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[drganon]

Microsoft still contributes great games to this industry.

They now have more studios to execute it, thus raising their odds, probability, and statistics of achieving it.

You don't know what the word contribute means do you.

 

[Deleted member 848825]

Lmao holy shit John out there whispering the truth for anyone willing to hear it I guess

Linneman does know COD is fiction doesnt he? ABK aren't suddenly going to kidnap him! Are they? lol

 

[Heisenberg007]

is Mojang not subject to the 18-month contractor status? nothing in that article specifies they won't be subject to it, just that it sounds like they won't be rolled into XGS



position of privilege? what?

John:

 

[drganon]

Linneman does know COD is fiction doesnt he? ABK aren't suddenly going to kidnap him! Are they? lol

Bobby is holding his family hostage as we speak.

 

[Ass of Can Whooping]

is Mojang not subject to the 18-month contractor status? nothing in that article specifies they won't be subject to it, just that it sounds like they won't be rolled into XGS



position of privilege? what?

Pronouns Shill/Ambassador

 

[StreetsofBeige]

Buying a publisher and telling them to scrap the ps5 version is substracting, not adding.

That's actually half right. You can't subtract if a game has never been released yet to begin with.

So far, I don't think MS has ever stripped or delisted a released game that had already been selling on Nintendo or Sony platforms.

 

[Ar¢tos]

Idk if you consider Jagged Alliance 3 indie, but it's freaking awesome.

Looks interesting, but I don't have a PC.

 

[Varteras]

is Mojang not subject to the 18-month contractor status? nothing in that article specifies they won't be subject to it, just that it sounds like they won't be rolled into XGS



position of privilege? what?

John:

A position of privilege?? John, baby, just tell us who is writing your paychecks. That you have to censor an opinion over companies you don't work for tells us all we need to know how much of a knee you're bending. You can't expect people to believe your work is free of bias when you say shit like that.

 

[adamsapple]

is Mojang not subject to the 18-month contractor status? nothing in that article specifies they won't be subject to it, just that it sounds like they won't be rolled into XGS



position of privilege? what?

Doesn't go into specifics but we can use examples of employee reviews working at Zenimax as reference, eg this one is someone working 5+ years on contract.

Zenimax operates independently, like they say Activision will, doesn't seem like they are bound to the MS 18 month policy.

Been here 5+ years (contract included) and from other industries, the benefits, pay and perks all seem amazing comparatively

 

[StreetsofBeige]

And why is that exactly?

Probably the thing where you get blacklisted from game companies. Game sites and YT content creators rely so much on game companies given them info and preview copies they'll do just about thing to keep the gravy train coming. And not just games but advertising money.

That's the one good thing about movie critics. There's really nothing to go on except trailers everyone sees. So they can just grill a movie giving it zero stars if they want.

Oddly, you'd think movie companies would deny them early access to movies blacklisting any critic who is too harsh. But for whatever reason the head honchos at head office don't care if critics all give thumbs down and all movie critics live to watch another day. But in gaming they do care. Gamespot and Jeff Gertsman debacle is a great case.

 

[graywolf323]

Doesn't go into specifics but we can use examples of employee reviews working at Zenimax as reference, eg this one is someone working 5+ years on contract.

Zenimax operates independently, like they say Activision will, doesn't seem like they are bound to the MS 18 month policy.

hmm possibly though since they say contract included that doesn't mean all 5+ years have been on contract + reference how the QA department unionized so it's seems to me they're likely now a full-blown employee

That's actually half right. You can't subtract if a game has never been released yet to begin with.

So far, I don't think MS has ever stripped or delisted a released game that had already been selling on Nintendo or Sony platforms.

the spin is strong with this one

Makes sense some games will be exclusive.

But hey, give MS credit. They bought Minecraft and Bethesda and there's been zero change so far. All existing games still going on, still being sold and even the existing marketing deals (Deathloop) still went through. Even Fallout 76 is coming to PS+ in Jan according to a leak, and so did Skyrim lately.

