Well all know the trials and tribulations that Xbox went though to acquire Activision Blizzard last year, but the whole ordeal doesn't seem to have put Microsoft off from potentially bringing more teams on board. In a new interview with Bloomberg, Xbox boss Phil Spencer said that the company still "wants to be in the market" for new talent in the future.
More specifically, Phil expressed that deals which could add "geographic diversity" to Team Xbox could still be worthwhile for Microsoft. While none of this is "imminent" right now, it seems that Team Green hasn't given up on the idea of more developer acquisitions going forward.
"We definitely want to be in the market, and when we can find teams and technology and capability that add to what we’re trying to do in gaming at Microsoft, absolutely we will keep our heads up,"
While more potential investment in Xbox sounds like a good thing on paper, we can't help but feel a little disheartened by the 'geographic diversity' comment here. Bloomberg even adds some context to this by saying "including in Asia" - where Hi-Fi RUSH developer Tango Gameworks was let go by Microsoft earlier this year.
Of course, we don't know the full economics behind the Tango closure (fortunately the team was picked up anyway), we just hope that Xbox takes a more considered approach to acquiring teams after this year's studio shutdowns. More Xbox talent is good, we just want it to be sustainable for Microsoft's gaming business in the long run.
What do you make of Xbox potentially buying more studios? Tell us your thoughts down below.
[source bloomberg.com]
Comments 17
Geographic diversity especially in Asia? Confirmed: Microsoft to acquire Fntastic, The Day Before 2 greenlit.
It shouldn't be a surprise that they are still going to be acquiring more teams. They likely won't ever see anything remotely comparable to the abk deal. I would expect everything to be much much smaller. They wouldn't see any type of ftc backlash on a "normal" acquisition.
@MeanBeanEgg I just played Ghostwire and while it was only a good 7/10 game, it had very impressive tech. Plus Hi-Fi was so much fun with an IP that could definitely make a lot of money off tv/movies. Why on earth would you close that studio only to acquire more studios?
They should acquire more IPs like Tomb Raider, Mortal Kombat which it would be far less problematic with regulators, especially since Trump won the election.
This is the last thing they need. They still haven’t reached a consistent output from the studios they have now.
Just f*cking pathetic statements he’s given in that interview, the next Asian studio they buy it’s gonna get closed shortly after, stay the f*ck away from them please.
I know Sony owns part of it but I'd love them to buy fromsoftware that would make me feel happy!
After what happened to Tango I'd say the studios of Asia are not interested in being bought. Deals and partnerships sure, but acquisitions never.
The only thing Phil Spencer loves more than acquiring studios is shutting them down.
I read an article a few weeks after Tango was closed that suggested too many key people left and that's why Microsoft didn't want them anymore.
I know that in other industries, if key talent leave it can completely shift the entire business.
I just really wanted to get The Evil Within 3
What they say
What you should hear
It could be said that the size of the ABK deal was an element that led them to publishing multi platform games. I'm not sure buying up more studios is the thing to want as it's just bring the move to being a publisher closer.
So… make acquisitions, close studios, lay people off and then repeat?
Why not keep the teams you already paid for?
I never thought I would say this, but please stay away from Japanese developers. Keep fostering better ties so we can keep getting Japanese games, but after Tango leaving Japanese studios in the hands of Japanese is for the best. Same for Korean studios, Chinese, etc etc
ms please put out more than 1-2 good memorable games per decade before eating up more studios, jesus
I don't think that big Western companies like Microsoft can do creative work, so even if they buy Japanese studios, I'm sure they'll just end up destroying the culture.
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