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[quest]

Stan Lee developed a game? What a man of many talents. what part of 'Home grown games' don't you get. Should I change it to Ratchet for your sensibilities?

It's a bought IP period. Sony did nothing to create it same with wolverine. No different than Microsoft buying a ip. Hopefully wolverine won't be such a rock steady clone.

 

[Ozriel]

Oh my sweet summer child.

Warzone won't be going exclusive, I agree. But mainline Call of Duty release and probably most other new releases will be going Xbox/PC exclusive. It's coming. You don't spend 70b dollars to keep things the same.

You don't understand the difference between 'xbox/Pc exclusive' and 'Gamepass Exclusive'?

 

[jshackles]

Just like the deal with Bethesda, the implications of this acquisition are going to be far-reaching - but likely won't be fully realized by Microsoft until the next generation starts. They'll continue making the games they're under contract to (namely, Call of Duty) and Microsoft will make a huge amount of money selling them for the next few years on PlayStation as they're contractually obligated to do so. By the time these contracts run out, we will be pretty far into the current generation of hardware. Right now, a lot of people are entrenched in the PlayStation ecosystem and this move is Microsoft's long term strategy to try and change that.

When Microsoft announces the next Xbox, I expect there will be a huge marketing push centered around showcasing their first party games that will only be playable on Xbox: Call of Duty, Halo, Forza, Elder Scrolls, Tony Hawk, etc. In fact, I suspect strongly that we'll see this as soon as late 2024 - where Microsoft will introduce a new more powerful console to market while phasing out the Series S and turning the Series X into the cheaper "entry point" console. (similar to last gen's "Pro" hardware refresh). Hardcore gamers will be looking to replace their "aging" 2020 technology by then, and Microsoft's new software lineup (and Game Pass) will be a compelling reason for a lot of people to trade in their PS5s for a Series Z.

 

[Three]

It's a bought IP period. Sony did nothing to create it same with wolverine. No different than Microsoft buying a ip. Hopefully wolverine won't be such a rock steady clone.

Sony created the Spiderman game with insomniac. Again what's that got to do with sombody bringing up insomniac in game studio acquisitions when defending Penellos incorrect point?

Apart from Nintendo, "home grown" games are on the platform through acquisition if you go back far enough. I get ATVI is a big purchase but buying studios to bring IP internal is pretty much how it works.

Now explain to me how Sony buying insomniac is a case of "home grown games" being on the platform through acquisitions (they hadn't bought them) and how Sony bought Insomniac 'to bring the IP internal' .

They didn't and you know it but you'd rather argue some other nonsense.

 

[SteelCurtain 59]

So besides the games, studios, and IP, did Activision-Blizzard own anything else of note that's going to get lost in all the commotion? I know of Battle.net, MLG, and Blizzcon all being owned by Microsoft now, are there any other random things that they owned that might get ignored in a conversation like this? Any tech or engines of note, or really anything?

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

 

[splattered]

This is 1000% exactly what needs to happen, and i keep seeing people say will never come to be. Have faith people... and patience. Cause it's gonna take a while to come to fruition. But the results should be worth the wait.

 

[TGO]

Let's look at the bright side of this.
You'll no longer have to hear people bitching about how the newest Cod sucks anymore.
Now it'll be the best game ever made...every year

 

[SteelCurtain 59]

Guitar Hero coming back (with the original guitar configuration, and without the Guitar Hero TV gimmick) would be amazing. I used to play those games all the time, and the new one just wasn't good at all.

But in general, seeing not only some of those old Activision/Blizzard games getting more love, but also stuff like Toys for Bob being able to have access to Rare's old IP and other forms of studios being able to work together on different IP. There's a lot of potential excitement besides just the heavy hitters

 

[oldergamer]

Let's look at the bright side of this.
You'll no longer have to hear people bitching about how newest Cod sucks anymore.
Now it'll be the best game ever made...every year

I hope they make it better somehow.