Cant say the same for Sony. When they buy someone, they go 100% PS. Look at Insomniac's game history. They made multiplat games, PC games and a slew of PC VR games. They even made some mobile games way back. After their big PS1-PS3 deals, Insomniac actually dabbled across many platforms and released more PC/VR/mobile stuff than PS games. The second Sony bought them, even all their PC VR games came to a halt. It's 100% PS5 only now according to their Wiki page.

so then this isn't subtraction right? you've said before that it's better that MS buys than Sony because Sony will make things go 100% PS

ironically since then MS has been the one to make things go 100% Xbox (including renegotiating deals when possible as we discovered with Indiana Jones) while Sony (through Bungie) is the one still releasing an upcoming game on Xbox

 

[Three]

They have already said Activision will continue to operate independently. Microsoft's internal 18 month contractor status is not applicable to them.

Activision will operate separately on a post-merger basis, Microsoft says

Activision Blizzard King's creative operations 'will remain separate and continue to operate' undisturbed on a post-merger basis, MSFT lawyers say.

www.tweaktown.com

They said the same crap about Zenimax:

The acquisition closed in early 2021 a while ago, that's not what this is. Also:

Yet they went in and told them what to do then fired a bunch of people afterwards anyway after saying there wouldn't be any cutbacks. People also left.

 

[Deleted member 848825]

Probably the thing where you get blacklisted from game companies. Game sites and YT content creators rely so much on game companies given them info and preview copies they'll do just about thing to keep the gravy train coming. And not just games but advertising money.

Then perhaps he shouldn't have said anything at all....

 

[StreetsofBeige]

Then perhaps he shouldn't have said anything at all....

Sounds reasonable.

But you know creative types using social media for attention.

Got to get those clicks.

 

[MarkMe2525]

That's a single AAA product cycle from conception to release.



Most veteran devs think about setting up independently because the process of corporate dev is gruelling and often not creatively rewarding. Generally people don't get into the business to be a cog in a machine, which once headcounts and money gets big enough is what it turns into.

Also its dilemma, not "delima".



No. Generally speaking the hirer will make a pitch to the applicant as to the sort of product they'll be working on if they get far enough to be given serious consideration (NDA stage), because they want to get a sense of whether they are legitimately enthusiastic or just looking for a big IP to add to their resume.

Hiring someone who's only going to stick around for a year is just creating a problem down the line.



Again, its fundamentally a creative business and attracts people with a creative mindset. Its not just product development where you can stack-rank based on productivity or performance. If talented people feel stifled or disregarded by the prevailing corporate culture they will leave. You can't just hire a bunch of all-stars or veterans and expect things to work out wonderfully, look at what (didn't) happen with The Initiative!

If Xbox was so skilled at fostering talent they would have built more and acquired less. Period.

Maybe if you keep telling yourself that big bad Xbox is going lose everyone, you can get through this "dilemma".

 

[Topher]

That's actually half right. You can't subtract if a game has never been released yet to begin with.

So far, I don't think MS has ever stripped or delisted a released game that had already been selling on Nintendo or Sony platforms.

You absolutely can subtract a game in development for a platform. That is what Bitmap Frogs was talking about and he was right.

 

[RedC]

2019: With all these studios now, Xbox is making its comeback.

2021: With Microsoft owning Zenimax now, Xbox is making its comeback.

2023: With Microsoft owning Activision now, Xbox is making its comeback.

"Next year. Just you wait and see".

Look up all the studios that were acquired and when. Then look up what video games that were currently under contract for multiplatform and DLC or timed PS5 exclusive they had to fulfill before finally moving onto new game projects that were exclusive to Xbox/PC.

Then look at how long video game production cycles have increased during that time.

Here's some help:



It's almost as if you're being disingenuous with this argument

What people fear, in particular Sony. is when all these studios are fully assimilated and synergized with Microsoft, focused on quality Xbox/PC exclusives, and operating on all cylinders at peak efficiency.

This won't happen overnight.

However, let's see where Xbox is in 2033.

 

[Varteras]

Look up all the studios that were acquired and when. Then look up what video games that were currently under contract for multiplatform and DLC or timed PS5 exclusive they had to fulfill before finally moving onto new game projects that were exclusive to Xbox/PC.

Then look at how long video game production cycles have increased during that time.

