VizionEck

My motivation here is two fold:

1.) For people sick of hearing about acquisition news, they just have to stay out of this thread.

2.) There's a lot of acquisition "news" that are more rumory. Even when they're credible and definitely have plans in the works, it doesn't guarantee that anything will come out of it. Plenty of real acquisition discussions don't end up going anywhere. Or sometimes they take years to go anywhere.


Stuff that people would care about or be interested in will probably still get its own thread, but I figured for stuff that most people don't really care about, having it all hidden away in this thread will probably be better.

---

List of major video game publishers per wikipedia  (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_publisher)organized by biggest revenue in 2021

1	Sony Interactive Entertainment	Japan, United States	18.190
2	Tencent Games	China	16.224
3	Nintendo	Japan	12.010
4	Microsoft	United States	10.260
5	NetEase	China	6.668
6	Activision Blizzard	United States	6.388
7	Electronic Arts	United States	5.537
8	Take-Two Interactive	United States	3.089
9	Bandai Namco Entertainment	Japan	3.018
10	Square Enix	Japan	2.386
11	Nexon	South Korea, Japan	2.286
12	Netmarble	South Korea	1.883
13	Ubisoft	France	1.446
14	Konami	Japan	1.303
15	Sega	Japan	1.153
16	Capcom	Japan	0.7673
17	Embracer Group	Sweden	0.3225

---

Notable deals we have seen this year:

Take Two acquires Zynga (https://www.take2games.com/ir/news/take-two-interactive-software-announces-offers-purchase-zynga)
Tencent acquisition of Sumo closes (https://www.pocketgamer.biz/asia/news/77908/tencent-closes-acquisition-of-sumo-group/)
Sony acquires Bungie (https://www.engadget.com/sony-closes-bungie-acquisition-playstation-studios-190623763.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAEd3U8niUBD5je6xOaESnEC1j5fyMHqH6AC3FFS9wCb1fjACHV88UFe53FearlXPHB7W5oHj_0BpNpZjk4GeeLVpuPcX2viPf1_CRg4T6X9wlcTAV6UAPujxoZ-EflzuG7zFh-lF1UHz9iNbLN37TzLP1Tbc3R4Br0SO3E39Ercr)
Microsoft acquires Activision (https://news.microsoft.com/2022/01/18/microsoft-to-acquire-activision-blizzard-to-bring-the-joy-and-community-of-gaming-to-everyone-across-every-device/)
Sony acquires Haven (https://www.sie.com/en/corporate/release/2022/220322.html)
Embracer Group acquires Crystal Dynamics, Eidos. (https://embracer.com/releases/embracer-group-enters-into-an-agreement-to-acquire-eidos-crystal-dynamics-and-square-enix-montreal-amongst-other-assets/)
NetEase acquires Quantic Dream (https://venturebeat.com/games/netease-has-acquired-detroit-become-human-maker-quantic-dream/)

OK, that's very nice, you'll say. But why the hell acquiring a videogame publisher could have major anti-competitive effects in cloud services?


I guess that the line of thinking that they are following is similar to the one from the CMA:

- Videogames generate more money than other form of entertainment.

- But there are only 3 major competitors (MS, Nintendo and Sony) and no one has entered the (video game console) industry in the last 20 years. Not a good sign...


- In addition to that, the barriers of entry (level of investment) and the network effects (more users usually attract better content) are very strong.

- So, there is the minimum amount of competition in that market and it's very hard to get new entrants. That's not good!


- Luckily, PC and mobile are alternatives to play games beyond consoles. Well, that helps the market to be more competitive

- In any case, as other industries, the videogame sector is in a transitional phase from the classic "buy to play" to alternatives like subscriptions, cloud, etc.

- This transition is finally allowing more competition and new entrants (Apple, Amazon, Netflix, Google, Nvidia, Meta, etc). Finally, that's good news!

- But to be able to compite these new entrants also need good content and access to the cloud infrastructure that's going to be the basis of future developments.

- One of the 3 originals competitors in the industry (MS) has a good position in the market, a very popular subscription service, a strong first party offering, it's number 2 in cloud services in the world and number 1 with the operating systems used by PC (Windows). Not bad! That's already a lot of very good synergies.

- Suddenly, that competitor (MS) buys the biggest third party publisher in the world (ABK) with some of the biggest and most popular IPs in the industry (COD, Candy Crush, WoW, etc).

- What happens with the other two competitors (Nintendo and Sony)? Well, they have a better position in the industry (by number of sales, users and quality content). But if the industry is really transitioning to the cloud and subscriptions, although they offer some popular subscription services (PS Plus, for example), they don't have cloud infrastructure or an OS. Well then, to get access to them they'll have to pay for it.

