Microsoft buys several studios for first party games

[RuneDK]

"I spend an excessive amount of money on multiple systems even though I likely don't play all three and certainly not to an equal degree while supporting exclusives that harm the industry as a whole because I'm a massive tool".

Or I can afford it and don't give other people shit for doing it...I'm an enthusiast when it comes to my computer...and consoles are for myself and my son...but yea...if that's how you take it sure...but I like games and the investments aren't too much to me personally..

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Exclusives are good for the industry, which is why it's a good thing MS is putting an effort into acquiring studios(even if 3 of them don't particularly excite me). Outside of exclusives it's pretty rare to see developers have the freedom and time to create original IPs, original ideas and good stories. You have to go to the indy game realm for a comparison and that wouldn't be a good one.

Most of the big 3rd party publishers are in the business of making safe bet games and following trends. They don't take the risks platform holders do because even if the project itself loses them money they can still chalk it up as a loss leading strategy that brought people into their ecosystem.

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One thing about EA Access, would it have existed on Xbox One if the Game Pas had existed at that time?

You could say yes, but I see no mention of the upgraded "origin access premier" coming to Xbox One and seems to be only on PC. MS got cold feet on it now that they have their own competing "sub for games" service?

You have a great point....I won't even argue that. However, Sony saying no without letting their consumer base choose is what's a really dumb decision and is anti-consumer. At least say sure, let your consumers utilize or not....either way it puts the choice in their hands.

[Ealyssa]

I don't expect much. Microsoft has all but washed their hands of the Xbox division at this point. Shareholders have wanted it gone for years now.

Nice crazy wonderland you're living in.

[slavetoKadie]

Should be interesting to see what this will be like.

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Perhaps there will be more events like this.

[GennGreymane]

Nice crazy wonderland you're living in.

Some people want only one video game company to buy from, because there is no way that would ever turn out badly for consumers...

[Remilia]

To be honest, as a share holder (yes I do hold some Microsoft stock), I would prefer Microsoft not purchase studios and incur more expense and cut into profit. None of the studios are big purchases anyways, relatively speaking, so next quarterly report shouldn't be a huge dip in earnings.

As a gamer I'd like to see what they do with it and if they can get their 1st party line up and running. Just don't pull a rare please.

[Video Games]

Came back from a funeral, can you all chill out and get back on topic...

Why and how are you always doing something

[Zephyr Storm]

I'm afraid I can't be jealous that your Mommy and Daddy buy you everything. That's what you do for dumb, spoiled kids.

No, it's called being an adult with a good paying job so that I can afford to buy whatever I want. But I wouldn't expect you to understand any of that.

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Is Xbox popular in the Europe?

Not nearly as popular as the PS4 this gen. Xbox has always been more of an American thing.

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Can Microsoft buy EA and take all its titles? I mean lesser evil thing.

There was a rumor floating around not all that long ago about how MS was supposedly in talks with EA to buy them out. I think it was around the time that EA was catching hell for the Star Wars: Battlefront 2 nonsense and their stock prices dropped.

I highly doubt it would ever happen though.

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While I think MS has dropped the ball in numerous areas since the catastrophic reveal...They have done tons of good things and what people want them to do...and continually catch shit for it...It's actually hilarious...Sony has blocked cross-play, the argument will be that well MS blocked it last gen so get bent, which is sad for today's world of connectivity....Think of where we were technologically when this happened...and then think of where we are now...Two VERY different times...and it hasn't even been that long. Then denying EA Access....and despite anyones love or hate for EA...that's an anti-consumer choice...they should have been on board with it and let their consumer base decide if it was worth it or not. Yet sony continually gets praise like they actually give a shit about you....Sony's UI still sucks, and they're slow to the game to get features people want...but it's okay cause it's sony.

I've pointed out stuff like this before, but it usually gets met with extreme opposition on MMO-C. There's simply more Sony supporters on here.

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Nice crazy wonderland you're living in.

I still can't get over how SOOOO many people think that MS is bowing out of the console market after this current gen is over. MS themselves proved that wrong when Phil Spencer announced at E3 that they are most definitely working on the next Xbox console. Are people really that naive?

Also, do those same people not realize that MS bowing out of the console market would actually be a BAD thing? It would basically give Sony free reign to do whatever the hell they wanted and in the end, it would most likely hurt consumers.

