Yes I think it was hence ‘since’ 
That said the controller was awful and the mini discs were just stupid.
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got to disagree on this one, gamecube controller was goated
I hate nintendo when it comes to how they treat their costumers, but their games are still amazing(even if most of them shouldnt be for 60 forever)
But I understand that sad feeling of seeing them being bought, also that I am worried about how they will change their culture and how it could affect their games
Just like rare, and sure sot is popular and all but nobody can say that rare is the same developer it used to be in the 90s or even during the 360 era, and even if ms leaves their studios alone most of the time, I know that someday changes will start to happen
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Not really played AoE but does it have a story? I’m not saying that AC’s story is strong but it has the overarching story of the Templars and Assassin’s over time through the Animus.
But who is going to make that AOE game?
Hmm it was better than the three handed N64 controller, and probably more comfortable than the Dualshock (I hate the Dualshock design), but IMO the Xbox Duke was still miles ahead of the competition at the time.
Solid, though I don’t really see Sony going after Sega. I mean sure they’d do well with the core studios, Yakuza and Atlus but there’s also the PC teams that just don’t fit with Sony. If Sony WERE going for them, yeah, totally worth a defensive move. As for CDPR, eh, I think Microsoft can live without another WRPG developer, especially for how much it would likely cost once factoring in GOG. I could see them ending up at Sony.
I might be wrong but I think their goal was less free to play overall and more live service, I think AC Infinity for example was intended to be a full priced game still - just with long term support and content. Either way, I think the “Ubisoft are bad now” thing is a bit overblown, though that might just be my personal opinion. I think they’d be a solid get, though since I don’t see much chance of them being bought up by anyone likely to be exclusive I don’t really think it’s necessary.
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I play switch too due to portability, but their games are very expensive. 2 switch games a year is more than a year of GamePass
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It depends who it is.
If it was Microsoft (not going to happen) you know they would get the royal treatment. Xbox would solve it’s Japanese market immediately, no third party Japanese publisher would dare skip Xbox that’s for sure.
Have you tried playing 4 player Minecraft Dungeons on the Switch? Your lucky to get 20 FPS, Xbox could help with better hardware and the volume of players would be ridiculous with something like GamePass.
Yep I find it handy to play too, especially when the rest of my family are watching rubbish on the telly.
It sort of has a campaign but it would be awesome to see an actual campaign with a similar format to Assassins Creed or even Ryse: Son of Rome but fits into Age of Empires with historical accuracy.
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By the time Activision/Blizzard is complete Microsoft will have a large variety of studios or developers who could work on it. And if not maybe Microsoft could go for Avalanche studios or Asobo which do third person games.
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My updated top 5 wish list -
- Ubisoft
I already have 6 games that im very interested in (Avatar, Beyond Good & Evil 2, Prince of Persia Sands of Time Remake, Skull & Bones, Splinter Cell Remake and Star Wars from Massive) that have already been announced. Add in the heavily rumored Immortals sequel (fuck yeah!!!), the 2.5D Prince of Persia game that’s similar to Ori and the AC “Rift” standalone game that’s based on Basim from Valhalla and I already have 9 games that im very interested in. This doesn’t include a future Far Cry spin off game which im expecting in 2023 like they did with Primal and New Dawn so this would be 10. Add in AC Infinite in 2025 which according to Tom Henderson sounds fucking awesome if true. This makes it 11. Doesn’t include the next Watch Dogs or Ghost Recom games or future content for The Division 2. Also, I loved For Honor campaign and have always wanted a sequel, maybe under Microsoft, they would do that. And even if I subtract Skull & Bones since it’s probably an MP only game (SMFH), I still have 10 games that im very interested in and can’t wait to see and eventually play. No other publisher even gives me half the games of what Ubisoft does.
- WB Games and all of DC
This in my eyes is an easy decision because once the ROI is made back, it’s easy profits. And yes, they can still be sold off by AT&T who still owns majority control over it all.