- What happens with the new entrants? Well, some of them have cloud infrastructure an even an OS (Amazon or Google), but the gaming catalogue is very small and they don't have a lot of users. So, to attract new users they'll have to pay for popular content (Google) and probably cloud infrastructure or OS licenses as well.

Well, well, well... If the industry is already transitioning to subscription + cloud and one of the 3 main competitors (MS) already has: 1) a popular subscription service (Gamepass), 2) a good amount of users and sales (Xbox) 3) a strong first party offering (24 studios) 4) one of the biggest cloud infrastructure with Azure (so they don't have to pay for it) 5) the most important OS (Windows) in an alternative gaming market, PC (so they don't have to pay for it) and now 6) they are acquiring the biggest publisher in the sector with some of the biggest IPs on all the gaming markets (COD and consoles; WoW and PC; Candy Crush and mobile) they could really hurt competition, including new entrants and the ones already established (no access to the content acquired, worse and more expensive access to cloud infrastructure and OS licenses or very strong network effects).


Therefore, although MS is acquiring a videogame publisher the real question of the transaction is not if there will be more publishers, enough developers or alternative IPs post merger, it's about the transition of the industry to a new model and if this operation could seriously harm the most lucrative industry right now for present and future competitors.

That would be my theory of why there is so much focus on cloud services although ABK is the one being acquired. Of course, now MS has to prove with facts that the reality of the market is different and even with all of that to its favor, there will be enough competition in the short and long term.

Oh wow: Fandom has acquired GameSpot, Metacritic, TV Guide, GameFAQs, Giant Bomb, Cord Cutters News and Comic Vine. pic.twitter.com/oBO3QTWyD8

— Alex Zalben (@azalben) October 3, 2022

When will the acquisitions end!

I thought we had am acquisitions thread for this sort of stuff..

I thought we had am acquisitions thread for this sort of stuff..

Whatever do you mean?  :-X

Microsoft has a website dedicated to the acquisition (https://news.microsoft.com/activision-blizzard-acquisition/)

Greater competition in traditional gaming, where Sony and Nintendo will remain the biggest

Nintendo? I can see an argument for Sony, but I'm not sure how they are smaller than Nintendo.

Man I never seen a company with such audacity. A web page about how they want to make a monopoly of the market and saying its best for consumers.

Man I never seen a company with such audacity. A web page about how they want to make a monopoly of the market and saying its best for consumers.

So many points are just straight up lies. Their benefits for game devs have nothing to do with the acquisition. Just shut the fudge up Microsoft.

Oh wow: Fandom has acquired GameSpot, Metacritic, TV Guide, GameFAQs, Giant Bomb, Cord Cutters News and Comic Vine. pic.twitter.com/oBO3QTWyD8

— Alex Zalben (@azalben) October 3, 2022

I think I've heard of Fandom here and there, but it's crazy to me that they're large enough to buy all this.

They arent big enough to buy vizioneck though

They arent big enough to buy vizioneck though

Not even Microsoft is.

VizionEck is secretly a 10 trillion dollar company like this. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHfJRON3b-w)

It appears Brazil has just approved Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard with no restrictions

Thanks to @cybercowboyZZ for bringing it to my attention
 https://t.co/DYbV45VgED pic.twitter.com/J6HJkRG66O

— Benji-Sales (@BenjiSales) October 5, 2022

It appears Brazil has just approved Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard with no restrictions

Thanks to @cybercowboyZZ for bringing it to my attention
 https://t.co/DYbV45VgED pic.twitter.com/J6HJkRG66O

— Benji-Sales (@BenjiSales) October 5, 2022

What would happen if they didn't approve it? Brazil is important but not the largest market.

What would happen if they didn't approve it? Brazil is important but not the largest market.

Not exactly sure.

Or maybe the majority of regulators approve the deal but some minors ones don't. In that case, MS/ABK would probably go to court to appeal the decision and would probably win because courts are usually more favorable to parties than regulators. Although that could take some years, if the market is not too big/important, maybe it could work for MS/ABK.

It could also happen that an important regulator approves the deal (the FTC in US) but another big one rejects it (the EC in Europe). In that case MS/ABK could go to go court to appeal the decision but that's going to be a long and tough battle. When that happens the parties usually abandon and cancel the deal.

