Microsoft EA Games Buyout Tipped To Bump Xbox One Exclusives
It isn't exactly a secret that the Xbox One is playing second fiddle to the PlayStation 4 this generation. Part of that probably has something to do with Microsoft's disastrous E3 reveal of the Xbox One all those years ago, but more recently, the problem seems to stem from a lack of exclusive games. Though Microsoft has a few exclusive franchises like Forza, Halo, and Gears of War, Sony has managed to secure many more exclusives for the PlayStation 4.
Since both platforms share a lot of similarities, barring any feelings of brand loyalty, the decision about which to buy ultimately comes down to exclusives for many people. In the end, all we have to do is look to sales numbers to determine how each console is doing. The PlayStation 4 is far and away the leader in sales for the current generation, and though the Xbox One has little hope of surpassing the PS4 before we're onto the next round of consoles (whenever that will be), that doesn't mean Microsoft can't improve its fortunes right now.
If it wants to see immediate improvement, Microsoft will have to look at what it can do on the exclusives front. A new write-up from Polygon examines the struggles Microsoft has had with third-party developers, and while the entire article is definitely worth a read, there's one part in particular that stands out. According to "a reliable source close to Microsoft," Polygon says that the company has been mulling an acquisition of Electronic Arts, with other potential targets being Valve and PUBG Corporation.
That's a whopper of a rumor right there, because Electronic Arts is usually the company doing the buying. It doesn't seem like EA would be a target of many other companies, but with Microsoft's war chest, it could potentially happen. Buying out EA would be a massive move for Microsoft, as EA is one of the biggest publishers in the world, second only to Activision.
That, in turn, means a lot of potential exclusives for Microsoft and the Xbox One. If such an acquisition were to actually happen, does that mean we'd see EA's entire library of franchises become Xbox exclusives? Not necessarily – remember, Microsoft purchased Minecraft developer Mojang back in 2014, and in the time since then, it's made no indication that it will turn Minecraft into an Xbox-exclusive game.
However, key releases in franchises like Mass Effect, Dragon Age, Battlefield, and Star Wars could make for tempting Xbox One exclusives. At first blush, it seems like a deal so big it would never happen, but in its quest for more market share, we shouldn't consider any acquisition to be automatically off limits. We'll keep an eye out for more details on this rumor, but for now, head down to the comments section and let us know what you think of Microsoft potentially buying Electronic Arts.