[Jtbrig7390]

I still can't get over how SOOOO many people think that MS is bowing out of the console market after this current gen is over. MS themselves proved that wrong when Phil Spencer announced at E3 that they are most definitely working on the next Xbox console. Are people really that naive?

Also, do those same people not realize that MS bowing out of the console market would actually be a BAD thing? It would basically give Sony free reign to do whatever the hell they wanted and in the end, it would most likely hurt consumers.

In my opinion (Don't take this as bashing Microsoft) they bowed out of the console market the moment they made it where if you buy a game digital you also own it on PC and now they got this push they are doing with there netflix style of gaming.

That isn't a bad thing and its very consumer friendly (and cheap), But really they went the steam route but the other way around.

I honestly would not be surprised if come next gen for Xbox they go the 100% digital only route with there system. With all of that said I do agree them not being in the market is a bad thing. Competition breeds innovation and a 3 person show (Nintendo,Sony,MS) is a much better one then a two person show.

I really interested in what all three company's are doing next gen.

The funny thing is Microsoft has done what they said they wanted to do at the start of XB1. They went 99.9% digital and not the full 100%, I really wouldn't be surprised if Xbox 2 has no blu-ray drive at all.

[Zephyr Storm]

In my opinion (Don't take this as bashing Microsoft) they bowed out of the console market the moment they made it where if you buy a game digital you also own it on PC and now they got this push they are doing with there netflix style of gaming.

That isn't a bad thing and its very consumer friendly (and cheap), But really they went the steam route but the other way around.

I honestly would not be surprised if come next gen for Xbox they go the 100% digital only route with there system. With all of that said I do agree them not being in the market is a bad thing. Competition breeds innovation and a 3 person show (Nintendo,Sony,MS) is a much better one then a two person show.

I really interested in what all three company's are doing next gen.

The funny thing is Microsoft has done what they said they wanted to do at the start of XB1. They went 99.9% digital and not the full 100%, I really wouldn't be surprised if Xbox 2 has no blu-ray drive at all.

It honestly wouldn't bother me in the slightest if they went full on digital. I haven't bought a single physical game this gen outside of a few for my Switch (because I didn't feel like breaking the bank on a huge microSD card for it). All the games on my PC, PS4 Pro, and One X are all digital.

And my wife and I get all of our movies and TV shows through our 4K Apple TV now, so it not having a bluray drive wouldn't be a huge deal for me anymore either (would have been a bigger deal before getting the 4K Apple TV, but now not so much).

So I say, bring on the fully digital XB2.

[Zeta333]

I'm afraid I can't be jealous that your Mommy and Daddy buy you everything. That's what you do for dumb, spoiled kids.

I have a damn near minimum wage job and i can more than afford all the current consoles and a top end pc. Its not being shit with finances that allows this to happen.

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In my opinion (Don't take this as bashing Microsoft) they bowed out of the console market the moment they made it where if you buy a game digital you also own it on PC and now they got this push they are doing with there netflix style of gaming.

That isn't a bad thing and its very consumer friendly (and cheap), But really they went the steam route but the other way around.

I honestly would not be surprised if come next gen for Xbox they go the 100% digital only route with there system. With all of that said I do agree them not being in the market is a bad thing. Competition breeds innovation and a 3 person show (Nintendo,Sony,MS) is a much better one then a two person show.

I really interested in what all three company's are doing next gen.

The funny thing is Microsoft has done what they said they wanted to do at the start of XB1. They went 99.9% digital and not the full 100%, I really wouldn't be surprised if Xbox 2 has no blu-ray drive at all.

I dont think the bluray drive is a huge cost issue for each console. Fuck even the xbox one S has a 4k blueray drive. And unfortnatly to many people still buy physical media, ie movies and music.

I love buying the physical games just to have them on a shelf. But thats a personal collector sort of mentality.

Id def like to see future consoles have a dedicated highspeed port for external hdd with a ssd for the OS at least.

[Jtbrig7390]

It honestly wouldn't bother me in the slightest if they went full on digital. I haven't bought a single physical game this gen outside of a few for my Switch (because I didn't feel like breaking the bank on a huge microSD card for it). All the games on my PC, PS4 Pro, and One X are all digital.

And my wife and I get all of our movies and TV shows through our 4K Apple TV now, so it not having a bluray drive wouldn't be a huge deal for me anymore either (would have been a bigger deal before getting the 4K Apple TV, but now not so much).