Era has a pretty good thread on all of the Microsoft-Activision stuff (https://www.resetera.com/threads/the-microsoft-activision-blizzard-acquisition-ot-antitrust-simulator-update-approved-in-brazil.633344/)

one step closer to that MS gaming monopoly.  it's going to be great!

There's a strange dichotomy where Sony is weak and strong at the same time, from the same people.
Like people constantly point out that "Sony can't afford what Microsoft can", and yet there's constant complaints about "If Microsoft can do something, why can't Sony?"

There's a strange dichotomy where Sony is weak and strong at the same time, from the same people.
Like people constantly point out that "Sony can't afford what Microsoft can", and yet there's constant complaints about "If Microsoft can do something, why can't Sony?"

Fanboys making excuses when it fits their agenda.

MS has the money to buy take two, ea, Activision, ubisoft, Warner bros gaming division, capcom, square and Sega easily.

Sony doesn't have anywhere near that buying power

Fanboys making excuses when it fits their agenda.

MS has the money to buy take two, ea, Activision, ubisoft, Warner bros gaming division, capcom, square and Sega easily.

Sony doesn't have anywhere near that buying power

but as Brazil points out,.. Sony still has the ability to form strong relationships with 3rd party publishers...

Square Enix Montreal new name. Wonder when/if we'll get new names for the other Square Enix studios that were bought.

Studio Onoma - Our Brand Story | Studio Onoma (https://www.studio-onoma.com/en/studio-onoma-our-rebrand-story/)

Square Enix Montreal new name. Wonder when/if we'll get new names for the other Square Enix studios that were bought.

Studio Onoma - Our Brand Story | Studio Onoma (https://www.studio-onoma.com/en/studio-onoma-our-rebrand-story/)

I wouldn't be surprised if none of the others get renamed.

I think Crystal Dynamics will stay. One big question is whether they have the rights to the Eidos name, or whether Square held onto that for whatever reason.

https://www.roadtovr.com/meta-vr-studio-acquisition-iron-man-resident-evil-wilsons-heart/ (https://www.roadtovr.com/meta-vr-studio-acquisition-iron-man-resident-evil-wilsons-heart/)

Meta / Facebook has acquired Camouflaj, Twisted Pixel and Armature Studio

Twisted Pixel

Lococycle VR time!

Armature is a good buy.

F facebook.  hate how they are buying up anything and everything related to VR.

...kind of always thought of twisted pixel as an MS studio.  didn't realize they were working on VR lately.

F facebook.  hate how they are buying up anything and everything related to VR.

They're currently up to 7 game studios.

It's a notable area where Sony hasn't been pushing as much into, acquisition wise.
Although Firesprite is a big VR studio, they seem to be doing mostly non-VR.

...kind of always thought of twisted pixel as an MS studio.  didn't realize they were working on VR lately.

They were separated in 2015.
And strangely I don't remember MS ever owning them, but they did shortly.  

it's more that assbook is trying to horde a monopoly on anyone with any VR experience.  

Microsoft says Sony has "chosen to block Game
Pass from PlayStation" and that it has "elected to protect its revenues from sales of newly released games, rather than offer gamers the choice of accessing them via its subscription, PlayStation Plus." All a response to UK's CMA pic.twitter.com/ytOIhLRoIr

— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) October 12, 2022

Suggesting that MS has legitimately made an offer to put Gamepass on PS.

honestly sony is dumb to not if MS really did offer

honestly sony is dumb to not if MS really did offer

Depends what the offer was.

honestly sony is dumb to not if MS really did offer

If it was first party only, it would be a strong push to reduce the need to get an Xbox for PlayStation owners.

Third party included would likely push into their own market.

lol.  Soo much hopiam.   Ms offered 3rd party only. 

I guess that's true. Would likely have been third party offer but in the off chance it was for full fledge gamepass then Sony are idiots.

But yeah probably was a dumbed down gamepass

so how confident are we feeling that MS will be allowed to aquire activision.   The stock market has slumped pretty low now.  at today's prices you'll get just over a 30% gain on your investment if MS is allowed to buy at $95.   in a bear market like this that "almost guaranteed" return of 30% starting to look quite tempting to me.

so how confident are we feeling that MS will be allowed to aquire activision.   The stock market has slumped pretty low now.  at today's prices you'll get just over a 30% gain on your investment if MS is allowed to buy at $95.   in a bear market like this that "almost guaranteed" return of 30% starting to look quite tempting to me.

UK's CMA is pushing against it, and won't make a decision until March I believe.

But it seems very likely to pass.  

UK's CMA is pushing against it, and won't make a decision until March I believe.

