Microsoft rumored to be buying...... [2020-04, 2020-07, 2020-11]

So far it's unknown exactly which game studios will move over to Discovery and which will stay with AT&T.

 

No idea but both companies may want to sell studios to recoup costs.

If they split the studios evenly then it might be easier for other companies to purchase. Maybe MS wants the MK ip and teams so they can get those games and reboot KI . Maybe sony wants the teams behind Gotham Knights for a new franchise.

I also think it may be easier to get long term contracts for the IP rights

 

I don't know if we had a dedicated thread for the AT&T/WB and Discovery subject, but I know we talked about it some here. It's such chaos. Perfectly typical AT&T.

 

really terrible to see whats going on for them.

in other news




Original tweet seems to be gone

 

https://www.dualshockers.com/microsoft-might-announce-a-new-xbox-studio-acquisition-at-e3-2021/

Well looks like MS might announce a purchase at e3. I know a few in the works but no idea which one it could be

 

Honestly MS should pay whatever it takes to get NetherRealm studios and the Mortal Kombat IP.

It has such a huge hardcore and mainstream following. I would even consider keeping it multiplatform but use it as leverage to get Game Pass on PS/Switch.

Also NetherRealm would be a fantastic studio for Killer Instinct which would be exclusive.

 

See I kinda think MS should just buy DC comics and warner games from Warner Brothers / Discovery mess and then they can license the IP for movies while making games based on the ip

 

Buying the whole enchilada would be expensive! But yes if they don't mind getting into the film and tv industry it would be a bold move. Actually it could be really smart as content it king but I doubt HBO/Discovery would want to part with their biggest asset?

 

The current rumor is that dc comics and warner games are up for sale outside of the merger

 

Yup. The DC comics IP is amongst the most valuable that Warner own. They fudged a bunch of the films but they can bring them around as they did before (the Nolan Batman trilogy) but they need to stop trying to mimic Marvel. If Microsoft want some cool exclusive superhero games - ala Spider-Man - just license the IP and make those games.

 

hmm 3 ? sounds familiar

 

All eyes towards Sunday.

 

Idly listening to Brad Sams recap the Xbox stratagy points from the pre e3 press briefing. His takeaways were that MS will look to grow number of studios further as Gamepass grows.

He also took it that MS are still open to more things like Flight Sim /Asobo where they partner on projects. It's not just outright buying studios.

 

That makes sense. As of right now the Avalanche deal for Contraband appears to be a similar type arrangement.

 

Asobo is going to be high on the wanting to buy list soon. I have a strong feeling Asobo will be delivering quite well over the next few years. Insomniac was a steal for the 250+M they paid for it. I can't imagine someone looking at Asobo thinking they aren't a buy right now.

 

I think MS would have bought them already if they were willing to sell.

 

The price might be far too high for most. I'm relatively confident that MS made Asobo an offer, and likely a pretty generous offer. However, it's clear that, at least currently, Asobo desires to remain independent.

If MS are paying Asobo as well as their 1st party studios along with future guarantees, then coupled with their desire to remain independent, there may be no amount of money that would sway them to give up their independence.

Insomniac also greatly desired independence and turned down offers from Sony, MS, and other publishers over the years. The main reason they finally relented was that their previous slew of games weren't profitable enough to continue funding games independently. Uncertainly about their future viability if they remained independent they decided to become a Sony 1p developer. At least if they were going to lose their independence, it was going to be with the publisher that they've had the best partnership with in the past.

Back to Asobo, if Asobo finds itself in a similar situation and looking at their past development history, they've worked with MS pretty frequently starting from 2012. I'd imagine if there is any publisher that they would give up their independence for, it would be MS.

That said, I don't see it happening unless they decide they don't want to be independent anymore.

Regards,
SB

 

Eventually they will want to cash out probably, but not yet it would seem.

 

Asobo may have had an offer, but they clearly declined since they accepted investment from other sources.

 

Might be more to it. New rumors say Microsoft is buying Avalanche Studios Group. They have 3 internal studios: Avalanche Studio, Expansive Worlds & Systemic Reaction. Basically, they get Just Cause, theHunter, Contraband & Second Extinction. Not as exciting at Bethesda, but a decent buy. Second Extinction is pretty decent for Game Pass, But I definitely want to see more of Contraband.

Tommy McClain