So I say, bring on the fully digital XB2.

Meh for me one of the major selling points of a console is physical media. I don't see Sony or Nintendo going all digital anytime soon but MS I can see them doing it since like I said they are 99% of the way there.

IMO if they did then there would really be no point in getting a Xbox console since the games are on PC as well and don't require XBL's sub.

Different strokes for different fokes tho.

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I dont think the bluray drive is a huge cost issue for each console. Fuck even the xbox one S has a 4k blueray drive. And unfortnatly to many people still buy physical media, ie movies and music.

I love buying the physical games just to have them on a shelf. But thats a personal collector sort of mentality.

Id def like to see future consoles have a dedicated highspeed port for external hdd with a ssd for the OS at least.

I'm sure the blu-ray drive doesn't cost much but that on top of each game releasing can add up I'm sure. Company's are well known for cutting cost where ever they can (MS just did it with there forum support).

Someone has to make that first step and MS kinda did already, But like before the moment any of the main three goes full digital there will be backlash.

Hell there was Backlash on Sony when they tried it with the PSP Go, But it was not where near as big of a issue as MS had with XB1.

[Zeta333]

Meh for me one of the major selling points of a console is physical media. I don't see Sony or Nintendo going all digital anytime soon but MS I can see them doing it since like I said they are 99% of the way there.

IMO if they did then there would really be no point in getting a Xbox console since the games are on PC as well and don't require XBL's sub.

Different strokes for different fokes tho.

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I'm sure the blu-ray drive doesn't cost much but that on top of each game releasing can add up I'm sure. Company's are well known for cutting cost where ever they can (MS just did it with there forum support).

Someone has to make that first step and MS kinda did already, But like before the moment any of the main three goes full digital there will be backlash.

Hell there was Backlash on Sony when they tried it with the PSP Go, But it was not where near as big of a issue as MS had with XB1.

Also with BC being a big drive i dont see MS putting in all the work they have been to make older games work with newer consoles to axe that so soon. Maby not next gen at least for xbox.

[Jtbrig7390]

Also with BC being a big drive i dont see MS putting in all the work they have been to make older games work with newer consoles to axe that so soon. Maby not next gen at least for xbox.

Maybe but they have put those games up on the store digitally as well. If they see people are buying BC digitally more then using physical I'm sure they wouldn't mind doing it.

Even going as far as saying just play XB1 for physical BC but with better words so it doesn't sound like that Play 360 comment lol.

I will say tho IMO its 50/50 on if they do it but if the next gen lasts 8+ years as well I can 100% see MS doing it then.

[Tech614]

Speaking of next gen and BC do we think publishers are going to be able to get away with remasters and cross gen titles in a world where BC is a given?

Seeing as they made up the vast majority of the first 2 years of a this gen, it's gonna be interesting to say the least.

This is one reason I'm not so sure the transition to next gen will be as final as people are used to. Games will probably just release on PS4/XBO for awhile with even more souped up Pro/X patches on the next gen as it's far less work then making 4 different versions for same effect. Some titles will be exclusive probably, but only the exclusives for awhile(the first next gen only PS4/XBO game from a 3rd party was what? AC Unity? Then even after that no major ones until Witcher 3 really).

[Jtbrig7390]

Speaking of next gen and BC do we think publishers are going to be able to get away with remasters and cross gen titles in a world where BC is a given?

Seeing as they made up the vast majority of the first 2 years of a this gen, it's gonna be interesting to say the least.

This is one reason I'm not so sure the transition to next gen will be as final as people are used to. Games will probably just release on PS4/XBO for awhile with even more souped up Pro/X patches on the next gen as it's far less work then making 4 different versions for same effect. Some titles will be exclusive probably, but only the exclusives for awhile(the first next gen only PS4/XBO game from a 3rd party was what? AC Unity? Then even after that no major ones until Witcher 3 really).

Honestly, No I don't see Remasters happening next gen or if they do it will be few and far between. Its very likely XB1/PS4 games will play on next gen systems so company's mite release "Next Gen" patch's for improved performance and what not.

I 100% can see current systems ( at lease Pro/X) lasting 2-3 years at lease into Next Gen.

[Tech614]

The only 2 publishers I see trying to get away with "remasters" on next gen are Rockstar and Bethesda.

