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[quest]

It's kind of sad how the Xbox side has just become acquisition watching and wishlisting instead of demanding games out of Xbox's many existing studios

They are releasing 5 first party games 2023. You expect more than that?

You forget the styling and profiling when sony was on a moneyhar world tour.

Report: Sony Contacted All Major Third Parties for Exclusivity Deals, Offered More Money Than Microsoft

Report: Sony Contacted All Major Third Parties for Exclusivity Deals, Offered More Money Than Microsoft Kinda Funny’s Imran Khan said: There isn’t a major third party out there Sony failed to approach asking what kind of deals they could work out. Some had content, some had games, some had...

www.neogaf.com

 

[Thirty7ven]

Im listening to the ABK block section and I cannot believe this guy has any sort of clout. Ignorant and inarticulate, you can tell he gets his info from Google quick search.

 

[Slikk360]

Not sure why anyone would want ABK bought up. What happens after the 10 year deals, No one will know the state of gaming or Microsoft / Xbox who will be in charge by then

 

[gothmog]

As I stated in another thread almost all of Sonys big studios were bought.

Yep Sony also has a development pipeline to enjoy those acquisitions immediately. That's my whole point. Fix your pipeline, pull studios into it, and acquire the best. Xbox now has a pipeline, roadmap, and some semblance of control over delivery dates. Beats throwing out dares and then delaying them.

 

[SolidQ]

Microsoft, first need start make AAA at least one game with good graphic, but nothing on horizon, only bla bla bla from Phil

 

[Spitfire098]

As I stated in another thread almost all of Sonys big studios were bought.

Despite Bungie, which studio did Sony buy that already had a massive 3rd party presence on competeting platforms? The studios that Sony both became big due to the management PS has.

 

[tmlDan]

Jez wouldn't know about acquisitions, just like other insiders claiming sony was buying square from what they heard....this kind of stuff won't get leaked.

He is literally grasping at anything to save his precious company

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

MS just fucked up another generation. Congratulations I guess.

 

[bluecowboys]

Why xbox fans are excited only about aquisitions and not games?

Acquisitions means games.

Bethesda released hi fi rush and in a few days red fall. Also later this year star field.

Obsidian release grounded and pentiment. Next year avowed is coming out.

Later this year or early next year Hell blade 2 is coming out.

Those are the studios that MS acquired recently and more to come if MS keeps acquiring studios.

Also, there is game pass where we not only get new games but all of the older games as well.

 

[ABnormal]

Acquisitions means games.

Bethesda released hi fi rush and in a few days red fall. Also later this year star field.

Obsidian release grounded and pentiment. Next year avowed is coming out.

Later this year or early next year Hell blade 2 is coming out.

Those are the studios that MS acquired recently and more to come if MS keeps acquiring studios.

Also, there is game pass where we not only get new games but all of the older games as well.

Are you kidding? Those are all games which would have came out on XBox anyway (except MAYBE Avowed, because we don't know if it was already on multiplatform work before acquisition). What games are you blabbering about? That's just seizing IPs from competitors, not creating new games to launch on the market.
"Wooohooo, MS is launching Starfield and several other games!!! Finally they are starting to bring the games!!!" Yeah, great job. How skilled they were to be able to DEVELOP so many eclusive games...
Without IPs acquisition, they would not even have more excusive to launch anymore, aside the usual trinity.

 

[bluecowboys]

Are you kidding? Those are all games which would have came out on XBox anyway (except MAYBE Avowed, because we don't know if it was already on multiplatform works before acquisition). What games are you blabbering about? That's just seizing IPs from competitors, not creating new games to launch on the market.
"Wooohooo, MS is launching Starfield and several other games!!! Finally they are starting to bring the games!!!" Yeah, great job. How skilled they were to be able to DEVELOP so many eclusive games...
Without IPs acquisition, they would not even have more excusive to launch anymore, asede the usual trinity.

Yes, but they won't be on game pass day one as well as the older games. Not to mention they are using MSFT money therefore MSFT takes all the risk and all the rewards. Just business.

