Thanks I’ll check it out! 
100% I wonder if they could still pick up individual studios from Ubisoft.
EDIT: I have just purchased A Hat in Time
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That would be a sad day indeed, although I can’t see the current regulators approving a 205+ Billion acquisition in that industry.
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With Starfield just coming out, I do believe it is more important now to go after CD Projekt Red.
Reason they are working on a new IP and just like how Bethesda was given more time to work on Starfield then if just Zenimax owned them.
I can see the same being true for CDPR and we all know what happened when Cyberpunk 2077 was rushed, so we don’t want to see that.
CDPR has shown they could turn the game around and soon will be releasing Phantom Liberty.
Plus they have more Witcher coming out… soonish.
Now I understand some might think Microsoft already has enough RPG developers, but I still believe there is room for growth and with how long RPGs take to make it is important you have many studios that make these games.
One thing people forget is RPGs have just as much of an impact on Xbox as shooters do.
Go back to the original Xbox you had Fable from Lionshead, Knights Of The Old Republic from Bioware and Elder Scrolls: Morrowind from Bethesda.
Then you had Fable 2 & 3, Mass Effect, Jade Empire and Oblivion for Xbox 360.
I understand Bioware and Bethesda weren’t first party, but because those games didn’t come to PlayStation they were counted as reasons to own a Xbox.
Even lesser known RPGs like Sudeki or Azurik were on the original Xbox too.
So with how Microsoft has been working with CDPR on advertisements rights be it for Witcher or Cyberpunk, why not go farther and bring them in house?
It just makes sense and then you can officially say Xbox is the home for RPGs.
Plus it is another reason to stick with Game Pass, because RPGs take 100s of hours to complete and when you have invested that many hours into a game, you’ll continue to invest with Game Pass too.
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At first I wasnt interested on this idea mostly because the lauch of cyberpunk also that I dont wanted a studio that would take a decade just to launch one game but lately I have change my mind seeing their decisions, working on several projects is great, especially working with external developers like they are doing with fool’s theorys, they could even turn cdpr into one big publisher like bethesda by acquiring small developers and putting them under their umbrella(especially those made by ex cdpr developers)
Their games could make an impact on gamepass and lets be honest, who doesnt want to see geralt being an xbox icon, I know we have enough rpgs but they arent similar, my only problem with it is what could happen to gog, if I am honest I dont trust microsoft having control over it, besides that I think it will be a great acquisitions
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I know this has been said several times already but once the abk acquisition is complete I hope xbox will go for several studios before a publisher, especially crystal dynamics and eidos, they need to be saved before ending like volition, having them working closely with the initiative should be a priority for xbox(atleast imo)
Then they could bring partners like asobo, ioi and certain affinity to xbox aswell adding double eleven, behaviour and modern storyteller to bethesda, when it comes to abk I think they will just get support studios to boost cod, overwatch, etc although it would be cool to see studios like dreamhaven helping blizzard with their ips or some random studios working under activision making games of several genres, and now that the division in japan is going to have more support I think it will be a good time to form a new family of several studios working on different stuff, jrpgs, hack n slash, fighting, and a developer that could make some wacky creative stuff like japan studios did before, but I am sure sega or capcom could help with that
This is just what I think xbox could do before shaking the industry again but we are never sure about their next move, xbox always has a wildcard
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Hopefully nobody. I just want good games. Im not interested in them buying more companies at a loss. The revenue will not cover the purchases. So its a subtractive move in the market.
I have a series X but im not interested in either companies purchasing anyone.
I hope people can see it for what it is.
What should MS buy next? Easy
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I don’t think Microsoft should go after CDPR . I think they have enough power houses to cultivate and from the look of things the rpgs coming from Xbox will be on a level above CDPR. They need to focus on having studios for every genre. I think they’ve shown a keen eye for talent with some of their publishing last gen like Cuphead and Ori and 33 immortals and Tower Borne look like they could be something else. I would say they need an engines team and Crytek could fit that bill, then they need to have studios that can address certain cultural demographics. Studios or a publisher in Japan and South Korea. I do think getting Eidos and Crystal Dynamics is important, but they could always just hire those involved in their projects should the studios close.