Here's some help:



It's almost as if you're being disingenuous with this argument

What people fear, in particular Sony. is when all these studios are fully assimilated and synergized with Microsoft, focused on quality Xbox/PC exclusives, and operating on all cylinders at peak efficiency.

This won't happen overnight.

However, let's see where Xbox is in 2033.

"Next year decade".

 

[Topher]

However, let's see where Xbox is in 2033.

 

[Varteras]

 

[drganon]

Look up all the studios that were acquired and when. Then look up what video games that were currently under contract for multiplatform and DLC or timed PS5 exclusive they had to fulfill before finally moving onto new game projects that were exclusive to Xbox/PC.

Then look at how long video game production cycles have increased during that time.

Here's some help:



It's almost as if you're being disingenuous with this argument

What people fear, in particular Sony. is when all these studios are fully assimilated and synergized with Microsoft, focused on quality Xbox/PC exclusives, and operating on all cylinders at peak efficiency.

This won't happen overnight.

However, let's see where Xbox is in 2033.

So we've gone from "wait till next year" to " wait till the next decade".

Edit : you stole my joke Varteras.

 

[Vox Machina]

You absolutely can subtract a game in development for a platform. That is what Bitmap Frogs was talking about and he was right.

Games usually don't start platform-specific development until late into their production, unless they're specifically made for more esoteric platforms. Most games are basically just PC games for the vast majority of their dev. cycle.

 

[RedC]

"Next year decade".

You're still slowly but surely going to witness the fruits from the studios that were acquired pre-Activision Blizzard during the 2nd half of this generation.

 

[Heisenberg007]

So we've gone from "wait till next year" to " wait till the next decade".

Edit : you stole my joke Varteras.

 

[Topher]

Games usually don't start platform-specific development until late into their production, unless they're specifically made for more esoteric platforms. Most games are basically just PC games for the vast majority of their dev. cycle.

Eh....no idea if that is true or not. I'm not a game dev. Beside the point either way.

 

[drganon]

You're still slowly but surely going to witness the fruits from the studios that were acquired pre-Activision Blizzard during the 2nd half of this generation.

 

[RedC]

The funny thing is you all are reinforcing why Microsoft acquired studios and publishers in order to create more content in a much quicker time and not rely solely on building studios from scratch due to how much TIME it would take in this day and age.

 

[RedC]

 

[Vox Machina]

Eh....no idea if that is true or not. I'm not a game dev. Beside the point either way.

Is it? Is it possible to cancel a version of a game that never existed?

 

[Varteras]

You're still slowly but surely going to witness the fruits from the studios that were acquired pre-Activision Blizzard during the 2nd half of this generation.

Based on their management, I wouldn't hold my breath.

 

[Three]

The funny thing is you all are reinforcing why Microsoft acquired studios and publishers in order to create more content in a much quicker time and not rely solely on building studios from scratch due to how much TIME it would take in this day and age.

The funny thing is you are enforcing why MS should have funded some third parties to create good games for xbox instead of waiting a decade for these acquisition 'fruits' anyway.

 

[graywolf323]

Is it? Is it possible to cancel a version of a game that never existed?

yes, we know they canceled the PS5 version of Redfall from Arkane themselves and from the court case that Microsoft renegotiated the deal regarding Indiana Jones effectively canceling the PS5 version of that game

but keep spreading that FUD and living up to your tag

 

[Heisenberg007]

Is it? Is it possible to cancel a version of a game that never existed?

Redfall's and Starfield's PS5 versions did exist, by the way.

Existed =/= Released.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

"Arcane Never Misses™"

 

[Topher]

Is it? Is it possible to cancel a version of a game that never existed?

Of course devs can cancel a version of a game.

 

[Vox Machina]

yes, we know they canceled the PS5 version of Redfall from Arkane themselves and from the court case that Microsoft renegotiated the deal regarding Indiana Jones effectively canceling the PS5 version of that game

but keep spreading that FUD and living up to your tag

Redfall I'll give to you, Indiana Jones is an interesting case too because of the specifics of the contract. Does Blizzard's survival game have a Playstation version while it's in concept/pre-production though?

edit: And don't be jealous of my tag. Only up, bro!

Of course devs can cancel a version of a game.

When Sony makes games exclusive to Playstation, are they cancelling the Xbox version?

