Microsoft is Buying Activision Blizzard $68.7B ***Update: Acquisition Finalized***

[Dizzy]

I'm just pointing out how the PS fan boys would always brag being able to play games that people with an Xbox couldn't. And if you think Sony wouldn't be doing the same that Microsoft is doing right now if they could afford it, then you have a lot of growing up to do.

No, you tried comparing Sony acquiring Naughty Dog to this lmao. Tell me about all those classic Xbox Naughty Dog games you’re missing out on now.

Talking about growing up while using third grade logic.

 

[Rational Poster]

I have never owned a Microsoft console because they don't offer me anything in terms of games or service that appeals to me. Even with Game Pass becoming increasingly more compelling I'm still not sold on it.

Agreed, $7000 of games for $120 is the worst value in gaming.

 

[SwamiLeoni]

I'm just pointing out how the PS fan boys would always brag being able to play games that people with an Xbox couldn't. And if you think Sony wouldn't be doing the same that Microsoft is doing right now if they could afford it, then you have a lot of growing up to do.

Sony had the money to do it. They're still the top gaming company by revenue even after MS acquired Activision / Blizzard. From what I've read, this places MS at 3rd. What MS severely lacks is any originality. It appears to me that they don't have the foresight Sony has had in the past when comparing their studio acquisitions. They seem to be buying studios with established IP's to own on their eventual cloud service. They want as many games on their platform as possible instead of investing in studios with those rare amazing offerings.

 

[Kona Bear]

I'm relatively new to the scene but 68 billion puts the 229 million Sony spent for Insomniac into perspective.

 

[jerzey devil]

Sony lost 20 billion in value after the Microsoft-Activision/Blizzard announcement: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/sony-drops-9-6-wake-001506944.html

 

[Madmick]

Influential sure. But it sucked. Halo 2 finish the fight sucked. Halo 3 with it's terrible sbmm and blah campaign also sucked.

One of the most overrated franchises of all time.

 

[Deadwing88]

 

[jerzey devil]

https://www.gamesradar.com/activisi...ut-before-selling-to-microsoft-report-claims/

And this article says Activision approached Facebook and another company as well.

 

[jojoRed]

Didn't you literally call halo multiplayer the best you've played in years.. lmao.

Because a game is only made up of the MP right? Its a great MP with loads of issues, such as the desync, horrible ranking issues such as no reconnect feature etc, no progression, etc.

The basic gameplay for the MP is good. The SP is meeeeeeeeeeh......

Its not even close to a GOW.

 

[Valhoven]

Sony had the money to do it. They're still the top gaming company by revenue even after MS acquired Activision / Blizzard. From what I've read, this places MS at 3rd. What MS severely lacks is any originality. It appears to me that they don't have the foresight Sony has had in the past when comparing their studio acquisitions. They seem to be buying studios with established IP's to own on their eventual cloud service. They want as many games on their platform as possible instead of investing in studios with those rare amazing offerings.

This is said well here if you wait out the opening remarks: (time to watch only 2m)

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Consider also below for perspective in differentiating the approaches between Sony and M/s. Not wanting to stoke and sputter but it's put poignantly, IMO:

​

 

[Steve-French]

Sony had the money to do it. They're still the top gaming company by revenue even after MS acquired Activision / Blizzard. From what I've read, this places MS at 3rd. What MS severely lacks is any originality. It appears to me that they don't have the foresight Sony has had in the past when comparing their studio acquisitions. They seem to be buying studios with established IP's to own on their eventual cloud service. They want as many games on their platform as possible instead of investing in studios with those rare amazing offerings.

What about Sony taking Major League Baseball, Spider Man, and now Final Fantasy and making that exclusive to their platform. They may publish the games, but those brands aren't their intellectual property.

I do get what you're saying, but they are still doing the same thing if they are making games that can only be played on their platform. They're just doing it in a different way.

Besides both the Playstation and the Xbox are going to be fine at this point; so all of this bickering is really a moot point. It's not like their all of the sudden isn't going to be anything to play.

I always thought the emphasis put on Sony's exclusives was overrated anyway. It's really only a handful of games in the big scheme of things.

 

[SaiWa]

I'm just pointing out how the PS fan boys would always brag being able to play games that people with an Xbox couldn't. And if you think Sony wouldn't be doing the same that Microsoft is doing right now if they could afford it, then you have a lot of growing up to do.

What you pointed is not the same though.

Aside from their first two games (developed for PC and one for Sega Genesis - both published by EA) Naughy Dog has primarily only made games for Sony up until the last port for PC. Naughty Dog got a contract through Universal Interactive Studios (who at the time was led by Mark Cerny - now lead PS designer for Sony) to make Playstation games and they were so good they got bought by Sony because UIS had financial issues.

Gof of War is a homegrown Sony game by Santa Monica. The main games were always developed in house by Santa Monica. And Santa Monica has never developed for anyone outside of Sony.

Comparing those franchises to what is happening with Activision Blizzard aren't even remotely close to the same thing. We are talking about first party games here. Would Halo or Gears of War ever show up on Sony or Nintendo platform?

