Xbox remains open to further acquisitions as it ‘strives to be a major player’

Microsoft wants to continue growing Xbox content, whether organically or though M&A

[darthv72]

While i commend their desire to grow... I feel the money would be better spent on finishing the games that their current studios have trouble completing in a timely manner.

[Christopher]

I don't think that's their highest priority. I think they have a goal on how to start the next "generation" and they need a certain level of market control, not on-time games.

[LOGICWINS]

☝️

[LOGICWINS]

@vxhyuahcsgzzdlxzum It wouldn't benefit Microsoft to attempt to control 100% of gaming since that would make them an easy target for anti-compete proponents and regulators.

I'm sure part of the reason MS chose to keep COD on Playstation is to ensure that Sony continues to be the market leader so that the spotlight is always on them when it comes to these "monopoly" conversations.

[VenomUK]

Microsoft has repeatedly said statements that mean opposing things. First it said that it would keep Call of Duty on PlayStation. Last week we learnt it told Sony this would be for just three more years beyond its promotional partnership for the franchise. Now Xbox in a PR statement and not in a legal capacity has said VGC: “In its response to the CMA’s announcement, Xbox said “it makes zero business sense for Microsoft to remove Call of Duty from PlayStation given its market leading console position.””

[Noskypeno]

There was a time when Spiderman wasn't a Sony property.

[Sharky231]

If they own everything then the future doesn’t look too good. I don’t want one group to own everything.

[S2Killinit]

That has always been my issue with MS, they are not about making games and competing. They want to dominate by purely corporate means. They are eating up the industry not becaise they need more studios to maximize game production, they want more studios so they can keep the games off other platforms.

[kayoss]

That’s the problem. They keep making promises that they never keep. All these acquisitions but yet we haven’t seen or heard anything.

[Christopher]

***There was a time when Spiderman wasn't a Sony property.***

Sony doesn't own Spider-man. They just have a license agreement for its use in film and the few games they make. Spider-man, for example, is in the upcoming Midnight Suns game, not made or in any way published by Sony.

This is, IMHO, the best way to control IP. License them out to many parties who can make good games with them.

[sparky77]

I am pretty sure they are doing both, the money MS spends on purchases isn't the same money used for funding game development.

[darthv72]

given the current track record for releases... I'd say otherwise. all of their projects that have yet to be released need as much help in getting finished as they can. buying up other studios doesn't solve that problem, it only adds more that they would need to manage instead of managing what they have.

[Christopher]

Yeah, that's why they're being reviewed right now, btw. Because it's not Xbox profits being used to buy things, but Big Microsoft buying out the competition. And, if you don't think that affects Xbox studios, you're heavily misguided. Just look at their recent plans to not deliver on Halo features they said they would deliver on. They've got the money to make it happen, but they can't even compete with No Man's Sky in delivering on missed promises.

[ABizzel1]

Unfortunately, I agree with Darth on this. Most of the studios they bought for Xbox have underwhelmed or still don't have release dates for their games. Meanwhile, they're primarily surviving off of GamePass and the Publishers they purchased.

From a games perspective, this is been a subpar start for Xbox, and possibly their worst (which is saying a lot) and mainly because Launch and 2022 have have been poor for Series.

It's like MS said let's just launch the 2 consoles, one with really good specs, one at a budget cost, and then survive on GamePass for the entire generation, while we buy publishers, and try to take the gaming crown in 2028 when Xbox 5 launches and we own Bethesda, Activision, and possibly EA / Ubisoft / etc...

[Jin_Sakai]

Like Phil said, Tencent are already the worlds largest gaming company. It’s either sit back and let them aggressively take over the gaming industry of continue being a major player yourself.

[Christopher]

Incomparable. Tencent only owns 100% in fewer studios than Microsoft or Sony. But they own stakes in a ton of video game studios and that's why they are seen as bigger, not because they own more games, make more money, or the like. They just spread their money out far and wide for stakeholder investment.

Furthermore, Phil saying that isn't forgiving their position, they're setting the goalpost for them and that's Tencent. Let alone with Bethesda and Activision/Blizzard, they then own the most profitable third-party IP, way more valuable than all of Tencent's 100% owned Western companies.