Do not put it past either of them to try and release a new $60 version of both GTAV and Skyrim. Especially Rockstar since they never even bothered to support the Pro/X with patches and are probably waiting on that to market "4k GTAV!".

[Jtbrig7390]

The only 2 publishers I see trying to get away with "remasters" on next gen are Rockstar and Bethesda.

Do not put it past either of them to try and release a new $60 version of both GTAV and Skyrim. Especially Rockstar since they never even bothered to support the Pro/X with patches and are probably waiting on that to market "4k GTAV!".

I love GTAV but I think the only system ill buy it one more time on is Switch, As for Skyrim I wish that shit would die in a fire already.

[Zephyr Storm]

Meh for me one of the major selling points of a console is physical media. I don't see Sony or Nintendo going all digital anytime soon but MS I can see them doing it since like I said they are 99% of the way there.

IMO if they did then there would really be no point in getting a Xbox console since the games are on PC as well and don't require XBL's sub.

Different strokes for different fokes tho.

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I'm sure the blu-ray drive doesn't cost much but that on top of each game releasing can add up I'm sure. Company's are well known for cutting cost where ever they can (MS just did it with there forum support).

Someone has to make that first step and MS kinda did already, But like before the moment any of the main three goes full digital there will be backlash.

Hell there was Backlash on Sony when they tried it with the PSP Go, But it was not where near as big of a issue as MS had with XB1.

I feel like going fully digital is one of those things that whoever is able to do it first and do it well will come out smelling like a rose. This will be where the industry eventually goes, regardless of whether people want it or not (PC gaming is pretty much already there). So the sooner a company can get the kinks worked out and have it running effectively/efficiently, the better off they'll be when the industry shifts that way. This is where I feel MS is definitely looking ahead and trying to prep themselves as much as possible for it. This also applies to streaming games/services and the dedicated server architecture necessary for that. MS is leaps and bounds ahead of the competition there....or they're at least investing heavily into getting there. Whereas Sony and Nintendo currently are just kind of "eh, whatever".

I'll still be getting the next Xbox even though I have a gaming PC. The plug and play aspect of a console (and one that can do 4K on my 4K TV) as well as sitting on my couch or recliner with a controller is simply to nice to not have. Most games (most) you don't have to worry about major performance issues/glitches/bugs on a console. Hackers/exploiters are generally much lower to non-existent on a console. Being able to continue playing with your friends on the same console is also another huge reason. The list goes on. Oh, and my wife prefers to play on Xbox over Playstation for a variety of reasons (I've never been able to convince her to give PC gaming a serious try), so I keep playing on Xbox because "happy wife, happy life".

So even though people don't see a reason for owning an Xbox if they have a PC, I personally still see lots of reason to have one.

[stellvia]

Nice crazy wonderland you're living in.

Google "microsoft xbox division shareholders" ... did you think I was making it up? Also: Look at how little first-party support and exclusives they've put towards the console in recent years compared to when they were flying high with the 360.

I still can't get over how SOOOO many people think that MS is bowing out of the console market after this current gen is over. MS themselves proved that wrong when Phil Spencer announced at E3 that they are most definitely working on the next Xbox console. Are people really that naive?

Also, do those same people not realize that MS bowing out of the console market would actually be a BAD thing? It would basically give Sony free reign to do whatever the hell they wanted and in the end, it would most likely hurt consumers.

I'm not saying they should fold the division because obviously there is still value to the brand, but there have definitely been rumblings from their shareholders and editorials from analysts aplenty about finding a buyer for the Xbox division. Pretty much since they "lost" the current gen war to Sony. Also probably with keeping in mind the billions they had to write off on the 360 due to the manufacturing problems.

I can't be the only one noticing how they have really weak offerings for first-party games and buying a few cheap indie studios doesn't instill confidence that is going to change any time soon.

[Kathandira]

Microsoft is literally doing what gamers and the industry wants of them. Getting more first party studios to pump out first party exclusives for the platform. This is what they need and so they are doing it. And people are still shitting on them for it. People are hating on MS just to hate on them at this point. It’s a fucking broken record.

Here’s to hoping we get some decent first party titles in development so they can be released by the next Xbox console launch.

I agree. MS has really been listening to the community and doing a good job on delivering what people want. Cross play with PC. More PC/Console releases (rather than just one or the other). Acquiring more studios to put out more exclusives. Even continuing to support indie developers.

They have really turned around over the years, and they don't deserve unwarranted negative responses.