Comments on: Why Microsoft Should Acquire A Major Game Publisher

By: mjw149

mjw149 — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:55:00 +0000

I remember when MS was a major game studio, in PC gaming. Flight Simulator guys, the Age of Empires guys, stuff like that.

Now, they have Forza, and that’s major along with halo, even if they’re still limited. But the key is that they’re the Medicis for the little gaming studios and indies. And they’re doing fine with that. XBLA was a much a reason I bought xbox as Forza – and while I’m not typical, their XBLA titles are as big as Nintendo’s and Sony’s stuff. Shadow Complex, Fez, Braid, etc. are the titles that move consoles now. Not just the big AAA stuff (that has turned into small games with hundreds of optional extras, anyway).

What they need to do is fire their UI designers and start over. Why do thy need an app for daily deals? Why is the description of a game so hard to read on an HDTV? Why is it so hard to find content, period? I don’t think it’s metro’s fault, because it isn’t really a Metro design, it’s just WMC warmed over with ads and it makes me crazy.

By: hypernova1024

hypernova1024 — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 04:48:00 +0000

True, but Activision doesn’t have much further to go before they’re ruined. Just look at how they’ve been shelling out the same game on different maps since 2007 (Call of Duty of course).

By: Tobias Bui

Tobias Bui — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 03:39:00 +0000

Acquisitions, especially when dealing with creative content can be deadly. It works for Sony and Nintendo since they have a lot of creative studios in house, I’m on wagering a hunch, but I doubt that Microsoft could integrate the well. I don’t see why other people are so deadset against the idea, since there is a possibility that an acquisition such as this can go well. Consider the fact that Disney acquired Pixar and has largely left the creative side of Pixar alone, especially when you consider the fact that films are the third large contributor to revenue to Disney, they are smart enough to diversify, and perhaps that is what Microsoft wants to do. They still have the cash cow of Windows and Office, but with the Surface they are moving into a direction they haven’t always been successful in, Xbox being an exception. It might also ruin the relationship they have with computer manufacturers, but the sheer possibilities if they do an acquisition correctly could have major implications for the gaming market. It will definitely make the 360 and each following generation more attractive to customers and having games exclusive to WP7 and each following generation also more attractive if integrated well. I’m not a specialist in M&A, but I also doubt many people are, also doubting that many have taken a business management course that sheds light on acquisitions.

By: marvel83

marvel83 — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 00:50:00 +0000

A profit that will be cut in half, all of Rockstar biggest titles (GTA4) get their sales from 360 (9.69m) and PS3 (9.19m) almost split evenly down the middle with PC sales equaling less than 5% (.68m).
Even if you use the more people will by 360 just for this game argument, it still won’t come close to the 9 million sales loss. Basically it would benefit M$ way more from a buyout than it would Take Two.

By: cris178

cris178 — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 23:14:00 +0000

Not really due to the fact that most of their games are also on PC and because Xbox will be on Windows 8 I can see them still making a profit.

By: TheGamingArt

TheGamingArt — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 19:52:00 +0000

Why they shouldn’t… they’ll ruin the publisher. Rare = perfect example.

By: marvel83

marvel83 — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 17:04:00 +0000

LOL Take Two? yeah right. That will be the end of that studio. M$ would make them go exclusive and GTA as well as the other games they make would lose ALL sales outside of 360.

By: Emerson Takahashi

Emerson Takahashi — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 14:55:00 +0000

The article states that a video game needs first-party titles. Nintendo is criticized that only the first-party titles sell well on the platform.

Gamers claim to want new IP but buy the blockbuster titles in droves.

I believe Microsoft’s money is better spent creating new IP with the new console generation. It’s the best time to introduce new IP and show the technical capabilities to the gaming audience and reap the rewards at the end of the cycle (which we are experiencing now with Assassins Creed, Call of Duty, etc).

By: Emerson Takahashi

Emerson Takahashi — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 14:44:00 +0000

If they acquire Take Two, Microsoft will also acquire all the studios under Take Two and Rockstar Games is one of them. Microsoft would acquire GTA in the process

By: cris178

cris178 — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 14:36:00 +0000

yeah Microsoft should probably start getting more series in the gaming space. Sure they have bought a couple of indie studios but those don’t really satisfy the hardcore gamers. There main Studios seem to be 343, Turn 10, and Lionhead but that is not enough. Having Forza,Halo and another Fable games gets repetitive. People are wanting something fresh. Ubisoft would be a good choice but costly. Take Two does not have any good games besides the Darkness and Civilization.

By: Ajay Shah

Ajay Shah — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 07:10:00 +0000

Its not a question…
He says ‘Why Microsoft Should…’ and then states why they should.

By: Samir Shah

Samir Shah — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 06:22:00 +0000

The question is not whether Microsoft should acquire a major game publisher but what can Microsoft do to be a major force in games for tablets (Windows 8 plus Android plus iOS) and to some extent smartphones (Windows Phone 8 plus Android plus iOS). EA or no EA, Activision or no Activision, Ubisoft or no Ubisoft.

By: Joan Respondi

Joan Respondi — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 05:44:00 +0000

…Part of Nintendo’s success, even during its current downturn… Author, huh? And stop titling every article you write as a question. Sometimes you don’t even answer the question.

By: Philip Berne

Philip Berne — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 00:47:00 +0000

I dunno. I think you underestimate just what Microsoft has with 343 and Microsoft Game Studios. They wouldn’t have let Bungie walk if they weren’t confident of their position. They aren’t leveraging that game studio properly, but they definitely have real, smart talent in their stable.

By: Philip Berne

Philip Berne — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 00:47:00 +0000

Also, Activision is bigger than EA.

By: TrentBradley

TrentBradley — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 00:04:00 +0000

This article should really be named “Why Microsoft and Sony should just quit because the Wii U is going to destroy everything else!!”

Edit: 10 people thought I was serious lol.