I’m not sure regulators would agree to validate the acquisition of Ubisoft after ABK. It’s not impossible, but it seems very complicated. Let’s already cross our fingers that ABK is validated by the regulators and we will see who comes next.
Regarding “the most played games on Xbox by region”, if you want to bring new players to your console, I think it is more relevant to consult the best-selling games on all consoles, to have a general overview and to be able to identify the big players in the industry.
I think every publisher has big sellers which makes them interesting enough for an acquisition. You have to choose the fights to fight, but I don’t think there is a bad acquisition to be made.
the only regulator who had issue was cma cuz of cloud thing bs they r making out otherwise i still dont think ubisoft is big enough to be blocked by any regulator
True, however at the same time I would personally want to keep the existing Xbox customers happy.
With how unstable the Xbox brand has been in the past few years, it may put people off if they start putting more focus on Nintendo style games instead of what’s currently popular on Xbox (for example).
This said I do agree they should also look at what is popular on the other ecosystems.
I do feel Xbox need more of those big cinematic blockbuster (Hellblade) type games to compete with PS, however the family market could also be as significant (Birthday and Christmas presents!).
I think they could rather acquire stake in Ubisoft and then sign a 10 year partnership with them. Ubisoft could use the work and funding. Rather than 343 contractors they could contract a destiny like Halo or maybe a Star Wars Outlaws like third person game. Ubisoft could also be contracted to develop the next SHADOWRUN rpg. I think once the ABK is done they should focus on partnerships in the west and acquisitions in Asia. I would say they should try acquiring Warner Bros Discovery next year.
They will continue to make the content that Xbox gamers love. What will come with the acquisitions is just a bonus for the players and for the brand. What I like about Xbox is the risk-taking and the diversity of the content offered. There are still gaps, but if they manage to fill them, it will undoubtedly be the most complete offer on the market. As I said, there are no bad candidates for acquisitions, but if they can do it with trusted partners to create a healthy and coherent universe and ecosystem, that’s better. Xbox must remain Xbox, but it must be Xbox 2.0 that marks the industry.
I know you’re talking about some possible acquisition, but I really hope Ninja Theory can make some new hack n’ slash someday.
But one good option would be Reply Game Studios, makers of Soulstice, it’s a solid game. But they’re owned by a larger group not that much focused on games as far I remember.
CyberConnect2 is a good option, Asura’s Wrath is a simple game (most of the time) and REALLY GOOD.
And I really believe that Supergiant could make a good one if they’re up to try a 3D game of the genre.
It’s a good game for me, but a bad DMC. But I can see a little bit from DmC on DMC5, maybe I’m crazy. But I would like a sequel… Microsoft just needs to buy capcom
Best course of action would be just make a new IP. I think the action in that game was too good for a one off. I think Ninja Theory is more than capable of giving us a pure action game
Yeah , hopefully Ninja Theory never goes within ten feet of a DMC game ever again. Would love to see them work on a new character action game of their own at some point though.
I’m also of the opinion that MS should look into the Lies of P developer.
I would stay far away from this company. I feel this whole company is too damn messy and it will take a miracle to turn it around. Acquiring WB would only make sense if Microsoft wants to get into the entertainment industry, but other than that it’s way too big of a gamble to take on because WB leadership has always been a disaster.
Apparently Square Enix and Zynga were potential acquisition targets.
Per Idas
Project Zipline - Zynga strategy approval; from the CMA final report we know that MS tried to acquire a mobile publisher, I guess that it was Zynga (August 2021)
Project Phoenix - “Request for Strategy Approval - Square Enix v7” - Phoenix Support materials"; a special agreement/potential acquisition of Square Enix? (January 2020)
This could explain the current relationship between MS and SE.
, just waiting for that sweet DMC6 overall.
(January 2020)