 

[oldergamer]

Guitar Hero coming back (with the original guitar configuration, and without the Guitar Hero TV gimmick) would be amazing. I used to play those games all the time, and the new one just wasn't good at all.

But in general, seeing not only some of those old Activision/Blizzard games getting more love, but also stuff like Toys for Bob being able to have access to Rare's old IP and other forms of studios being able to work together on different IP. There's a lot of potential excitement besides just the heavy hitters

Did Toys for bob work on the last crash game?

 

[Banjo64]

Based on what? Is sunset overdrive still in the store and on gamepass? It is?

Don't Microsoft have the publishing rights to Sunset? If so, there's sweet fuck all that daddy Sony can do.

I'm going to miss rhe triggered reactions

Don't worry fam, I got you.

 

[Sosokrates]

It's a bought IP period. Sony did nothing to create it same with wolverine. No different than Microsoft buying a ip. Hopefully wolverine won't be such a rock steady clone.

I have a feeling wolverine is going to be a more gritty and personal experience, think the bathroom scene in splinter cell conviction. I also dont think it will be open world either, which is a good thing imo.

 

[Three]

Don't Microsoft have the publishing rights to Sunset? If so, there's sweet fuck all that daddy Sony can do.

Insomniac own the IP. There are other examples too if you think it's only because they can't.

Now think of an excuse for this one:

Buy The Persistence | Xbox

The Persistence challenges you to survive aboard a doomed starship, overrun with horrific and murderous abberations. Explore, evade and fight your way through the depths to bring the craft home.

www.xbox.com

 

[Banjo64]

Insomniac own the IP. There are other examples too if you think it's only because they can't.

Now think of an excuse for this one:

Buy The Persistence | Xbox

The Persistence challenges you to survive aboard a doomed starship, overrun with horrific and murderous abberations. Explore, evade and fight your way through the depths to bring the craft home.

www.xbox.com

Hell if I know. The Persistence is such a huge game they'd seriously dent Microsoft's income by removing it from the store.

 

[Bladed Thesis]

You don't understand the difference between 'xbox/Pc exclusive' and 'Gamepass Exclusive'?

I do understand the difference. As I already said, I wasn't aware he was arguing for a Gamepass exclusive. I agree, its insanity to think something would go Gamepass exclusive.

 

[Three]

Hell if I know. The Persistence is such a huge game they'd seriously dent Microsoft's income by removing it from the store.

Well sunset isn't a huge seller either but that's not the point is it. The point is that stuff isn't removed from the competing store after acquisition and that persons take was based on absolutely nothing.

 

[saintjules]

 

[ChuckeRearmed]

 

[NickFire]

Talk about a plot twist. I was expecting the sleeping Sony giant to wake up. Never imagined Nadler would come out from under his bridge instead.

 

[Banjo64]

Does this lard arse even know the amount of verbal diarrhoea that members of Congress spout on a daily basis? About 99% of what comes out of their mouths doesn't come to pass. Do I think Microsoft's lawyers have done their due diligence? Yes.

 

[Halo is Back]

Of course someone had to do the Hitler rant parody:

Spoiler

"At least this will be the end of Kotick"

xD

That meme never gets old. I wonder how the director feels about its meme status lol.

 

[ZywyPL]

That meme never gets old. I wonder how the director feels about its meme status lol.

There's probably a parody for that too, "Downfall creator discovers he made Hitler a popular meme" or something ;p

 

[Ozriel]

Based on what? Is sunset overdrive still in the store and on gamepass? It is?

So what are you basing these dumb takes on?

I'll just point out that this example isn't a good one, since Sunset Overdrive was published by Microsoft. Sony can't pull it even if they wanted to.

 

[3liteDragon]

 

[SportsFan581]

Poor guy is desperate for attention as always. LOL

 

[splattered]

Don't worry guys, the acquisition will get shot down to send a loud and clear message and then 30 days later Sony will announce their own acquisition of Activision and the approval will be expedited by all of the Blue... errrr Democrats who would prefer Sony is in control of the Call of Duty franchise which their own children just so happen to be very fond of playing on their Gamestation 5's. Just kidding.

