Hows does Sony respond to Microsoft now? (With big fonts ITT!!)

Which publisher should Sony buy to counter Bethesda acquisition?

  • Square Enix

    Votes: 29 35.8%

  • Konami

    Votes: 9 11.1%

  • Sega

    Votes: 4 4.9%

  • Bandai Namco

    Votes: 2 2.5%

  • Capcom

    Votes: 23 28.4%

  • Devolver Digital

    Votes: 4 4.9%

  • Warner Bros.

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Atlus

    Votes: 7 8.6%

  • Koei Tecmo

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • 505 Games

    Votes: 1 1.2%

  • Deep Silver

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • THQ Nordiq

    Votes: 2 2.5%
  • Total voters
    81
Sony already bought Insomniac
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Bryank75 said:
I'm not taking it for granted anymore. If they are willing to spend over 7 billion on a single acquisition for gaming... it is time for Sony to wake-up. It's not fun and games anymore.... this is real business.
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Will have to see remember microsoft likes to milk successful IP's. So I see maybe 1 or two ips from Bethesda microsoft will really hone in on. I expect titles like doom or Skyrim to be on other platforms.
 
Megatron said:
I feel like this is MS's response to Sony running to every studio trying to buy exclusives.


Sony responding to this would be like when your brother shoves you, so you shove him back, and then he hits you because you shoved him.
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It's a pretty massive shot across the bow, more like a full broadside.
 
Konami es the best option regarding adquisition or joint venture. Also Kojima Productiond could play a rol on new games like MGS , Silent Hill, etc...

But honestly do not see Sony buying something vs Microsoft adquisition. They just need to deliver a good God of War game and Horizont. Sony's IP are big on quality and quantiy similar to Nintendo ones..

So after all videogames always will be about exclusives....yep that sucks but also helps competition and improved games....
 
Elcid said:
Lol Sony doesn't need to do anything. Doest thou not remember the preorders that sold out in 5 minutes?
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MS just became a much stronger competitor. More gamers are going to buy Xbox consoles now that they have big exclusive games coming.
 
This is "I HAVE to buy an Xbox now" huge. Really huge.

Congratulations Microsoft.

After Microsoft started their Xbox One Backward Compatibility push I assumed Sony would respond - not on PS4 but on PS5. They have not.

Then they made what some would consider a tactical error by allowing Microsoft to have the GPU power advantage at the beginning of this generation. Although thanks to diminishing returns on that power it's not AS big a deal as the 720p vs 1080p issues at the beginning of last gen.... but if a 3rd party game is going to look even a little better for the same price (or less some are saying) I'm going to buy it for that box.

Microsoft is establishing that the game you purchase today will be playable on future machines if you're a collector. That's big for me.
Microsoft is also establishing a path with Game Pass others will find valuable... I see the value of trying games I might otherwise not give a chance. That's significant.

They're back on the radar at this house. I will be buying an Xbox Series X and likely buying all non-Sony exclusive titles for that box.
 
Bryank75 said:
Of course they can compete.

They don't have to use only cash.

Target the main 3 or so companies.... TakeTwo, Capcom and Square along with a smaller From acquisition.

Buy a large amount of TT stock to protect from MS acquisition and give some control in future decisions.
Buy Capcom and Square using cash, stock and debt (16-17 billion total)
Buy Kadowkawa with cash 1.5 Billion

Lets say that is 17-18 billion in cash and another 7-8 in debt and stock. That is the industry locked down.

They don't have the balls but I would try it.
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There's no need to be upset.

This kind of speculation of other peoples' money isn't good. Enjoy games and play games on your PS5. What's the problem?
 
As of June 30, 2020, SNE has $33B of cash on hand. ( According to macrotrends )

Obviously they don't have the deep pockets of a MSFT but MSFT is not led by its gaming division. On the other hand, Sony's revenue is driven by the PlayStation.
 
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Bryank75 said:
Of course they can compete.

They don't have to use only cash.

Target the main 3 or so companies.... TakeTwo, Capcom and Square along with a smaller From acquisition.

Buy a large amount of TT stock to protect from MS acquisition and give some control in future decisions.
Buy Capcom and Square using cash, stock and debt (16-17 billion total)
Buy Kadowkawa with cash 1.5 Billion

Lets say that is 17-18 billion in cash and another 7-8 in debt and stock. That is the industry locked down.

They don't have the balls but I would try it.
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I really wouldn't. You can't spend decades worth of operating profit to gain so little over what you have already. If you removed MS from this gen's sales equations Sony's install-base would rise by less than 50%! If you assumed a equal rise in operating profit (which is frankly, doubtful) then you would still be looking at an awfully long time to recoup the expenditure.

If I was Sony I'd go out of my way to lock-down franchises synonymous with Playstation historically. Make a deal with Konami to get MGS. Silent Hill, Castlevania etc. Same deal with SE, Capcom etc. Xbox is still going to do nothing in Japan next gen, so use that to leverage their position in Asian markets because as per usual MS has a myopic focus on franchises that dig great in NA, but less so elsewhere.
 
