Sophisticated_Chap]

I'm sure if a Studio like Remedy would become available, they would make another acquisition, but they really do have a good number of descent studios now. Also, I think that most of the good studios on the small to medium sizes have already been acquired. My guess, is that we will see acquisitions on a much larger scale next time around, like an EA or Ubisoft, and not necessarily with Microsoft making these moves. Google, Apple and Amazon are also in the mix of potential buyers.

[rainslacker]

Buying a big publisher for the sake of building the platform brand doesn't make sense. If they do that, then they instantly devalue the company that they brought, unless they keep making multi-platform games, in which case, if they have to do that, then what's the point in buying the studio to build the platform?

There are cheaper ways to make quality games, or set up studios without having to buy them all. Now that they have a good selection of studios, they can build those into better studios, or make new studios, one of which they're already doing.

[Automatic79]

I said this in a post a few days ago. X019 was a fantastic show. The amount of games coming is insane. This is the beginning Phil and Matt said they have more to show before year is over.

Upcoming Xbox Games Studios w/ dates

Age of Empire 2 - November 14, 2019

Sea of Thieves DLC-
The Seabound Soul
Nov. 20 2019

Halo Reach Remastered- December 3, 2019

Ori 2 - February 14, 2020

Bleeding Edge- March 24, 2020

Minecraft Dungeons - April 2020

Wasteland 3- May 19, 2020

2020

New IP's

EverWild- RARE
Grounded-Obsidian
Tell Me Why -
Xbox Publishing Studios

Announced IP's 2020

Gears Tactics
Age of Empires 4
BattleToads
Flight Simulator
Cross Fire X
Psychonauts 2
Halo Infinite
Forza Horizon 5

[Edito]

It's always the same with Xbox... Always looking into the future while life passes by playing other things on other platforms... They just need to release games fast instead of talk talk talk...

[kwijgaming]

This is like someone who just ate an 8-course meal saying "I'm shifting focus away from food"

[rainslacker]

I like to ask, "where's my desert?"

[UnholyLight]

I love the way that sounds, now it's just down to execution. We will see what the future brings.