 

[Effigenius]

There are also protectionism issues, especially after what happened to Nokia following the MS takeover. King is based in Europe, so its not like the bloc doesn't have skin in the game.

If that's the sticking point, I imagine MS will compromise and keep all King games multiplatform, lol.

 

[SportsFan581]

Don't worry guys, the acquisition will get shot down to send a loud and clear message and then 30 days later Sony will announce their own acquisition of Activision and the approval will be expedited by all of the Blue... errrr Democrats who would prefer Sony is in control of the Call of Duty franchise which their own children just so happen to be very fond of playing on their Gamestation 5's. Just kidding.

Nah, they want Tencent to have it because why have a US company growing when you can cede another market to China. I shouldn't joke, knowing our government this is a real possibility.

 

[Three]

I'll just point out that this example isn't a good one, since Sunset Overdrive was published by Microsoft. Sony can't pull it even if they wanted to.

And the other self published example I gave?

 

[BootsLoader]

Well ubisoft and take two are not Japanese so if I was sony I'd make it a priority getting hold of one of them.

Well, that's another story. Take two would be a nice acquisition.

 

[adamsapple]

I haven't seen a single Xbox fan or fanboy say what Jason is talking about lol

 

[SportsFan581]

I haven't seen a single Xbox fan or fanboy say what Jason is talking about lol

I 100% don't think the deal will be blocked, so, I guess I'm one. I wouldn't go as far as saying it isn't going to be scrutinized, but the end result of that will be an all clear, IMO.

 

[dem]

Is Jason Schreier the biggest doofus in gaming?

 

[Ozriel]

I haven't seen a single Xbox fan or fanboy say what Jason is talking about lol

I wouldn't read much into it. Jason's usual definition of 'fanboy' is someone who dares disagree with him.

After his fragile ego took a major hit for failing to predict the Activision acquisition, this just seems like a desperate attempt to insert himself into the narrative.

 

[SteelCurtain 59]

I'm not saying companies never make mistakes or that they're infallible, but I feel like Microsoft's legal team would've looked at this with like every possible scenario and felt confident in their chances of it being approved. And I can't imagine Microsoft wouldn't have some of the best lawyers money can buy. I would be shocked if this didn't go through

 

[MonarchJT]

This makes tons of sense and is something I've echoed many times when discussing why these huge acquisitions are often not as important as they seem and are essentially "buying the past."

If this article is true it's clearly explaining this effect. People leaving to do other things, work on other titles, etc. Microsoft can't buy people, and indeed MS as a company simply attract the best talent in the industry. They don't want to work there (this is a software engineer thing). So when these buyouts occur not only do they now have studios to support, they have to get those studios to regularly produce content, and they can't stop people from just leaving and going to do something else. It happens all the time in software acquisitions. If Activision wanted to sell they simply didn't see much of a future for themselves. So it's right there in black and white. Activision themselves saw no way forward. They wanted to sell. So MS just engaged in the largest buyout ever for a company that actually saw no future for itself, i.e. bought the past. It's very simple. If Activision saw no real future for themselves, how is MS spending a cool 70 bil smart, and how are they going to actually turn that around?

I'm definitely looking forward to seeing how this turns out. I really think it's going to be yet another Skype, Nokia, etc.

Though I have to actually laugh at Grubb writing that Activision engaged in "civil rights violations" of its employees. Good grief.

i think it will gone taking min 30% of Sony marketshare

 

[adamsapple]

 

[Halo is Back]

 

[Effigenius]

This makes tons of sense and is something I've echoed many times when discussing why these huge acquisitions are often not as important as they seem and are essentially "buying the past."