Furthermore, Tencent doesn't own hardware. Microsoft does. That means they're leveraging new software purchases to push out other hardware companies. That's the issue here. If Microsoft went 100% software, this issue wouldn't exist. But it does so the issue is of concern.

[GamingSinceForever]

Apparently money isn’t the issue with MS and their studios.

[crazyCoconuts]

Scary that I'm agreeing with you more and more Darth. I think this massive increase in size is really something MS has to adjust to and make sure they apply the appropriate amount of oversight to. Stabilize the org and improve it before jumping in with another acquisition...

[darthv72]

I'm not a bad person, I just have opinions that jive with different people from time to time. We may not always agree but there is bound to be some that we do.

[crazyCoconuts]

I know, I'm just enjoying the synergy of our ideology for this rare moment in time 😉

[Godmars290]

Would be better spent establishing a basic/stable foundation for current studios you mean.

As is they're just adding to the piles of waste and stagnation.

[darthv72]

That's another way of putting it.

Why add more place settings at the table when they can't even get the food out to those who have been waiting with empty plates?

[neutralgamer1992]

That statement means they are done. Whatever they say usually means opposite and they best hope UK and EU approve their Activision acquisition because Sony as a brand is a major player in EU

Personally speaking this acquisition shouldn't be approved unless Ms can give in writing that most of these big franchises will not be exclusive. BTW this is coming from a Xbox fan. Long term I hate the fact acquiring publishers is considered normal

Right now Xbox side might be happy but if this means Sony will buy square Capcom or Sega and make those games exclusives does that really mean more choices for gamers or less

Sadly if Activision acquisition is approved we best believe sony will invest 15-20 billion more and they have the inside track to acquire Japanese publishers anyway

As gamers we want to buy the platform of our choice and get equal support from these 3rd party publishers

[Anghellic]

Sony delayed horizon and god like 3 times 😆

[Godmars290]

How's Halo infinite again?

[jznrpg]

And they released games at launch and games after that one time . Covid affected them too but what’s MS excuse now ? It’s not covid it’s not money and it’s not studios . It’s that they don’t care about this gen at all and are looking to get as many 3rd party games off PlayStation for the future . That is their only goal right now take away from PS as much as they can instead of making good games now with their limitless money we always hear about .

[Lifexline]

Are people not smart enough to realize as each generation comes games take longer to make. Microsoft’s problem is revealing their games too early when they are still a few years off. They will be fine they have an abundance of games coming out in the next couple of years almost too many.

But it makes sense they obviously have ambitions to be the biggest player in gaming and currently they are not I believe that is what they mean by becoming a major player.

[Godmars290]

MS's problem is that they're putting the cart before the cart.

And no, didn't et the old saying "putting the cart before the horse" wrong, its just that they are that inept when it comes to making games.

no one can argue that they're great with online infrastructure, that they created online for consoles, thing is that's all they've ever really been focused on: games for the servicing of that infrastructure.

[onisama]

Studios actually doing well its just that games now take 4 to 6 years, but the initiative and 343 are having issues but money won't solve it because they are already large and highly paid... Their is something wrong but they won't point it out

[strifeblade]

Actually probably not. You need talent. Not money. I would recommend they keep acquiring studios

[hiawa23]

I leave it to them as to how to run their company, but something tells me they are doing both and more. Why do you think they are not?

[sparky77]

They should go for SE, Capcom or Sega next and call it a day for publisher purchases and just focus on smaller independent studios.

On a side note it's hilarious how Phil acts like Xbox isn't a major player, they really want to be seen as the little guy so they can keep acquiring.

[Crows90]

Yeah. That's their BS shining thru their teeth.

Is Bethesda a major publisher? Is ea Activision? If yes then obviously so is Microsoft .

[TriniOutsider]

Those companies are doing just fine and I doubt they would sell. Capcom right now alone is on fire. I would rather those three stay 3rd party and continue releasing games on all platforms.

[shinoff2183]

Naw. They need to chill. Let sony buy something. They just bought 2 publishers. Its kind of annoying. Atleast sony buying studios(not publishers) they typically bought obes that made games only on playstation to begin with

[porkChop]

They don't need to buy any more publishers. All they're really missing is some Japanese teams. They currently have one but that's not enough. I still don't know why they haven't approached Mistwalker, which is Hawaii. They're off doing mobile crap. Get Sakaguchi back making epic RPGs.