But it seems very likely to pass. 

yeah, i know it is "getting scrutinized" but i have a hard time believing it will actually be blocked.  brazil basically gave a "why the fudge should i care" response.   i expect all the small markets to do the same.  only US and Europe have a chance of blocking it imo and frankly with MS a US company I think they won't give a fudge about sony's woahs either.   so basically just Europe.

i dunno.  i've read the news but i just don't know if i believe they will actually make an attempt to block it.   

..but we're at the point where even if it doesn't go though it probably won't drop "massively".   like 30% down which i know is big but not soo big that it doesn't feel like a viable gamble.   maybe i'll start a position soon and DCA down if it keeps falling.

90% sure. Microsoft is defending it but I think they'd be a lot more vocal or super silent if they were worried.

Netflix quietly building up a stable of studios:

Netflix has acquired Cozy Grove studio Spry Fox. The Triple Town and Alphabear developer becomes the company’s sixth in-house games studiohttps://t.co/rfkb9aVTLG pic.twitter.com/PpXxS61CWh

— VGC (@VGC_News) October 31, 2022

As for acquisition [Kojima] say that he got a lot of offer and always refuse them and will keep refusing them as long as he's alive

Era (https://www.resetera.com/threads/playstation-studios-ot32-in-my-restless-dreams-i-see-that-showcase.646923/page-75#post-95929815)

Era (https://www.resetera.com/threads/playstation-studios-ot32-in-my-restless-dreams-i-see-that-showcase.646923/page-75#post-95929815)

Would be cool, but all it takes is the right offer. Not all acquisitions are bad.

Would be cool, but all it takes is the right offer. Not all acquisitions are bad.

From the sounds of it, he wants to have the freedom to make whatever, more than whatever money.

It sounds like he's happy being able to pitch whatever project he wants to anyone who will take it.


I don't think he will get acquired, unless he hits a point where it's the only way to make a game that he wants to.

...or he runs out of money.  it only takes 1 flop. 

Microsoft says it offered Sony 10-year deal to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation (https://www.eurogamer.net/microsoft-says-it-offered-sony-10-year-deal-to-keep-call-of-duty-on-playstation)

Microsoft has told the New York Times it offered Sony a 10-year deal to keep the series on PlayStation earlier this month.

In total, 16 regulatory bodies around the world have launched investigations into Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard to assess its likely impact on competition. So far, only Brazil and Saudi Arabia have approved the deal, with a number of territories, including the European Commission and the UK's Competition and Markets Authority, having announced more in-depth reviews of the matter.

Speaking to the New York Times, Microsoft accused Sony of misleading regulators, saying the company had "overstated the importance of Call of Duty to its viability." In response, Jim Ryan told the publication this was "not true", adding Microsoft was "a tech giant with a long history of dominating industries" and that "it is highly likely that the choices gamers have today will disappear if this deal goes ahead."

Sony's statement to CMA on Activision (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/637cecede90e076b8043d8cd/Sony_Interactive_Entertainment.pdf)

Sony's statement to CMA on Activision (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/637cecede90e076b8043d8cd/Sony_Interactive_Entertainment.pdf)

I'd read it except I won't.  tldr summary?

Exclusive: The FTC is likely to file an antitrust lawsuit to block Microsoft’s $69 billion takeover of video game giant Activision Blizzard, per three people with knowledge of the matter https://t.co/c2AECmKPCT

— POLITICO (@politico) November 23, 2022

very nice!!

I kind of want the Activision deal to go through. Really would want to see Sony get pushed. I have to imagine it would force them to greatly diversify the games they make.

I'd read it except I won't.  tldr summary?

I haven't read most of it. Lots of arguing about the importance and irreplaceability of CoD.

"Microsoft wants PlayStation to become like Nintendo, so that it would be a less close and less effective competitor to Xbox"

This is quite a line though.

I don't play Activision-Blizzard games so I couldn't care less from that perspective. Don't like Microsoft's lies and dishonest arguments though so I really hope the deal crashes and burns.

Actually using my brain and predicting what would be best for the industry? No clue. If the deal is denied, what situation will Activision Blizzard be in? Will a worse company swoop them up?

I kind of want the Activision deal to go through. Really would want to see Sony get pushed. I have to imagine it would force them to greatly diversify the games they make.

You have more faith in Sony than I do. They're great at making games but it feels like the business people this gen have no clue how to compete with Microsoft.

Speaking of bad ideas, what if they strike a deal with Steam to support an "expanded library" of games on PS5? Every game not available on PSN is allowed to be sold by Valve, and the games just think they're on a next gen steam deck  8)

---

On a less stupid thought, remember after Infinity War when COD was dying? Battlefield was so close to killing it. Would be pretty funny if this deal goes through and COD dies before any of this matters.

