I think with MS that probability is higher than with other publishers lol
Zero chance Square will sell Tomb Raider. They might license it to Microsoft but outright selling the IP is a nonstarter. If anything Crystal Dynamics wants to work on Perfect Dark because its the closest analog to Tomb Raider that they could jump to if the SE relationship completely sours.
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Depends on price.
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MS has looked into/tried to acquire SE in the past.
After Zenimax, I rule out nothing, but I doubt this will come to pass.
It would be a phenomenal back catalogue for Game Pass though. It would immediately become a must-have service to the 100s of millions of gamers across Asia.
The entire history of SE on Game Pass - I would certainly love to see it.
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You have the wrong meaning of what a try out means, it’s both for the studio and MS to see if they can work well together and there is no conflict in culture. The worst thing that can happen is if you acquire a studio, the culture doesn’t fit, and you have an exodus of talent.
On the flip side, an established studio that isn’t desperate to get acquired would also want to see how they are treated by a multinational conglomerate.
MS isn’t buying support studios or studios that specialize in remakes, these are high quality studios with a long reputation in the industry.
Both MS and established studios are in a position of leverage.
Higher, yes. Certainly in the past. But the game is different now. MS wouldn’t allow a first party AAA studio to make multiplatform games unless it was something like a sports title or LEGO perhaps - and only then if it still launched on Game Pass day and date.
Pay close attention to how carefully guarded IP has become in the film industry. Netflix has spent billions not just on licensing and creating IP, but also on buying existing back catalogues.
MS is looking to acquire publishers and assets for that same reason.
But then it doesn’t explain how it worked for Double Fine or Compulsion.
I need to get around to playing that, I’ve been meaning to.
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If they license 3rd party IP, they might not have a choice. That’s why MS is so avert to do that.
Of course they’d have a choice.
They would have the choice to drop the license, lol.
If it’s not helping Game Pass grow, it’s not taking up their resources.
Even if it would sell millions of hardware units. MS wouldn’t accept not having it day and date on Game Pass.
Double Fine and Compulsion were both financially struggling. Microsoft also didn’t have 20+ studios at the time.
IOI just got their independence and is expanding.
I would but Id do my due diligence about the IP.
Nothing that Microsoft produces forward cannot NOT launch on game pass.
I think they can do both, but timed exclusives do nothing for me as an Xbox owner. “Look, you have the exclusive opportunity to pay $70 for this game 12 months before anyone else!”
Free Xbox games do more for me. Add Assassins Creed to gamepass at launch and watch as Xbox becomes the default place to play it.
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Compulsion was that Buy 4 get 1 free studio that year 
Anyway great get for Microsoft that was.
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So who would be an equivalent throw in if they did that this year?
Square Enix East. They’re by far the jankiest of any studios out there. 
Who would be good targets to add another studio that’s decent size in Japan and would be reasonable (ir not Platinum because the strained relationship)?
Everytime I look I go right to Level 5, but am very curious on others thoughts.
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This type of deals mostly from PS Plus money revenue
The thing about Japan is that the fix is just getting the games on xbox and you dont gotta buy studios to do that. Would be great if you know we got Ys and the Trails series to start or Atelier and all thatm
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