[darthv72]

Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey sequels are long overdue.

[ChiefofLoliPolice]

Man no dude. We don't need companies buying up mega publishers. That's the last thing gaming needs. And thanks to MS and Tencent for getting that ball rolling.

[jznrpg]

More MS than anyone . Ten cent has mostly bought small stakes not entire publishers . MS is crap for gaming and we most of us know it

[stonecold3]

not allowed to own any japanese company in japan because restriction laws they can build small studio there

[MadLad]

I've been calling an official acquisition of Sega for a while now.
They've been close company brethren since even before the original Xbox.

Now we have Microsoft officially stating they're going to start making a point to cater to the Japanese market again.

[KillBill]

Phil does not act like they aren't a major player. They simply identify the point of which they are playing from compared to other "major players". As for being "the little guy"... in terms of the the game industry they are as is well reminded by all the Sony followers, not in their league. Are they looking at changing that? For sure, but not the same way Sony or others in the market are trying to keep their lead. They have long term goals that have a wider outlook that gets them in a position to move beyond simply the current market as it is seen. Buckle up kids... the ride is going to get bumpy.

[XiNatsuDragnel]

So imo you should focus on building studios rather than purchase it

[Crows90]

When has Microsoft ever built a studio or new IP? In the last 10 years?

[darthv72]

the initiative in 2018 comes to mind. i know i know... they havent released anything yet. But you asked and i answered

[RedDevils]

^wrong answer that is.

[Iberius]

If you do the math, Microsoft could create 152 new AAA $500,000,000 games with the amount of money they are spending to purchase both Bethesda and Activision Blizzard. That's what annoys me more than anything. Think of all the successful endeavors they could pursue. But nope, gotta get COD in perpetuity for Gamepass.

[VersusDMC]

They are not buying Activision to put their games on gamepass. They are buying them to get them off playstation.

When the current Sony contract with Activision ends Microsoft can throw a ton of money at Activision to put all COD games on gamepass day 1. They did it with MLB, Outriders,Plague Tale 2,etc...

[onisama]

the problem is there is a limited talent in the industry yes they can create many studios but you need lot of time and downs to get them to make major games ....from a business point activision will never be cheaper to buy microsoft is taking adventage of the issues happening inside the company to get it with a steal price....what the benifit for xbox? 1 billion from yearly sales + microtransaction money also they get to be "the best place to play COD'' and market their console with the biggest game frenshise ever ....remember that 70& of players that only play sport games and COD

[darkrider]

Monopoly. Nothing more. Anybody with half a brain already understand their plan. And the history of Microsoft is well known. The lack of preparation for this Gen from Microsoft is unbelievable. Still remember the pr talk of a new game every 3 months...

[Fishy Fingers]

Not quite, far from it infact, theyre 3rd in share after Tencent and Sony. Neither of which having larger than 20% market share. Wheres the monopoly there?

Compared to PC OS for example where MS have 75%, thats an actual monopoly.

[darkrider]

Yeah, but do you think they are stopping. They are just waiting for this huge deal to get approved. Money isn't the problem. Before you know it....

[Crows90]

It's a monopoly in gaming development. There aren't many other well known and established 3rd party publishers after purchasing all of zenimax and if the deal goes through all of EA activision.

Microsoft now has more dev teams than Sony....so yeah

[HardKnockKid24]

Lol you guys are so hurt it’s hilarious. After this I won’t even come here to post anymore just come here to laugh at y’all complaining about something you absolutely can’t stop. When y’all start saying MS has a monopoly because they have more dev teams that Sony you clearly have either lost or never had the ability to even SLIGHTLY think critically. Just do a quick dictionary search for the word monopoly before continuing this idiocy

[ApocalypseShadow]

Dark, I've been saying this for years with a whole brain. Lol. Over and over.

The Xbox platform isn't making money to grow the platform,. Microsoft proper decided to buy their market share by force by buying publishers that made more money on PlayStation. And they know this.

Instead of growing their developers and growing their games organically, they plan to force compliance to them changing the industry to subscriptions and services. We know they have billions to make their games better. They don't want that. They want full control of the market to change what they can't beat Sony on. Single player makes money. But Microsoft wants connection to Internet 24 /7. Which means services and subscriptions to play.