 

[quest]

Are you kidding? Those are all games which would have came out on XBox anyway (except MAYBE Avowed, because we don't know if it was already on multiplatform works before acquisition). What games are you blabbering about? That's just seizing IPs from competitors, not creating new games to launch on the market.
"Wooohooo, MS is launching Starfield and several other games!!! Finally they are starting to bring the games!!!" Yeah, great job. How skilled they were to be able to DEVELOP so many eclusive games...
Without IPs acquisition, they would not even have more excusive to launch anymore, asede the usual trinity.

Sure how many years later would those zenimax games come out on xbox 1,2,3 years later? Also you think Obsidian entertainment had money for a big AAA rpg after they were struggling to make AA games? If Sony wanted to try and content starve Microsoft by moneyhat every zenimax game Microsoft should have every right to a aquire zenimax to stop that. Blame sony for that plain and simple poke the bear and don't cry about being bit.

Also any exile game coming out is thanks to Microsoft

InXile boss Brian Fargo is so happy about the Microsoft deal he canceled his retirement

Fargo said that being a Microsoft studio will give inXile more money and time to make its games.

www.pcgamer.com

 

[Kumomeme]

multiple aquisitions that fans would have loved

as fans, i would love if they just focused to properly manage their current studios.

dont add pile of stuff that they cant guarantee to able to handle.

 

[Deleted member 471617]

I kind wanted ABK deal to go through, specially if it meant that MS would stay away from acquisitions for a good while (at least big ones)

The ABK deal going through means more big acquisitions even though I don't see them getting EA or Take Two either way. A Capcom, Sega, Ubisoft, etc., those I can see. Personally, I never wanted ABK but I do want a lot more studios. In my opinion, Microsoft needs at least 50 studios not including if they have multiple teams/studios like Arkane for example.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

Acquisitions means games.

Bethesda released hi fi rush and in a few days red fall. Also later this year star field.

Obsidian release grounded and pentiment. Next year avowed is coming out.

Later this year or early next year Hell blade 2 is coming out.

Those are the studios that MS acquired recently and more to come if MS keeps acquiring studios.

Also, there is game pass where we not only get new games but all of the older games as well.

let it go bro. Xbox is so done is not even funny.

 

[ABnormal]

Yes, but they won't be on game pass day one as well as the older games. Not to mention they are using MSFT money therefore MSFT takes all the risk and all the rewards. Just business.

Being on gamepass has nothing to do with the point "acquisition is about having games". If the main point is to have tons of games that you wont buy unless there for free, that would be the moment to stop and reflect about the value of life time.
And gamepass itself is harmful from the point of view of striving to excel producing games, but that's OT.

 

[Shadowstar39]

How about no... None of this. They have enough studios. Stop trying to money hat everything it's pathetic and arrogant. You people don't get new games you wouldn't get. All you are doing is blocking other console owners from buying games. It's childish and frankly ridiculous as you are supposed to be adults. Inflation is through the roof, most people (outside the apparently well off and rich on this forum), don't have the money or have wives and families so buying all the systems not an option.

Screw consolidation as it's a bane to the industry. Why are you people rooting for more of it, and do you all get paid by Microsoft? So many shills for them it's insane.

Oh and if this was about game pass you know ms. Could just pay to have games on it. No need to buy studios. All that does is block gamers, but people don't care it's all console wars bs and trolling. MS isn't helping, with their pathetic tweets about the UK.

 

[bluecowboys]

Being on gamepass has nothing to do with the point "acquisition is about having games". If the main point is to have tons of games that you wont buy unless there for free, that would be the moment to stop and reflect about the value of life time.
And gamepass itself is harmful from the point of view of striving to excel producing games, but that's OT.

Games coming to game pass is about having games for gamers. Almost nobody in real life can afford all the new games that come out. That is why if all the new games come to game pass, us gamers win at the end of the day while you lose.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

Games coming to game pass is about having games for gamers. Almost nobody in real life can afford all the new games that come out. That is why if all the new games come to game pass, we gamers win at the end of the day while you lose.

then you are unable the see the full picture.

