Todd Vaughn
Todd Vaughn is the Matt Booty equivalent there. He is SVP Development
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Apologies, you’d be correct, I always forget about the Vaughn but I guess that’s because Pete’s so much in the open 
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Couldnt end April without acquisitions
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Microsoft pls 
, just arrive with a big offer with lots of zeros and get these IPs. they dont know what to do with them.
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After learning about the new IP IOI and Xbox are working on together, with IOI opening a new office for a new team, I can’t help but wonder if they’re considering it eventually leading to an acquistion based on how things go with this publishing deal.
A multi-team IOI, backed with MS money and a hands-off approach, would be an amazing addition to Xbox.
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Microsoft should just write the check.
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When jez started teasing the XGP games he said that some of them could very well lead to acquisitions.
I’m sure Microsoft has tried to buy IOI. They are probably the number one independent developer out there. You could make an argument for bungie, but they have like 1000 people, versus ioi who has a few 100 and multiple aaa teams(is it really 3 now)
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That was more of his own opinion rather than anything he has heard and it is due to how ambitious some of the games sound that he thinks Microsoft might decide to bring them in-house. Of course, having prior dealings do help facilitate an acquisition, as we have seen over the past few years with Microsoft.
IOI probably needs to feel out the relationship. Didn’t MS have a game with IOI about 10 years ago that they cancelled?
Honestly yeah, i hope this publishing partnership works out well enough to lead to an acquisition. Theyd be great to have as a part of xbox
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Konami is of no use for anyone anymore, they didn’t even ship a full new PES for the launch of new consoles (i understand covid, but it made no sense) and they have no more real AAA studios.
If MS would buy them, then they would need more studios to make games using the acquired IPs, by building from scrath or through external publishing, like an averata global publishing title, it’s not really efficient and/or cost effective imo. Essentially they would buy only the IPs, but who knows if Konami is willing to do it.
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I assume Microsoft probably offered them the required money for an acquisition. I assume they are more worried about staying IOI. This new Developer frendily approach Microsoft is on is still a new attitude. 5 years ago things where much more ugly. Good partnerships can lead to acquisitions, see insomniac, Bethesda, playground.
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What about gsc game world. Stalker was a loved game. If the second one does well might Microsoft look at them?
Does them being in Ukraine cause problems?
What are the chances that Microsoft can acquire WB Games with a ten year licensing agreement?
Ive always said if they can sort out the licensing agreement that this would be the ideal next acquisition.
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The major issue is supposedly (per rumors) the streaming rights. That’d be a big damper on Game Pass growth if people aren’t able to stream the games.
If Microsoft really wanted the game publishing wing of WB and a deal for the IPs i think it would’ve happened by now. Something must’ve happened.
Agreed. Would love for Microsoft to acquire WB Games. Imagine the DC licenses AND having a deal with LucasFilm Games? Oh man.
Even if they couldn’t stream the games, until game streaming blows up and gets huge, I don’t think that would matter much now.
Yeah, sadly I kinda figured this is what happens but still hoping.
“But who wants to get these studios to work on licensed properties” /s
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He’s still pretty active on OtherEra.
(I have no issues with him, just passing along info).