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I see your point but I dont think it could stop microsoft, afterall they want huge titles launching on gamepass and having the witcher aswell their other rpgs would be big for the service, I am not saying they will be acquire, is just a possibility
Now when it comes to having studios working on different genres I always agree with that idea, specially seeing their latest games like pentiment, hi fi rush and now towerborne, is clear that xbox wants to have a diverse portfolio for gamepass and I hope they will try to fill that space after the abk acquisition ends, is a shame that moon studios decided to destroy their relationship with them but there is some people from the studio that are still working with xbox, hopefully they will hire them
With eidos and crystal dynamics I think this is their only chance, sure they could always hire them but isnt the same thing, is like hiring developers from certain affinity for halo infinite, it doesnt work as having both studios helping each other, atleast on my opinion
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My most desired acquisition right now Pearl Abyss https://twitter.com/CrimsonDesert_/status/1694059595650544030
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I think if they could get Pearl abyss that would be monumental. They have a lot of games that appeal to different genre, they even have that kiddy game that is sure to hit.
I see what you’re saying and agree on the Eidos and Crystal Dynamics however I think CDPR is something that will bring a lot of regulatory headaches as they own GOG and their IPS are not there’s. They may revert back to the owners if they’re bought. I also think as Game Pass grows bigger the industry will change to a more sub based system and certain publishers value will fall.
What you said earlier is certainly something Xbox should consider getting more studios maybe before another publisher. There is Archetype that is made up of BioWare staff making a game that could be the next Mass Effect.
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Yeah Battletoads excelled in some areas. though the most important area of gameplay was not that great. In nearly every other respect it was real good.
You’ll need devs like this to do IP revivals.
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I think they absolutly should go after CDPR if Sony does. kind of like they did with bethesda
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More rpgs sounds good to me , though I am adamant that they need to acquire some studios to add to their bethesda teams before they think about more rpg studios. Help get Bethesda to 2k employees.
Exception for jrpg studios obviously 
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Crystal Dynamics, Eidos, EA Sports which is not a publisher in reality at best it’s a subsidiary or can even be look at as a studio. After Disney pays Comcast so they can merge with the rest of EA. Microsoft needs to stop playing they need to move consoles they need Gamepass to go to the next level you will have Call of Duty finish this off with Sports Games. Fifa, Madden, UFC, NBA Live, College Football, Golf, Boxing most of the previous year versions of those games are at the top played list of Gamepass you Day1 the latest versions you own the casual audience with that Series S Console. Those games double as GAAS. The Sports titles are already multiplatform you already have MLB the show with the deal with the Major League if you need to sell the cloud license rights sell them to the Comcast EA merged company or the leagues themselves.
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I dont think ea will sell their sports division, thats their golden goose afterall, but I can see xbox making their own sports games like they did on the original xbox, or help sega make their own sports games again like back in the day
The way I see any sort of potential “monopoly” is in regards to the type of software made, so I think they can cool it on the WRPGs and focus on the areas they are weak in.
And I think it benefits Gamepass when it has a diversity of games.
I see what is meant by getting them so games aren’t left off Xbox, but in that case they should make the games multiplat but Day 1 on GP.
All IMO. I’m not saying I’m right or anything. Just defining my view on monopolistic behaviours within the context of gaming. Others have different definitions.
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Agreed. I think your point stands. Going after CDPR strengthens the foreclosure argument. We see even on CNBC where the reporter was still asking on Xbox games exclusivity. I think Xbox has enough WRPG studios at least on a foundation level to grow bigger without having to go after a publisher like CDPR. In my opinion I say get 2 more publishers and be done. One in Japan and another in South Korea after that let the publishers acquire studios that fit their visions.
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