 

[ABnormal]

Sure how many years later would those zenimax games come out on xbox 1,2,3 years later? Also you think Obsidian entertainment had money for a big AAA rpg after they were struggling to make AA games? If Sony wanted to try and content starve Microsoft by moneyhat every zenimax game Microsoft should have every right to a aquire zenimax to stop that. Blame sony for that plain and simple poke the bear and don't cry about being bit.

Also any exile game coming out is thanks to Microsoft

InXile boss Brian Fargo is so happy about the Microsoft deal he canceled his retirement

Fargo said that being a Microsoft studio will give inXile more money and time to make its games.

www.pcgamer.com

Of course they are doing something, but as in the last gen, they are not showing ANY serious interest or commitment towards concrete gaming development or investing on it.
Please take a look on reality, instead of blurting out your personal (and biased) conspiracy fantasies. Sony, at the worst, moneyhatted for IPs which never sold significantly on Xbox, and IPs that moreover come out every several years, not yearly (for example FF16 or SH2 Remake).
MS has had several generations and still they never invested significant money on gaming development nor in gathering and growing talent to do so. Quoting what I wrote before:
"They are simply inept at it. And probably not even interested to bring something to the market. Just try to imagine what 70 billions means from the point of view of gaming development: it is said that GTA5 is the costlier game even created (some say 500 millions). Taking that as a reference, with 70 billions MS could have FIVE games per year of that level of production, for nearly twenty years (3 full generations). But they are really not interested on bringing something to the market: just acquiring it and monopolizying it from other competitors.
Why bother becoming good and competitive with your ability and long-developed know-how, if you have the money and you can directly buy the market and already-successful IPs?"
And that's all. How in the world someone could support their doing nothing and only seizing IPs is explainable only by being clueless or miserable, starving for some kind of fake win, even through cheating.

 

[quest]

Of course they are doing something, but as in the last gen, they are not showing ANY serious interest or commitment towards concrete gaming development or investing on it.
Please take a look on reality, instead of blurting out your personal (and biased) conspiracy fantasies. Sony, at the worst, moneyhatted for IPs which never sold significantly on Xbox, and IPs that moreover come out every several years, not yearly (for example FF16 or SH2 Remake).
MS has had several generations and still they never invested significant money on gaming development nor in gathering and growing talent to do so. Quoting what I wrote before:
"They are simply inept at it. And probably not even interested to bring something to the market. Just try to imagine what 70 billions means from the point of view of gaming development: it is said that GTA5 is the costlier game even created (some say 500 millions). Taking that as a reference, with 70 billions MS could have FIVE games per year of that level of production, for nearly twenty years (3 full generations). But they are really not interested on bringing something to the market: just acquiring it and monopolizying it from other competitors.
Why bother becoming good and competitive with your ability and long-developed know-how, if you have the money and you can directly buy the market and already-successful IPs?"
And that's all. How in the world someone could support their doing nothing and only seizing IPs is explainable only by being clueless or miserable, starving for some kind of fake win, even through cheating.

They are growing the small studios they bought. Just because you think it takes zero time to turn financially struggling AA studios into large AAA studios doesn't make it true.

New inXile office shows studio growth

Posted by Blaze_ATX on Reddit, we now have pictures of inXile's new office building in Tustin, California. inXile has just finished Wasteland 3 and is now

xboxera.com

 

[DeltaPolarBear]

Is there a list of these companies? I thought it'd be more companies like toyota, sony and nintendo.

It is an ancient law put in place after Japan surrendered post WW2. There was a fear that foreigners would run into the crippled nation and buy up all the vital industries, so if a forign entity want to more than 10% of a Japanese business, they need to notify the Japanese Government and get their approval first.
One news item about the law

And here is the actual law. Relevant part is Section V. Note that the law was first drafted in Dec of 1949. Just 4 years after surrender.
Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act
In theory gaming companies are not "essential businesses". But going through the bureaucracy is still a headache.

 

[ABnormal]

Games coming to game pass is about having games for gamers. Almost nobody in real life can afford all the new games that come out. That is why if all the new games come to game pass, us gamers win at the end of the day while you lose.

Are you fourteen years old? Can't you realize what the implications are if less money is spent on gaming market? Do you think games are developed by magic?