Sony fanboys get to brag because Sony has managed to successfully foster and create super duper 1st party developers such as Naughty Dog and Insomniac. The proof is in the pudding. Go back in the last 12-15 years of GOTY awards and you'll find Sony game nominations almost EVERY year. At least one if not two nominations usually. Meanwhile there were crickets year in and year out from XBox game developers (until very very recently). The best example is Rare. They were game developing national treasures during their Nintendo years releasing smash hits after smash hits. They've been hit and miss (way more miss) since joining MS. Look at their last game Battletoads. A pitiful 72 critic score. Meanwhile Streets of Rage 4 (another sidescroller that was released the same) got solid to great reviews.

 

[SaiWa]

What about Sony taking Major League Baseball, Spider Man, and now Final Fantasy and making that exclusive to their platform. They may publish the games, but those brands aren't their intellectual property.

I do get what you're saying, but they are still doing the same thing if they are making games that can only be played on their platform. They're just doing it in a different way.

Besides both the Playstation and the Xbox are going to be fine at this point; so all of this bickering is really a moot point. It's not like their all of the sudden isn't going to be anything to play.

I always thought the emphasis put on Sony's exclusives was overrated anyway. It's really only a handful of games in the big scheme of things.

You are actually incorrect about Spiderman. Sony or Insomniac do not own the rights to Spiderman in video games. It still lies with Marvel. A deal was made and Insomniac developed Spiderman games. Before that it was all Activision developing across all platforms. From what i heard Marvel offered Sony to develop an exclusive game, Sony went to Insomniac, Insomniac agreed and Marvel literally told them to pick anyone they wanted. They chose Spiderman.

If Sony/Insomniac end up making shitty games Marvel can easily withdraw Spiderman and then offer it to someone else. And Spiderman can still appear in other video games platforms. Most recently Marvel vs Capcom Infinite fighting game which was cross platform.

 

[Cherry Brigand]

This is said well here if you wait out the opening remarks: (time to watch only 2m)

​

Consider also below for perspective in differentiating the approaches between Sony and M/s. Not wanting to stoke and sputter but it's put poignantly, IMO:

​

I wonder if maybe MS has a better understanding of what they're getting and why than some random schlub on the internet.

 

[Law Talkin’ Guy]

Facebook buying Activision would have suuucked. Can you imagine needing to link your Facebook and Battle.net accounts just to play Diablo II?

 

[Dizzy]

I wonder if maybe MS has a better understanding of what they're getting and why than some random schlub on the internet.

The same company that has ended every generation in last place?

 

[Zazen]

This is said well here if you wait out the opening remarks: (time to watch only 2m)

​

Consider also below for perspective in differentiating the approaches between Sony and M/s. Not wanting to stoke and sputter but it's put poignantly, IMO:

​

Sadly those things make the money though. There’s no doubt Sony has the more talented studios but casuals eat up stuff like Candy Crush and CoD. Sony should just work on its own military shooter

 

[Deadwing88]

In any case, I'm going to enjoy the deluge of IPs which will be coming to gamepass in the next 5 years..

Competition is good for the consumer, and this generation seemingly will have Xbox/Playstation/Nintendo at the very top of their game..

 

[SwamiLeoni]

What about Sony taking Major League Baseball, Spider Man, and now Final Fantasy and making that exclusive to their platform. They may publish the games, but those brands aren't their intellectual property.

I do get what you're saying, but they are still doing the same thing if they are making games that can only be played on their platform. They're just doing it in a different way.

Besides both the Playstation and the Xbox are going to be fine at this point; so all of this bickering is really a moot point. It's not like their all of the sudden isn't going to be anything to play.

I always thought the emphasis put on Sony's exclusives was overrated anyway. It's really only a handful of games in the big scheme of things.

San Diego Studio who makes MLB The Show was founded by ex-Sony employees and have always released their products as PS exclusives. Insomniac has been releasing PS exclusives for over 20 years. FF for the majority of its lifespan has been multiplatform with FF 13, 14 & 15 releasing on both consoles along with PC.

The difference here is that Sony is investing in these studios which carry great risks. New IP's especially. MS is going out and purchasing studios whose games have long histories of being multiplatform and making them exclusives. Why? They want to own the largest catalog available. And...they just don't have the creative juices to come up with compelling games that push people to their products. They're essentially using Game Genie, up up down down left right left right, a cheat code. I think there is a big difference in how they're conducting business.

As far as Sony's exclusives being overrated, I think that's a HUGE stretch. It's their #1 selling point, their #1 product. It's why they're so beloved.

On a side note, I will be picking up an XBSX at some point and will be subscribing to Game Pass. It's a hell of a deal and there will undoubtedly be first title releases that I'll want to play.

 

[Deadwing88]

This is said well here if you wait out the opening remarks: (time to watch only 2m)

​

Consider also below for perspective in differentiating the approaches between Sony and M/s. Not wanting to stoke and sputter but it's put poignantly, IMO:

​

That first clip would be true in 2018.. not in 2022 when it's abundantly clear that the culture has changed and Xbox first party as evidenced by last year is finally producing great games.

Anyway, I don't think Colin Moriarty and some random console warrior account from what I can see is the best representative to justify a point..