- CD Project Red
I have only played the prologue and a Brain Dance quest in Cyberpunk but holy shit!!! They’ve already jumped up to #4 for this generation for me out of 18 games. Visuals 10/10. Audio 10/10. Music and voice acting is top tier. The world looks amazing with the cities and building and megaplexes. There’s some destruction in the game which is cool. Love destruction in games. Combat wise, melee is thus far meh, haven’t done hacking or stealth but shooting surprisingly felt pretty damn good. And of course, story/characters. A few hours in and im already invested and while im not a fan of first person over third person in any game as everyone here already knows, I have to admit that it was right decision because talking to NPC’s, you feel like you’re right there. Visiting the Ripperdoc and him putting that upgrade in your eye and it going right into the TV screen. Oh man. Plus, switching to Unreal Engine 5 was a brilliant decision for various reasons. Yeah, go fucking buy them because even at their worst, their games are still better than 90% of the industry in my opinion. Wouldn’t be surprised at all if once I complete Cyberpunk, that it becomes my best game of this generation thus far.
- Techland
Playing Dying Light 2 and oh man, the best melee combat ever in a first person game. So much talent and I do love “zombie” games but this is just an overall great game and franchise. Plus, Techland supports the hell out of it. And they can’t be all that expensive.
- Crystal Dynamics/Eidos Montreal
I believe that Microsoft acquires CD before Perfect Dark releases. Like HoegLaw said on the Iron Lords Podcast earlier today, they’re maybe a few hundred million at most. They’re not worth a lot unless you get IP’s with them. Same applies to Eidos Montreal. Plus, both of them are coming off multiple disappointing games sales wise and one is currently working under Microsoft as Square Enix either doesn’t care or ruins their western studios more times than not.
Honorable Mention -
I was going to say Asobo which would be a great acquisition but honestly, if Focus were to acquire them, I would be perfectly fine with this as they’re in my top 2 AA publishers.
Who I would go after if possible, would be GSC Gameworld. They can’t be all that expensive and with the turmoil that’s going on in Ukraine and yes, I know they moved out of there thankfully but I wouldn’t be surprised if that cost them money they weren’t planning on spending. I do believe Stalker 2 is going to be big and acquiring them would be a great move, business, game and PR wise because let’s be honest, acquiring them would essentially guarantee everyone that works there to be “secure” and not have to worry about losing their job or this or that.
Anyway, those are my top 5 and an honorable mention. Granted, outside of Crystal Dynamics, im not expecting any of these to happen but im still hoping!!! 
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I would like to see Ubisoft do well and the live service/free to play route goes well and while they could be a good fit for Microsoft I just don’t think it’s worth it. Microsoft will already have their hands full with Activision/Blizzard and adding Ubisoft on top of that could cause more issues than it can solve. Since Ubisoft has ongoing issues with toxic workplace conditions as well as the whole situation with NFTs. And I’m sure Microsoft would prefer to be hands off with their studios and trust their studios leadership rather than being hands on and needing to step in.
Then there will also be another situation with the whole FTC and getting being passed though the government. Since the whole Activision/Blizzard acquisition is already a hassle and I’m sure a publisher like Ubisoft wouldn’t be any different even if they aren’t as big.
I hope I’m wrong but I just think Ubisoft isn’t worth it compared to other studios like Crystal Dynamics, Asobo, Avalanche, etc, or publishers like Sega or Capcom.
I wish I could stream xcloud on switch, perfect device aspect ratio wise, can’t stand the black bars on my phone
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I think Ubisoft is in an intresting position, I think they will be the next major acquisition with their stock tanking (even if it isn’t by microsoft) and I don’t think Microsoft cares about the management since that can just be changed then they can be hands off but I do think their are better options, I stick with my prediction Square will be the next one by microsoft but more I think about it more Ubisoft makes sense due to the parallels with activision. I still think Square is more likely for a few reasons though
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I do not get the feeling that the next major move will be Microsoft. I think it’s likely we see a major move before the Activision Blizzard acquisition is complete. It would be to the advantage of Microsofts competitors to act before then. Whatever happens will influence the gaming store and how Microsoft views things imo.
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Potential Sony auto correct lol
True Ubisoft is in an interesting position but I don’t think it should be Microsoft’s next acquisition and could be something Microsoft could pursue later on. And I agree with you I want Microsoft to go after a Japanese publisher next such as Sega, Square Enix, or Capcom, etc.