Maybe I'm strange, but I always bought only those games that I REALLY wished to play, and cherished the preciousness of the rest of my life time on other, selected things.

This concept of filling time with a bunch of games that you wouldn't buy unless free is sad and harmful for the industry at the same time. But I can see the target of this strategy.

 

[ABnormal]

They are growing the small studios they bought. Just because you think it takes zero time to turn financially struggling AA studios into large AAA studios doesn't make it true.

New inXile office shows studio growth

Posted by Blaze_ATX on Reddit, we now have pictures of inXile's new office building in Tustin, California. inXile has just finished Wasteland 3 and is now

xboxera.com

Please, they are buying IPs, not investing on game development. Can't you even see reality? Of course they can invest some crumbs on a previously failing studio, but did you see how in the last ten years they had no breakthrough with any of their acquired studios? (aside those of Forza, who showed some serious skill, in the last games - so much that they even not seem MS studios).
They are throwing impossible sums of money for IPs, that would had supported the development of incredibly big and daring games for 20(!) years, if they were really interested in that.

 

[Corndog]

Yep Sony also has a development pipeline to enjoy those acquisitions immediately. That's my whole point. Fix your pipeline, pull studios into it, and acquire the best. Xbox now has a pipeline, roadmap, and some semblance of control over delivery dates. Beats throwing out dares and then delaying them.

Xbox does need to fix their problems. That's a fact.
I'm just stating Sony has gotten most of its studios by acquisition.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

I haven't thought about this topic in depth, but even if you are the biggest Xbox fanboy in the entire universe, having just 0.0000001% of a functional brain you will not be able to deny all the mistakes they have made (and continue to make)

listening to this podcast and another commentators....i was like:


"Oh yeah Xbox's recurring incompetence... nothing new, but xbox keeps making money so whatever"

to:

"Oh shit this is fucking serious, the doom and gloom talk is totally granted"

pray to all gods RedFall reaches at least 80 on meta just to act as Pressure relief valve. if not...these couple of weeks of "doom and gloom" are going to climax in a disgusting display of sadomasochism.

Xbox is really in a fucked up position. now i understand that naruto guy that got banned. he knows deep inside how bad the future looks; so , in his mind there is no other option: That acquisition MUST be approved.

Xbox's biggest enemy is time (and for all of us)....And if Play Station doesn't miss a beat these couple of years....is going to get nasty.

 

[ZehDon]

... pray to all gods RedFall reaches at least 80 on meta just to act as Pressure relief valve. if not...these couple of weeks of "doom and gloom" are going to climax in a disgusting display of sadomasochism...

Based on everything we've seen and heard about Redfall, I'm fully prepared for Redfall to be Xbox's biggest failure so far. In my eyes, Starfield is the first real chance they have to change the current narrative. That's only 5 months away...

 

[bluecowboys]

Are you fourteen years old? Can't you realize what the implications are if less money is spent on gaming market? Do you think games are developed by magic?

Maybe I'm strange, but I always bought only those games that I REALLY wished to play, and cherished the preciousness of the rest of my life time on other, selected things.

This concept of filling time with a bunch of games that you wouldn't buy unless free is sad and harmful for the industry at the same time. But I can see the target of this strategy.

Wow rude much. I never insulted you once, but I guess thats just how you are . Game pass isn't free and generates money. Now niche games or games that are risky can make money. You can also still buy the game full price.

 

[El Pistolero]

Based on everything we've seen and heard about Redfall, I'm fully prepared for Redfall to be Xbox's biggest failure so far. In my eyes, Starfield is the first real chance they have to change the current narrative. That's only 5 months away...

When are Redfall reviews dropping? Isn't the game supposed to be coming out in the next few days?

 

[Stare-Bear]

GoW: Ragnarok reportedly cost $200million to develop. With that $70billion that Microsoft wants to spend they could make 350 AAA games.

They don't even have 1 that looks as good as God Of War.

 

[ZehDon]

When are Redfall reviews dropping? Isn't the game supposed to be coming out in the next few days?

Two days from today - 2nd May, 2023. Bethesda's review policy, I believe, is embargos lift day of release.