It helps to have a warchest on tap. I don't see them getting a huge one. Probably several studios. Remedy won't last long, I think...
 
ethomaz said:
They actually have cash to buy Take 2 not counting assets to be sold.
Around $20 billion in cash.
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And how much in liabilities? Do you have any idea how much making the PS5 and having to sell it at the Xbox dictated price is costing them?
I think Insomniac was Sony's main purchase for this generation. Like they said themselves, they called every major publisher and tried to secure exclusives. It turns out Microsoft was calling publishers and trying to buy their umbrella company.
 
I think Sony will sell out their PS5 units as they are shipped. So they won't care if things improve at Xbox, because they barely will be able to sell more units/increase their production.

In fact, even if it means future Zenimax games stop being released on PS and it means it has a positive important impact on Xbox hardware and service sales, it would be great news for the 3rd parties if this increases Xbox units sold or Gamepass subcribers, because this would mean more revenue for 3rd parties so they would be able to invest more in their multi games. Games that also going to be sold at PS5, which very likely will be the main platform for most of them and Sony will get the 30% of revenue from them.

So I think Sony won't react. Right now the distance between PS and Xbox in terms of consoles sold, games sold, paid subs and revenue in service is too big. Even if Xbox improves a lot they will still be behind. I assume Sony will continue with their already existing acquisition strategy, which probably means to buy someone who has a history with them like Bluepoint, Kojipro, Housemarque or maybe some other studio that matches their style like Remedy. I don't see them buying a big publisher.
 
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retsof624 said:
Sony doesn't need to respond. Their first party is just fine.
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Rean no Kiseki said:
Nothing.

I'd rather publishers stay independent and PlayStation is in no need for more western studios to be honest.
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Came here to say this.
MS just re-appeared on the gaming map with buying Zenimax and now has to bring the good quality games in the future to proof it was worth it (buying Rare for example has been a huge letdown for me personally).

But Sony doesn't have to react, they already had great quality games and studios before.
Hopefully now they'll use those strengths even more, knowing that MS is willing to do anything to catch up.
 
TheDreadLord said:
Does not matter if Bethesda games will still release on PlayStation. The point is, you will be able to play all these games using game pass. This is a much more sensible option than paying 70Usd for each game.
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Yeah, this will make paying 70$ for buggy mess a thing of the past. Thanks msft!
 
Bryank75 said:
They didn't respond to any of the past acquisitions... this is just laying down and getting run over. It's sad.
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I don't follow your logic. How are Sony laying down and getting run over?

+ Sony have engineered a console that developers love developing for
+ Sony have have found a way to make the console affordable even with it's alien tech
+ Sony are continuing to win hearts and minds of gamers - the PS5 reveal broke streaming numbers on youtube (the Zenimax megaton won't come close to the coverage that PS5 has received)

Oh, and you get Demon's Souls, and Horizon ZD and God of War sequels in the first year the console is around? Doesn't quite feel like laying down... Are acquisitions the measure of success?

If the PS5 significantly outsells the Xbox Series X/S globally, these Microsoft acquisitions will mean jack shit to exclusivity. Microsoft have hedged their bets on building a subscription-based ecosystem in Game Pass and will need years and hundreds of millions of subscriptions to make a dent in the investment. You don't get that by locking out two of the largest gaming platforms in the world with Playstation and Nintendo.
 
Bryank75 said:
I t would be fine if they actually were making proper exclusives..... if they are going to PC, they are worth much less.
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Your 2B-3B figure was way off heheh but you were right on target for the publisher. This acquisition will make it harder for Sony to acquire a big publisher. Capcom or Square now know there is a bidding war and will up their asking price significantly if Sony approaches them.

I still can get all that content on PC too but for single console owners (the overwhelming majority), a particular franchise could be a tipping point. It was a solid move provided they deliver quality content in the future.
 
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Ash Sparrow said:
You dont do it, you pretend nothing is happening. You dont want war with a grisly when you're a sheep. Sony fans you cant outspend MS that should be apparent. They decimated you in one day. why would you ask for more. Just do you, dont go to war you cant win.
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Are you 15? Lol. Some of you guys are study cases.
 
Bryank75 said:
95 billion vs 1.5 trillion

No need to exaggerate, it's already big enough a difference.
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I agree with you on what they need to do but I dont think they have the same ability to buy a company like Bethesda.

And will MS make the most of it? Like they done with Rare for example? There not exactly geniuses in buying companies and making the most of them.... Like EA in a way lol.

Sony probably think they are better off expanding there studios instead of buying bigger ones, a bit like how Nintendo does it.
And tbh Playstation studios are amongst the the best in the world and they grow it organically, Instead of buying studios And companies outright like MS can.
MS has bought companies and spent billions on Ninja Theory, Obsidian, and Bethesda. Nintendo buys no1, and Sony buys Insomniac.
We shall see what MS does with it. I know Gamepass money isn't gonna fund all these 23 studios to make blockbuster hits
 
Sony recently bought Insomniac. There is a cap in how much you can internally grow and build up teams and franchises. It takes a long ass time. Which is why acquisitions make sense in some cases. If Sony wants to stay ahead of the curve for the avalanche that's coming in 2022-2023-2024 from MS content wise and hit that 150 million console sold projection they better gear up now - to have the ammo ready for those years.
 