Fishy said they're third. But if they become second, who does he think they'll go after next for full control? It's like they don't have glasses on. Tencent and Embracer are multiplatform companies. Microsoft is forcing exclusive to theirs and game pass.

Some of these guys have delusions. Embrace Extend Extinguish. Like I've been always saying. Knowing it was their plans years ago

[Fishy Fingers]

LOL... "full control", so dramatic. Second doesnt make a molopoly. Nor does first. That was purely all I was saying.

[Jericho1337]

Don’t know if you’re actually trying to orchestrate a conspiracy theory or simply having a meltdown, but either way I’m here for it,

[ApocalypseShadow]

Microsoft tried to play fair with the original Xbox. The traditional way of competition. But more power wasn't enough without games backing it up. So, they jumped out there with 360. But found jumping the gun with a busted system isn't a good idea. And again, it was the games that allowed Sony to catch Microsoft with PS3.

A lot of analysts thought Sony was going to lose against Xbox one. Sony showed that games matter and destroyed Microsoft in every way that Microsoft couldn't even report traditional numbers for games or hardware.

Microsoft proper are like, if we can beat them, buy out the games that support PlayStation beyond first party. Fishy, if they end up owning all major third party publishers, what do you think will happen to the market? It will sway towards Microsoft's intentions. And those intentions are, digital games connected to online with a subscription service connected for annual revenue. Single player games aren't connected to Internet. Physical isn't either. If Microsoft were confident in their own studios and games, they would have no reason to buy up publishers. Their intent is to change the market and control it. Not beat Sony through fair competition. But they have billions to spend making that happen. They could make their games better with 70 billion. Any excuses on why most of their games under perform when they have the money and resources are excuses. Buying up publishers doesn't make their own games better. It just takes away from the competition.

[Lightning77]

"Instead of growing their developers and growing their games organically, they plan to force compliance to them changing the industry to subscriptions and services."

Again with all this "Organically" BS. What do you call Sony buying Bungie for their Live service expertise MP infrastructure? How come Sony can't just train its devs in making live service games or making Multiplayer games? I'm sure you have an excuse for that.

[DOMination-]

When was the last time Sony built a studio? PS2 era wasn't it?

[HardKnockKid24]

@lightning and DOM, they don’t really operate in logic. They WIKI Xbox and come here without researching their lord and savior Sony and end up looking like hypocrites, OH just like Sony! Sony does everything that MS does and worse. $70 games, price hikes on 2 year old consoles, upgrade fees. How are these things alright?? TLOU remake at $70??? Are you serious? Most of the game is the SAME game. The production costs do not justify $70. There’s some real serious Stockholm syndrome amongst these folks.

[SPEAKxTHExTRUTH]

MS needs to actually release AAA games in a timely manner with the studio’s they currently have before buying additional studios. It’s ridiculous that the Series X has been out roughly two years yet not a single AAA next gen game has been released.

[northpaws]

AAA games will be released in a timely manner when they own 100% of the industry, that's their strategy.

[onisama]

wait so halo infinite forza horizon 5 psychornaut 2 arent AAA games?

[Crows90]

He said triple A next gen games. So no.

But on your point...halo infinite is a live service game, psychonauts 2 is multiplatform and on last gen same with Forza. Psychonauts 2 isn't really a triple A. I'm not saying it's bad or worse for it...budgets don't make a game good.

[purple101]

Wait indeed. Psychonaughts 2 is on Playstation 4 to and steam for PC.

Just because it's on gamepass it's not exclusive to Microsoft.

So yeh, just Forza. & Halo.

[HardKnockKid24]

@onisama, they can release 40 AAA games in 40 days and they will find a way to disqualify every single one of them. When their favorite game is reviewed anywhere below a 9, the reviewer is insane. It’s impossible for different people to like different things. AAA is what THEY say is AAA. Bonkers logic, don’t argue with these folks

[mkis007]

If activision goes through they wont be get any other big pubs. I mean there is already pushback as it is.

[Iberius]

Never underestimate the power Microsoft lawyers.

[Orchard]

There also won't be many big pubs remaining to acquire either... just EA I guess.