 

[Heisenberg007]

When are Redfall reviews dropping? Isn't the game supposed to be coming out in the next few days?

Yep, releasing in 2 days.

Not 100% sure, but IIRC, reviews are only allowed on launch day, not before launch.

 

[Brigandier]

GoW: Ragnarok reportedly cost $200million to develop. With that $70billion that Microsoft wants to spend they could make 350 AAA games.

They don't even have 1 that looks as good as God Of War.

Edit - how I do math

When you put it that way that's absolutely absurd, especially when not every game needs to cost 200m... You could be looking at 500 AAA next gen game developments with that silly money.

 

[Nothing1234]

So did Bungie.

Then they sold to the first guy who offered them $3 billion.

From is currently valued at $850 million. Sony owns like 5% of it. If MS comes and offers $2 billion, you think anyone will say no?

CD Project was valued at $5 billion once. Down to $2 billion now. If someone comes and hands them a check for $5 billion, the guys at the top will become billionares overnight.

Industry consolidation is a very bad thing and both MS and Sony have enough money to fuck it all up for the rest of us.

Sony own 14%, Tencent own 16% and Kadakowa own 70% of From Software, not happening. When From Software needed money it's telling they went to Asian companies and not Microsoft.

 

[Nydius]

Assuming Corden is accurate and not just making stuff up, it's much worse than just missing out on potential acquisitions. Microsoft will be under a microscope by regulators for a while after this and any potential future acquisition, even a small one, will face a lot more scrutiny than it would have prior to this entire flustercuck.

 

[Methos#1975]

Why would any Japanese studio want to be bought by MS? People keep saying that MS should buy one without realizing that any Japanese studio bought is at that point pretty much dead. There isn't one Jaoanese studio that doesn't see the majority of their fanbase on the Switch and PS. The Xbox brand is virtually nonexistent in Japan and buying a Japanese studio isn't going to change that and it's likely the Japanese completely boycott any studio bought by MS. I mean there isn't a reality out there where taking games from the Switch and PS where the majority of Japanese gamers play is going to endear MS to them. How does this truly benefit anyone? Jaoanese developed games are a sales desert on the Xbox.

 

[StealthGoblin]

There exists a world outside of GAF and fanboys. What I said was perfectly accurate.

The general population doesn't know or care about acquisitions and therefore aren't in a position to cheer them on.

It's pure fanboyism.

 

[StealthGoblin]

GoW: Ragnarok reportedly cost $200million to develop. With that $70billion that Microsoft wants to spend they could make 350 AAA games.

They don't even have 1 that looks as good as God Of War.

And it's always worth pointing out that having spent north of $70b on studios and publishers, the expected yearly Revenue Is expected to take them to approximately what PlayStation makes.

Per dollar invested, Sony make a much greater return.

Given Microsoft's immense resources, how long they've been in the industry and how long Phil has been in positions of power (particularly 1st party development) they should be doing much better. It's all down to poor management. Marketing and localisation have been big areas of weakness as they've had some great games and franchises.

Pivoting to services is more their wheelhouse and is wise for them to do. As for Sony we'll have to wait and see. I'm expecting some teething issues with their GAAS games and their cloud initiative could take a long time.

 

[Tommi84]

If they went with Asobo NOONE WOULD SAY ANYTHING. It would make perfect sense for them, but nooo... they wanted something big!! Good for you, MS, you played yourself

 

[Riky]

They are releasing 5 first party games 2023. You expect more than that?

You forget the styling and profiling when sony was on a moneyhar world tour.

http://[URL][URL]https://www.neogaf...ls-offered-more-money-than-microsoft.1560435/

[/URL][/URL]

Yes despite the doom and gloom agenda from people Microsoft are delivering the games this year, we're approaching our third coming into May and Hi Fi Rush was fresh and spectacular.
Hellblade 2 will lead the UE5 charge and that's a massive leap over anything else graphically and shows the difference between next gen and last gen ports with a 60fps option.
They have a raft of UE5 games coming so graphically they will be at the top of the industry and The Coalition working on UE5 with Epic, I expect the likes of Perfect Dark and Gears to look incredible.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

I haven't thought about this topic in depth, but even if you are the biggest Xbox fanboy in the entire universe, having just 0.0000001% of a functional brain you will not be able to deny all the mistakes they have made (and continue to make)

listening to this podcast and another commentators....i was like:


"Oh yeah Xbox's recurring incompetence... nothing new, but xbox keeps making money so whatever"

to:

"Oh shit this is fucking serious, the doom and gloom talk is totally granted"

pray to all gods RedFall reaches at least 80 on meta just to act as Pressure relief valve. if not...these couple of weeks of "doom and gloom" are going to climax in a disgusting display of sadomasochism.

