Microsoft Acquiring Activision/Blizzard
- Thread starter DeathKnight
- Start date
Silent-Runner
Noli timere messorem
not sure if this is a "oh, great" or a "oh, sh*t" moment
Hooly moly!!! Noice!
For me as a PC gamer, this means Microsoft is more than ever invested in making gaming work, and their efforts at making PC gaming work have never been more ambitious. Since Activision's titles were already on PC though, there's no direct upside on this front.
For me as an (occasional) Game Pass user, this means more cool games available to play freely, at a relatively low cost. That's going to be a positive, as I think game passes have a solid future as part of the hobby. I don't see an MS Game Pass coming to Steam, so that's something that's on my mind, but I've always been open to platforms and stores if their offer was solid.
For me as a Playstation gamer, it doesn't mean a thing: I only play on Playstation when the exclusives are worth it. Having exhausted the PS4 exclusives I cannot resist, I've even sold the console.
From an industry point of view, I've always thought Microsoft needed a much stronger in-house capability to challenge Sony's exclusives. However, I always thought that meant attracting studios and new IP, not buying up existing studios and IP. Exclusivity isn't a very cool thing for gamers in general, and having several behemoth franchises and studios move toward MS and away from Sony doesn't add to the market, it takes away. Even if that doesn't have a direct effect on me and my gaming habits, from an industry point of view I don't think this is a positive development.
For me as an (occasional) Game Pass user, this means more cool games available to play freely, at a relatively low cost. That's going to be a positive, as I think game passes have a solid future as part of the hobby. I don't see an MS Game Pass coming to Steam, so that's something that's on my mind, but I've always been open to platforms and stores if their offer was solid.
For me as a Playstation gamer, it doesn't mean a thing: I only play on Playstation when the exclusives are worth it. Having exhausted the PS4 exclusives I cannot resist, I've even sold the console.
From an industry point of view, I've always thought Microsoft needed a much stronger in-house capability to challenge Sony's exclusives. However, I always thought that meant attracting studios and new IP, not buying up existing studios and IP. Exclusivity isn't a very cool thing for gamers in general, and having several behemoth franchises and studios move toward MS and away from Sony doesn't add to the market, it takes away. Even if that doesn't have a direct effect on me and my gaming habits, from an industry point of view I don't think this is a positive development.
I have such mixed feelings on this. On one had it's great, and the other not so much.
I could see them gobbling up Square Enix.... but EA, I don't know. I think EA like's their little money machine right where it is.
That's just nuts
What's next, EA or Square Enix? That was a rumour wasn't it?
I could see them gobbling up Square Enix.... but EA, I don't know. I think EA like's their little money machine right where it is.
Actiblizz was worth more and earned more money than EA though.
It's pretty insane that MS bought them.
Honestly, this acquisition doesn't have me as excited as I was for Bethesda/Zenimax. Maybe it's because I haven't been interested in much coming out of Activision/Blizzard for a long time. Also, to me anyway, it feels like it's a bit less about gaming and more of a super powerplay to try to "keep up with the Joneses", ie. Tencent.
Regardless, it's a good thing Microsoft will be cleaning house after the acquisition is complete.
Regardless, it's a good thing Microsoft will be cleaning house after the acquisition is complete.
It's crazy and yes you are right. If they can buy Activision/Blizzard, they sure as hell could afford EA. I just don't see EA taking such a deal.
Actiblizz has a lot of dormant IPs though, it would be cool if the MS purchase would let them become what they used to be instead of a COD machine.
JohnnyFlash
Professional Lurker
Can they please buy Interplay for $0.50 while they're on a spree.
They have some classics they could bring back. Interstate, SiN, Heavy Gear, Heretic... but honestly... it's not that rich. Imho EA's stack of IP absolutely dwarfs Actiblizz. And I think thats one of the reasons I can't see EA giving in to a buy out. They have so much more to pull from than Actiblizz imho.
Leprechaun
Active member
If you read you'll note that Microsoft is doing it with plans of releasing their own metaverse to compete with Facebook/Meta. Not just gaming but social as well