[Mr_cheese]

This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. Microsoft have the cash flow to be notoriously aggressive with acquisitions for good or bad. If you can't beat them, buy them.

One thing is certain, the gaming landscape is changing at a fast pace. I just hope that competition still thrives.

[BlackTar187]

All Microsoft cares about is buying the market and turning the average experience into a watered down cash grab. The Xbox really hasn’t had a solid year in game releases since Xbox 360 first half.

[Lightning77]

Didn't know Starfield, Redfall, hellblade 2 were watered down games. Here I thought those 3 were AAA games.

[BlackTar187]

Those games are out?

[Lightning77]

Are they watered down gamepass games?

Of course those games aren't out, what point are you trying to make? You said all MS does make watered down experiences. Then I list games that are full AAA games. There's nothing to argue here.

[DOMination-]

Not to mention that Forza Horizon 5 is out with monthly free updates, MSFS is out has very regular world updates which are all free plus DLC which is free. Halo I don't follow or play but I assume it has regular(?) free updates. Then you have games like As Dusk Falls... Age of Empires 4...

With other games coming such as Perfect Dark, Avowed, Fable, Outer Worlds 2, Forza Motorsport, Everwild..

We know enough of these projects to know they aren't "watered down". There's no evidence whatsoever. That Xbox pipeline is filled with RPGs or single player narrative-driven games. Meanwhile, Sony have a bunch of VR shovelware and "12 live service games" in theirs.

Yes I understand that ONE game - Halo Infinite has missing features and broken promises which is the ONLY thing you can use as evidence. But this isn't because MS has a policy of instructing their devs to water down their games. It's because the developer is crap.

[Orchard]

There’s a certain irony to calling those games cash grabs when TLOU has just been remastered for the 2nd time, 3rd full price release in under a decade.

[BlackTar187]

Lightning I don’t think your comprehension is up to the task with that response. I stated all they care about is buying the market and turning it into a watered down average. They don’t own the market yet do they? I’m telling you their goal and deep down you know I’m right because every single thing they do business in is the exact same consumer model.

Orchard- read my last couple comment history that I get reported for. They all call Tlou a money grab so I’m consistent. I just call it like I see it.

[Lightning77]

"I stated all they care about is buying the market and turning it into a watered down average. They don’t own the market yet do they?"

You're not making sense. You think they're gonna buy everything and make it a watered down experience? Show me the proof they're doing that right now?

There is no being right deep down unless you have proof. I listed games that aren't watered down experiences. You can't make a list if watered down games. Especially when you factor in a crap ton of 3rd party games that are coming to gamepass.

You're making stuff up.

[gold_drake]

they should be focusing on their own franchises and not buying out others.

this monopoly game they've started aint good for us at all. im sick and tired of him talking like hes got it all together. phil personally is the biggest bullshitter in the industry.

[HardKnockKid24]

When they focus on their own franchises y’all say
“All Xbox has is Forza, Halo and Gears”
You guys will give Xbox a hard time all the live long day about not investing in more games and when they do they are automatically the devil. Just be honest, you guys want Xbox to remove themselves from the industry completely. Good luck with your $90 PS Exclusives after that

[AnotherGamer]

First, use your money to make better games first dude.

[SimpleSlave]

"strives to be a major player"

I'm glad that an indie publishing house like MicroSawft is gaining such a modicum of positive momentum. Soon they'll be able to share their small, pretty unknown and wonderful IPs with the whole wide world. They'll gain a dedicated following for sure. I'm positive on it. This is one more for the good guys!

Huzzah!!! or whatever and stuff...

[PhillyDillyDee]

How about putting a different studio in charge of halo for a start.

[Orchard]

I would love to see the Doom team make a Halo game.

[LoveSpuds]

I'd love to see MS move on from rinsing the Halo brand. Give it a chuffing rest and try creating some new IP.

[Orchard]

Why not both? Let ID software make a Halo entry and have some of the many Xbox, Zenimax and Activision studios make new IPs.

[PapaBop]

I don't see them truly becoming a major player until they start making GOTY contenders. That has and will be the major difference between them and Sony. When was the last time MS created something that was on par with the likes of TLOU or GoW? That seems to be the big hurdle and honestly, MS doesn't seem any closer to conquering it.