Xbox is really in a fucked up position. now i understand that naruto guy that got banned. he knows deep inside how bad the future looks; so , in his mind there is no other option: That acquisition MUST be approved.

Xbox's biggest enemy is time (and for all of us)....And if Play Station doesn't miss a beat these couple of years....is going to get nasty.

Time is definitely working against them. They're at a point where this is turning into a lost generation and the thing with lost generations, there is no guarantee a subsequent generation will prove viable. Look at the Saturn and the Dreamcast. Sega did a lot of things right with the Dreamcast, but they couldn't get beyond the failures of the Saturn. The Saturn sold 9.26 million units but the Dreamcast only sold 9.13, despite significant improvements across the board for them.

If the Series S/X sales slow to a crawl, I don't see 50+ million lining up for the next xbox.

If Redfall is sub 80 on metacritic, it's going to be a VERY bad summer for Xbox.

If I'm Microsoft, I pull a u turn now and drop the purchase of ABK, instead buy CDPR and build around them and Bethesda/zenimax. The longer they hold on to ABK, which isn't going to happen, the worse off it will be for Xbox this generation. They should at least make attempts to have Witcher remake and Witcher 4 be Xbox exclusive.

 

[Heisenberg007]

Assuming Corden is accurate and not just making stuff up, it's much worse than just missing out on potential acquisitions. Microsoft will be under a microscope by regulators for a while after this and any potential future acquisition, even a small one, will face a lot more scrutiny than it would have prior to this entire flustercuck.

They bit more than they could chew with ABK.

 

[Edmund]

What about the revenge fantasies I've been reading from Resetera that MS will go scorched earth and make Sony regret by buying Capcom/SE/Take 2/EA with that 70 Billion? Where are they now?

 

[Heisenberg007]

Time is definitely working against them. They're at a point where this is turning into a lost generation and the thing with lost generations, there is no guarantee a subsequent generation will prove viable. Look at the Saturn and the Dreamcast. Sega did a lot of things right with the Dreamcast, but they couldn't get beyond the failures of the Saturn. The Saturn sold 9.26 million units but the Dreamcast only sold 9.13, despite significant improvements across the board for them.

If the Series S/X sales slow to a crawl, I don't see 50+ million lining up for the next xbox.

If Redfall is sub 80 on metacritic, it's going to be a VERY bad summer for Xbox.

If I'm Microsoft, I pull a u turn now and drop the purchase of ABK, instead buy CDPR and build around them and Bethesda/zenimax. The longer they hold on to ABK, which isn't going to happen, the worse off it will be for Xbox this generation. They should at least make attempts to have Witcher remake and Witcher 4 be Xbox exclusive.

Meh, it's the same thing, just on a smaller scale. This strategy is inherently flawed.

Will Xbox get the Witcher Remake? Yes.
Will Xbox get The Witcher 4? Yes.

Why spend billions of $$ then, onboard over 1,000 employees, increase management burden, and increase monthly operating costs? All just to stick it to Sony and minimize PlayStation games?

This is a flawed strategy. It hasn't worked for Microsoft yet, and it won't work in the future.

They need to use their money better.

Sony hasn't done this yet, and they are significantly more successful than Xbox. The proof is in the pudding. Just follow that blueprint.

 

[MasterCornholio]

Meh, it's the same thing, just on a smaller scale. This strategy is inherently flawed.

Will Xbox get the Witcher Remake? Yes.
Will Xbox get The Witcher 4? Yes.

Why spend billions of $$ then, onboard over 1,000 employees, increase management burden, and increase monthly operating costs? All just to stick it to Sony and minimize PlayStation games?