 

[Topher]

When Sony makes games exclusive to Playstation, are they cancelling the Xbox version?

 

[yurinka]

that is why i asked. Because Sony paid 1/3 just to retain Bungie's talent.

Well, Bungie is a somewhat special case, because workers had a good chunk of the stocks.

Normally the average worker of an acquired studio doesn't get any money for an acquisition, or get only a little, or only a few execs get money from it. So normally the bonuses clauses to continue in the acquired studio for at least a few years are applied only to a few key individuals.

In this case the Bungie workers had a ton of stocks, so a lot of them earned a shit ton of money with the acquisition, something that isn't common. And for the average worker, to earn a lot of money from that makes very appealing to retire or move away to create their own business. So they had to spend more money than usual to make sure they don't leave.

 

[RedC]

The funny thing is you are enforcing why MS should have funded some third parties to create good games for xbox instead of waiting a decade for these acquisition 'fruits' anyway.

They still are funding third parties to make games for Xbox.

I'll help you out:

https://twitter.com/XboxPublishing

 

[Vox Machina]

Was the question difficult to understand? Would you like me to rephrase?

 

[Varteras]

Redfall I'll give to you, Indiana Jones is an interesting case too because of the specifics of the contract. Does Blizzard's survival game have a Playstation version while it's in concept/pre-production though?

edit: And don't be jealous of my tag. Only up, bro!



When Sony makes games exclusive to Playstation, are they cancelling the Xbox version?

Are you saying Microsoft falsified documents in court to show they canceled PS5 versions of games?

 

[Heisenberg007]

"Arcane Never Misses™"

 

[Vox Machina]

Are you saying Microsoft falsified documents in court to show they canceled PS5 versions of games?

No, not at all. What I'm saying is don't be surprised if games that are in some level of development at ABK right now that come out on Xbox/PC only, and that there's a difference between not releasing on a potential target platform and cancelling a version.

 

[Topher]

Was the question difficult to understand? Would you like me to rephrase?

Nah I'm just amazed that you actually typed that nonsense.

 

[Vox Machina]

They still are funding third parties to make games for Xbox.

I'll help you out:

https://twitter.com/XboxPublishing

These don't count, because reasons.

Nah I'm just amazed that you actually typed that nonsense.

I tailor my content to the target audience, what can I say?

 

[tryDEATH]

Get ready for the flip flopping as games release every game that isn't a success will be blamed on MS and every game that has success will be attributed to the dev's prior to the buy out. You can't lose an argument if you play both sides that's called intellectual honesty in this thread.

 

[Varteras]

No, not at all. What I'm saying is don't be surprised if games that are in some level of development at ABK right now that come out on Xbox/PC only, and that there's a difference between not releasing on a potential target platform and cancelling a version.

Canceling a version of a game mid-development, halting any further releases of a franchise on a platform it is historically found on, and that multiplatform publisher never again releasing new IP on a platform they pretty much always did, is all the same result. Arguing otherwise is splitting hairs.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

Well, Bungie is a somewhat special case, because workers had a good chunk of the stocks.

Normally the average worker of an acquired studio doesn't get any money for an acquisition, or get only a little, or only a few execs get money from it. So normally the bonuses clauses to continue in the acquired studio for at least a few years are applied only to a few key individuals.

In this case the Bungie workers had a ton of stocks, so a lot of them earned a shit ton of money with the acquisition, something that isn't common. And for the average worker, to earn a lot of money from that makes very appealing to retire or move away to create their own business. So they had to spend more money than usual to make sure they don't leave.

so, even if sony didn't pay for talent retention per se, a lot people would have made a ton of money anyway due to the nature of lot of workers having stock?

what i am asking is if MS is paying for talent retention specifically or is only going to apply for those who have stock or/and some key higher-up executives/devs?

 

[Topher]

These don't count, because reasons.



I tailor my content to the target audience, what can I say?

 

[reinking]

The funny thing is you all are reinforcing why Microsoft acquired studios and publishers in order to create more content in a much quicker time and not rely solely on building studios from scratch due to how much TIME it would take in this day and age.

They acquired studios and publishers to acquire more content in a quicker time. Not create it.