[ApocalypseShadow]

They don't want to make those. It's why they downplayed Sony's single player games and was doing double speak that they liked them. Because they wouldn't be connected to XBL as a reoccurring payment.

Every game Microsoft wants on their platform is to create a reoccurring payment through multiplayer and online. That's why they started out with pushing XBL when online was free with PS3. That's why they were against physical and Blu-ray as they want and still want digital. Then, they raised the price of XBL. Then, they created game pass. But you can't play online with game pass without XBL. And we saw how they tried to raise the price of XBL to force their fan base to move over to game pass knowing they would still need XBL to play. Now, it would be two payments. PS Now had free online for playing online through the subscription. Microsoft before, forced gamers to have XBL to play F2P games until they were caught raising the price of XBL. Free games requiring a payment.

That's Microsoft. Just like Windows and Azure, they want payments from consumers and payments from developers and publishers. So, they can just sit back collecting checks. Microsoft has billions to make those games. They are worth 2 TRILLION. They don't really want single player games unless they can continue making them money. Like with game pass.

[moriarty1889]

Spot on assessment. Well said indeed.

[HardKnockKid24]

BS, perfect dark, Hellblade 2, appear to be games in this vein. Plus what we don’t know to be announced yet. You speak with a lot of certainty, I hope that your comments age well

[moriarty1889]

MS seems incapable of doing that. Also they don’t seem to want to.

[aaronaton]

I think Xbox have realised they can't even build a sandcastle, so they decided to buy the beach instead. Its actually quite pitiful to watch so a large company acquire studios and franchises instead of building their own. That said, with the failure that is Halo: infinite with 343, i wouldn't trust Xbox to run a bath never mind Activision/Blizzard.

[masterfox]

well that's horrible.

[jznrpg]

They haven’t grown anything organically

[HardKnockKid24]

What has PS grown organically?

[ChiefofLoliPolice]

How about you actually build studios from the ground up and build talent with unique new expereinces or buy devs (not ENTIRE publishers with a shit ton of high profile IPs under its belt) and let them grow and thrive to make new IPs and fresh experiences.

This buying up whole pubhishers is why I have no respect for what MS is doing. True Sony does pay for timed exclusivity with games and content and yes they acquire devs as well but all of that is VASTLY different then buying up WHOLE publishers and a crap ton of well established IP's under their belts and if they want to make those games exclusive (which is a high chance) they will.

Hell MS can't even promise that Bethesda and Activision Blizzard games will be on PS.

Sony on the other hand buys devs and let them grow and prosper you can see that in the quality of their exclusives compared to MS for the past two generations of consoles and even today...for now.

[northpaws]

Ghost of Tsushima budget was 60m (and it is crazy good, I am still playing its MP mode right now), Halo Infinite was 500m with MP detached with no content, delayed co-op, cancelled split screen... instead of spending money to fix their studios, he decided to spend 70b for CoD, a game that Xbox gamers would have gotten anyways, and now he wants to spend more... sigh...

[moriarty1889]

How about using the studios you actually have now and create some new AAA games.

[UltimateRacer]

The interesting thing I took away here is at the very end of the article. MS can’t rule out a price increase to the Series consoles in the future. Also I hope MS can just settle down, stop buying 3rd party studios and trying to take games away from other systems, get there own house in order. For such a massive company it’s an absolute disaster that they can’t put out an exclusive game of real quality. Halo Infinite is a shit show and GP is only going to promote further GaaS that are poor quality. Halo in the 360 days was phenomenal but now it’s a shadow of its former self and GP for all its cheapness is only going to promote less quality in the long run and more GaaS.

[Einhander1971]

Basically this is the only way Microsoft think they can win!! Buy everything and everyone in sight. The greatness of Sony and Nintendo will never be matched by Microsoft. They know it.

[Orchard]

But most of Sonys studios are also acquisitions… Nintendo are the only ones growing things organically.

[LoveSpuds]

For the most part, bought as smaller outfits over the last 30 years and then developed into world class studios. There is no comparison between what Sony have done over the lifetime of PlayStation and what MS are currently doing.

[Orchard]

An acquisition is an acquisition. Just because the industry was smaller back then or because they bought 15 small companies instead of one big one doesn’t negate that fact - all of Sony’s big studios today are from acquisitions.