This is a flawed strategy. It hasn't worked for Microsoft yet, and it won't work in the future.

They need to use their money better.

Sony hasn't done this yet, and they are significantly more successful than Xbox. The proof is in the pudding. Just follow that blueprint.

Also doesn't CDPR have a store called GOG?

That could affect the analysis of the acquisition.

 

[bentanchorbolt]

The general population doesn't know or care about acquisitions and therefore aren't in a position to cheer them on.

It's pure fanboyism.

My guy this stuff isn't a secret. It's all over the news and games are more popular than ever. Anyway, I guess we disagree. Moving on.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

Meh, it's the same thing, just on a smaller scale. This strategy is inherently flawed.

Will Xbox get the Witcher Remake? Yes.
Will Xbox get The Witcher 4? Yes.

Why spend billions of $$ then, onboard over 1,000 employees, increase management burden, and increase monthly operating costs? All just to stick it to Sony and minimize PlayStation games?

This is a flawed strategy. It hasn't worked for Microsoft yet, and it won't work in the future.

They need to use their money better.

Sony hasn't done this yet, and they are significantly more successful than Xbox. The proof is in the pudding. Just follow that blueprint.

They need a boost of a high-quality exclusives AND they need to buy themselves time to produce more on their own.

Buying CDPR accomplishes that.

It took YEARS for Sony to be a competent 1st party production company. Microsoft doesn't have this time. They don't have the IP either.

 

[StealthGoblin]

My guy this stuff isn't a secret. It's all over the news and games are more popular than ever. Anyway, I guess we disagree. Moving on.

It's only in the mainstream news when something big happens. Then it goes away. Your average gamer doesn't know or care. Then take that out into the broader population and then even fewer people know or care.

These vocal Xbox and PlayStation acquisition fanboys are in a very very very small minority.

At my place of work I'd say 1/3 of people play games. 1/5 would say they are dedicated gamers. I'm the only one who knew about the ABK deal and that's the biggest deal gaming has ever had. Hell, I'm the only one who actually knows who ABK is.

That's anecdotal but I imagine that isn't uncommon.

 

[Heisenberg007]

They need a boost of a high-quality exclusives AND they need to buy themselves time to produce more on their own.

Buying CDPR accomplishes that.

It took YEARS for Sony to be a competent 1st party production company. Microsoft doesn't have this time. They don't have the IP either.

Bro, they had time. They have been trying to do this since 2018. It's been 5 years since they resumed their efforts, and they should have had lots of AAA games by now.

It's their management that they need to fix, first and foremost. Adding 1,000 more staff members (who are already terribly managed) is not going to help the cause.

Just one recent example:

• Hellblade released in 2017. And Ninja Theory started developing Hellblade 2. Xbox acquired Ninja Theory in 2018. Hellblade 2 is still MIA with no release date in sight.
• Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order released in 2019. Respawn start working on the sequel after that. And they have already released Star Wars Jedi Survivors this week.

The issue is the poor management. Otherwise, Microsoft would have got Hellblade 2 in 2022, if not 2021.

Same goes for Fable (wrong team) and Avowed (rebooted) and Perfect Dark (50% team left) and Everwild (rebooted). And they would have solved their exclusives problem that you're referring to.

 

[Varteras]

Bro, they had time. They have been trying to do this since 2018. It's been 5 years since they resumed their efforts, and they should have had lots of AAA games by now.

It's their management that they need to fix, first and foremost. Adding 1,000 more staff members (who are already terribly managed) is not going to help the cause.

Just one recent example:

• Hellblade released in 2017. And Ninja Theory started developing Hellblade 2. Xbox acquired Ninja Theory in 2018. Hellblade 2 is still MIA with no release date in sight.
• Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order released in 2019. Respawn start working on the sequel after that. And they have already released Star Wars Jedi Survivors this week.

The issue is the poor management. Otherwise, Microsoft would have got Hellblade 2 in 2022, if not 2021.

Same goes for Fable (wrong team) and Avowed (rebooted) and Perfect Dark (50% team left) and Everwild (rebooted). And they would have solved their exclusives problem that you're referring to.