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SentientStone said:
This acquisition by MS doesn't really affect me since I am not into those type of games, but if this triggers Sony to muster a Rockstar, Capcom, Namco Bandai, or Konami IP acquisition then I would be happy. :)
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All due respect but Sony buying Rockstar as I keep reading is pure crazy talk. Take Two is valued at 18.7B USD, Sony is not even close to being able to afford it.
 
Well i dont think they NEED to do anything but i always would have liked a Paystation that could play Nintendo games (or vice versa). So, partner up with Nintendo would do the trick... But in all honousty: Sony does not have to do anything. FIFA, COD and all studio's that dont want to be ripped off by some Gamepass deal will stay at PC and PS5 (if PS5 will sell great)
 
Tie down Kojima, acquire Bluepoint and FromSoft. Then just continue building the teams they already have. They don't need to do anything major but after this megaton I think a little bit of beefing up is probably in order lol.
 
I think we are underestimating the masterful job that Sony might have already been engineering behind the scenes at their PlayStation Studios (in which I think the rebranding of the name helped signify). Sony is looking to expand their current studios and create more frequent content, this means quicker dev times and expanding studios. If the rumors are true, and everything that Sony has announced for PS5 is just their first year, we could see a first year in which:

Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Demon's Souls
Destruction Allstars
God of War 2
Horizon Forbidden West
Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart
Gran Turismo 7
Kena: Bridge of Spirits (second party)
Returnal
Godfall (second party)

All release.

This would be an insane first year that rivals the output of any studio in the world, even Microsoft with Bethesda. This is before any major new acquisitions, and on top of The Last of Us: Part 2 and Ghost of Tushima releasing only a few months ago. It is clear Sony has a massive production pipeline that they are filling to the maximum right now. I expect a few of these listed games to possibly hit 2022 (Returnal). But as of right now there are still rumored second development teams in many of their studios with unannounced games, these could be the second wave of games that they are waiting to announce for 2022 to solidify the PS5 as a market leader. And I believe that to be Uncharted 5 and whatever Guerilla's second team is working on.

Sony could still announce another acquisition that would bolster this output to levels that would cause the output to borderline on interfering with the content they already have. IMO they should focus on RPG's and multiplayer games if they decide to acquire more studios.
 
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Honestly, they should purchase Fall Guys.

That's even more big than Fallout nowadays IMO.
 
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I hope Sony does something. Fight to win over the consumer. I know PS5 will be huge, but gamepass just got a lot more enticing. I told this news to my best friend and his purchasing decision is set for next gen. And he's a PS guy like me.

I personally would like to see Sony spend money on something genuinely exclusive, and start propping up their Asian partners more. Why haven't we seen the usual next gen partners picture with those companies and devs promising to make games for the PS5? If the impossible does happen and say Atlus and Sega let Persona 6 go to Steam and Xbox, why would I want to stay just with PS? Outside of Project Athia and FF16 where are the smaller and other Jrpgs? Next Tales is coming to Xbox as well. I'm actually disappointed by Sony choosing to showcase Bugsnax and Goodby Volcano High over stronger Japanese support. I dunno man, Sony's westward lurch is there but I think MS is stronger (financially and friendly) with western devs, and now their First Party portfolio is going to be huge. I honestly don't see how Sony could even counter this.

If I were Sony I'd be careful. Losing a key historic partner could be devastating. If MS got FromSoft, Platinum, Sega or some other big get, I'd bail for greener pastures. Its already tempting what with the new Yakuza and DQXI S, but true new games would make me flip easy.
 
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Honestly, i wouln't think they need to buy a new studio, i think the more sensible solution would be assembling a new one for a genre they are missing. I would love a JRPG focuse studio or a Survival Horror focuse studio, base on japanese talen with the assist of WWS. Throwing a bag of cash to Kojima would be alright too, but i'm not talking just about my preferences here :messenger_tears_of_joy:
 
Do any of the acquired studios use UE? I guess they can increase their stake in Epic and deny them the engine, lol.
 
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This move was done to solidify Gamepass for when they transition Xbox from a box to a service. The proof is in how they handle future releases for the studios they bought which like Mojang should be multiplat. If they're exclusive to Xbox I'll be shocked.
 
I don't Think Sony needs to do anything. Outside of the first few years of the PS3 era they have run gaming. Let's stop overreacting, this will open doors for other smaller compaones to release a Skyrim style game that will fills holes. I 100% believe that at least 85% of Zeni titles will be on Ps anyways.

Sony could announce they are producing 30 million PS5 systems by Xmas and they'd all sell out, they have nothing to worry about right now. They are in the same boat as Nintendo, they have a built in userbase that is huge and they have the 1st party games that their gamers want.

people just love overreacting to news these days.
 
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