Those timed exclusive deals were probably signed many years ago, before the string of failures. I also think Sony would consider it as a defensive move.
I don’t think so. Just like with Starfield - I doubt it happen that much in advance. Talks also take years.
I mean it would make sense for Sony to try to moneyhat Starfield earlier than Forsaken and FF16, because there was always more probability that MS would do that. Yet they went with easier target (Square) that naturally don’t skip their platform.
And yes it would be defensive move. That’s true. The problem is that the defensive more for 10 bn, where they overall profit for the 2021 for the whole Sony was 11 bn, it is very expensive move. Unless of course it is merger, stock options or whatever. Sony planned 18 bn for acquisition for the next 3 years (I think) but it is more the question if they are going to spend half at once.
Remember it is believed they are in talks with some party…remember the bloomberg article then square had to pubicly deny aquisition for legal reasons.those talks probably still going on. As far as people can fly, their royalties and all could be covid and all, they have it bad over there. A couple days late, and you run to the press not good. I think its ms definitely, sony been spending too much on getting little studios. Negotiations are just take time and if theres a bidding war. Crossing fingers its ms that gets se.
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Lmaoo
Legit the Zenimax acquisition has made people insane here when it comes to xbox acquiring studios when the majority of them have been AA to AAA partners (most of them in precarious economic positions) that xbox snatched up once they became committed to gaming. Xbox doesnt go window shopping as evidenced by like the past 4 years.
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But at the same time this bad press is double edged sword - on one hand it might accelerate the talks (ok we agree just pay for whatever we own and that’s it) or tank the price (you have debt). We will see. It is fascinating.
Also Square Enix is a multinational with multiple investments and interests outside gaming. Nobody is touching that.
In 2018 MS bought 6 studios, in 2019 - 1, in 2020 - Zenimax (7 studios). They bought basically more game studios within 3 (2) years than since 1999.
2021 is calling 
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It’s best to just wait rather than keep jumping at everything that might be a signal.
Bethesda came out of nowhere, no amount of discussion here would’ve predicted that.
We know nothing and this will continue until we do.
Feels like we’re beating the same points every day now.
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- Playground - Long standing partner
- Undead Labs - Long standing AA partner
- Ninja Theory - Save Hellblade success they were in very precarious positions facing uncertainty in their role in gaming.
- Obsidian - Precarious financial position.
- Inxile - Precarious Financial position.
- Double Fine - Precarious financial position.
- Zenimax - Save ID and BGS, Precarious financial position.
- Compulsion Gaming - Thanking the gods Microsoft snatched them up, lone partner (?)
Im not saying Microsoft doesnt buy studios but the background into most of them is pretty evident.
And I don’t see the problem with that. We speculate, having fun and meltdown, hit panic button. It is entertaining. There are some bad actors - naturally - but having adventurous spirit is not a problem. Much better than “MS won’t purchase anything big anymore, MS cannot buy anything in Japan” and so on.
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So Microsoft likes to purchase on even years. Pack it up for until 2022 guys.
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While it is, this my escape from real world news…safe and fun speculation
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I think one thing is having a discussion into realistic potential targets and the other one is shooting at everything as a sign of something coming or happening.
Legit besides Obsidian and Playground I havent seen any of these xbox acquisitions leak anywhere before announcement. Then Pre-E3 we get this “rumor” that xbox is looking to incorporate 7 studios.
okay
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Sometimes I feel like you really don’t want certain purchases to happen. It reminds me of “remember, no Japan” but I don’t think there is a need to be concerned whether people are concerned that something is coming or happening. I mean people discuss what they want.
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WHAT??? I want xbox to continue growing but I dont like dealing with absolutes or going against what the actual data of the acquisition tells me.
It is totally fine to say that “I don’t think it is happening” but there is no reason in trying to shoot down the discussion regarding that. There is no reason to have the concerns over the people who think that something is happening. Whether it is gonna happen or not - only time will tell - and we can cross it out on the board. Like Square Enix will be bought by Tencent - we will cross out it from MS acquisition. And that’s it.
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There are no absolutes everyone is speculating, ho one can say forvsure. I seecthis a lotbin forums the fear of being wrong…toss it aside unoess your psychic and can read phil’s mind lol…someone brought up?the seven studios wasnt that a joke not bectaken literally…
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Which one of you delicate flowers flagged Shakez’ post???
Probably the same one that will flag this one
I didn’t understand why I was flagged, but it’s ok.
Just means I’m right.
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You wanna talk about Asobo or Sega
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