[KonaSquid]

Please fuck off.

[purple101]

Language

[FallenAngel1984]

What about using that money to better manage your current studios? Their output this year was atrocious

On a side note, it’s funny to remember that all of Microsoft’s representation in Super Smash Bros Ultimate come from companies they bought rather than from content they created from the ground up.

[sourOG]

Pretty crazy to see we are still in the acquisition phase lol. We haven’t seen much of shit from these studios.

[Kassanova07]

Your are not growing anything. Just buying up Stock.

[StarkR3ality]

Yeah I mean, while I defend the Activision purchase, at least let's see what's in store with your other companies before talking about buying more.

Give us Starfield, Avowed, Gears 6, Outer world's 2, Fable, Perfect dark. And let's go from there shall we plus many more. From the announced games Xbox actually have a more exciting exclusive line up if we look at potential. Whether they deliver on said potential is another story.

[Lexreborn2]

Still waiting for the games they announced 3 years ago. Still waiting for halo infinite to be a complete product. Buying companies just seem like a pick me girl who has no personality so she keeps doing things I like but never have follow through after I pay attention.

[Wrex369]

Yeah let's get the backyard in order first guys clean up these schedules and then see where y'all are at. Also fix your major tent pole Halo franchise lol

[Starman69]

Still all they put out is Forza and halo 🤣

[MadLad]

And Psychonauts 2. And Deathloop.
Two games that got game of the year awards. Just as the two you mentioned.
And that was only in good faith. Mainly for Psychonauts where they didn't want promises made during the Kickstarter to not be fulfilled so it still came to PS4. They could have easily shot that one down.

All now developers and IP you can't expect to ever see on the competition's hardware again.

And there's a lot of content coming down the pipeline come 2023. It's going to be funny watching the Xbox haters around here bending over backwards still trying to push their "Xbox has no games" crap lol

[Starman69]

The Xbox division makes good profit. They're experts at selling lies 😂

[blackblades]

Deathloop? Lol this guy

[LoveSpuds]

Madlad, you make me long for the days where we had the bubble system here on N4G so we wouldn't have to put up with individuals who spewed constant nonsense.

[repsahj]

I hope sony and nintendo will never stop releasing their exclusives even M$ got all the major 3rd party studios. I will support both of them all the way.

[Dwarrior]

Hate to see the consolidation in the industry. But if it's unavoidable now, I'd like to see Sony buy up Capcom, Square, Konami, Sega, and Namco. I would rather see Japanese companies in Japanese hands, not MS's.

[onisama]

i may not like them to buy more but with all sony is doing with exlusivity contents and buying 3rd party games blocking games from gamepass charging for ''next gen''upgrade... 70$ games including remasters and increasing conssole prices along charging extra on devs for crossplay.....i want to see sony getting punshed to the teath to wake up

[DynDasE]

Microsoft: "I won't buy everything and become a monopoly. Trust me bro".

As much as Sony is being a hypocrite, I don't want Microsoft/Activision Blizzard merge to happen because of this.

[darkrider]

When they become Microsoft/activision/blizzard/ Bethesda /ubisoft/EA/Rockstar /Take-Two and so on. Some Gamers here will still say it's not monopoly.... The second they got the first publisher it's very easy to understand their end game. GP will never achieve the 200 or 300 millions subscribers they need to have success without games you can't play anywhere else.

They can't create blockbusters ip, so they buy publishers that got them. The lack of talent by the leadership of Phil Spencer is compensate by the trillions that Microsoft get from the pc and spent on videogaming.

[Shane Kim]

Well if you can't beat them, buy them out.

[CPTN MITCHELL]

Major player is creating your own new games and not buying everything in front of you

[46player]

They need to make and release some actual games. My XSX is essentially decor.

[derek]

Big, fat, bloated, lazy, and incompetent. Microsoft has not and will not create anything, they will simply buy buy buy, thats how they "compete". All of their biggest ips were created by someone else. Now they want to trade on the past successes of Activision. I've said it before and I'll say it again the sooner Microsoft exits the gaming sphere the better. They have spent so much money already and have zero games coming out this year, and zero games at launch. While that snake oil salesman Phil Spencer talks and talks and talks some more. Lol