If this article is true it's clearly explaining this effect. People leaving to do other things, work on other titles, etc. Microsoft can't buy people, and indeed MS as a company simply attract the best talent in the industry. They don't want to work there (this is a software engineer thing). So when these buyouts occur not only do they now have studios to support, they have to get those studios to regularly produce content, and they can't stop people from just leaving and going to do something else. It happens all the time in software acquisitions. If Activision wanted to sell they simply didn't see much of a future for themselves. So it's right there in black and white. Activision themselves saw no way forward. They wanted to sell. So MS just engaged in the largest buyout ever for a company that actually saw no future for itself, i.e. bought the past. It's very simple. If Activision saw no real future for themselves, how is MS spending a cool 70 bil smart, and how are they going to actually turn that around?

I'm definitely looking forward to seeing how this turns out. I really think it's going to be yet another Skype, Nokia, etc.

Though I have to actually laugh at Grubb writing that Activision engaged in "civil rights violations" of its employees. Good grief.

CoD has been the best selling game every year for like the last 13 years. MS doesn't really need them to grow. As a company, Activision was trying to grow because that's what stockholders demand. MS is perfectly fine with them delivering the best selling game to them every year as an exclusive and inherriting their humongous library of games to put on gamepass.

You can call it 'buying the past' but look at syndication deals for stuff like Seinfeld and Friends. The past can be very profitable.

 

[ChuckeRearmed]

Don't worry guys, the acquisition will get shot down to send a loud and clear message and then 30 days later Sony will announce their own acquisition of Activision and the approval will be expedited by all of the Blue... errrr Democrats who would prefer Sony is in control of the Call of Duty franchise which their own children just so happen to be very fond of playing on their Gamestation 5's. Just kidding.

Dems will fight against not having military shooter on Playstation

 

[splattered]

Dems will fight against not having military shooter on Playstation

Yeah i was just being a smart ass. Though i know a lot of Dem/Liberal gamers that absolutely love the Call of Duty series. They LOVE shooting stuff, just not in real life.

 

[ManaByte]

Shut the fuck up Jason. Someone really needs to dig up his shitlord forum posts and put that guy in his place.

 

[jshackles]

What is that on the controller buttons? Teeth?

 

[reksveks]

What is that on the controller buttons? Teeth?

Hands picking up fries

 

[reksveks]

Bit weird to put it out there

 

[Bladed Thesis]

Where does the Nadler tweet talk about antitrust like Jason has been harping about for the last few days?

Nothing.

 

[Godot25]

Of course this deal would be a scrutinised. It their job for fuck sake.

But i literally can't see an argument that will prevent it to go through. Not when Disney was allowed to buy almost everything without a peep.

Microsoft is 3rd in "console race" revenue-wise. And even after purchase they will be behind Sony.
They have smallest volume of consoles sold out of big three.

Probably only way this deal could be derailed is if they will try to see it in lens of cloud gaming. Somehow.

 

[roosnam1980]

Bit weird to put it out there

WHOA

 

[Memorabilia]

Sony never put nearly the resources they are putting into their current crop of AAA titles into these games let alone what would be required for a big FPS.

You might as well say uncharted won't be successful because Syphon Filter didn't have that much market penetration.

Most of this does just come down the talent and budget.

CoD sales numbers absolutely dwarf everything out there including Uncharted. Although I understand the analogy, it's not relevant and "putting resources behind a product" in no way guarantees anywhere close to CoD success. A far better analogue would be looking at Battlefield which does fine and for a brief period of time looked as if it might challenge CoD but, alas, they fell back to earth. Point being, even if Sony were able to put equal FPS talent and resources towards a CoD competitor, that's a far cry from any guarantee of sales/success.

If the talented crew at DICE can't compete with nearly endless EA resources what makes you actually believe Sony can somehow recreate CoD lightning in a bottle? I just don't see it and I think you're essentially underplaying the sheer dominance of CoD out of Playstation loyalty.

Chances are the best Sony can expect would be to modestly improve on the success of a Killzone Shadowfall (which had plenty of development resources and was quite fun, I might add).