I kind of want the Activision deal to go through. Really would want to see Sony get pushed. I have to imagine it would force them to greatly diversify the games they make.

I haven't read most of it. Lots of arguing about the importance and irreplaceability of CoD.

"Microsoft wants PlayStation to become like Nintendo, so that it would be a less close and less effective competitor to Xbox"

This is quite a line though.

I think you need to spend some time reviewing all the companies MS killed off just to not have competition.  

they've used the classic monopoly strategy of run a division massively unprofitable until the competitor dies then raise prices to whatever they want when you have no alternative before and that is exactly what gamepass is. 

this would be terrible for the industry and you know it.  Sony may be #1 in consoles but MSs other revenues dwarf it and Sony won't exist in 10 years if MS buys up all third party content. 

this would be terrible for the industry and you know it.  Sony may be #1 in consoles but MSs other revenues dwarf it and Sony won't exist in 10 years if MS buys up all third party content.

I think there are a number of reasons why that wouldn't be realistic in the gaming industry.

MS legally can't buy everyone, there would be more pushback with any future acquisitions. There's no way they could buy Take Two or EA after this.

There are tons of studios in the world. Embracer has 131 studios. There are still plenty of independent developers out there.

Sony is still making itself plenty of exclusive deals.

Gamepass itself might be disruptive, but Sony already has a similar service and they could push it more.

I don't play Activision-Blizzard games so I couldn't care less from that perspective. Don't like Microsoft's lies and dishonest arguments though so I really hope the deal crashes and burns.

Actually using my brain and predicting what would be best for the industry? No clue. If the deal is denied, what situation will Activision Blizzard be in? Will a worse company swoop them up?

You have more faith in Sony than I do. They're great at making games but it feels like the business people this gen have no clue how to compete with Microsoft.

I don't think Sony has made any absolutely terrible decisions.
They've got a great console, they've got a strong stable of IPs.


They have a few weaknesses.
Their indie program doesn't seem quite as strong as the early PS4 era. (at least it doesn't feel like they're pushing indies quite as much as they used to).
A pretty notable decline in the amount of publishing deals with third party studios.

But I think these are things they can work on.

Pi do you understand how many legendary and fan favourite IPs MS would own after this buy?

Call of duty
Diablo
World of warcraft
Starcraft
Halo
Doom
Fallout
Elder scrolls
Overwatch


And thats them not even finished yet. They said openly they want to buy more. They are literally trying to buy up the industry

And thats them not even finished yet. They said openly they want to buy more. They are literally trying to buy up the industry

And they literally can't. And it's not a money issue.

And they literally can't. And it's not a money issue.

They done it before. Its literally their game plan since the 90s.

They done it before. Its literally their game plan since the 90s.

And I would say that the gaming industry is much more diverse.

I think there are a number of reasons why that wouldn't be realistic in the gaming industry.

MS legally can't buy everyone, there would be more pushback with any future acquisitions. There's no way they could buy Take Two or EA after this.

There are tons of studios in the world. Embracer has 131 studios. There are still plenty of independent developers out there.

Sony is still making itself plenty of exclusive deals.

Gamepass itself might be disruptive, but Sony already has a similar service and they could push it more.

if buying Activision after buying a dozen studios and one publisher stands up to scrutiny what argument would stop MS from buying Ubisoft, EA, take two, SE....

...there would still be lots of publishers not owned by MS. isn't that the argument,..  MS isn't the #1 game development company yet so of course buying up studios and IP is fine??

...but you're not dumb.  you know that that metric is BS.  there are very few platform owners left and a platform is judged by the games.  MS doesn't need to buy up all the development studios to kill playstation.  MS only needs to starve ps of enough content to appear non-viable to gamers and the entire community implodes. no one is going to buy a ps for just Sony first party and indies. 

I don't begrudge MS for wanting to build up their first party but that's not really what they are doing.  Sony is building a first party by investing in things like haven studios.  MS is simply taking away from the industry. how many franchises are on ps today who's sequels are now locked to MS.  probably at least a few dozen?   I don't ducking want to have to buy an Xbox to play Diablo,.. it's ducking BS. 

So what happens if they file the lawsuit

if buying Activision after buying a dozen studios and one publisher stands up to scrutiny what argument would stop MS from buying Ubisoft, EA, take two, SE....

Because the governments don't care about the number of acquisitions, they care about overall market share.
Buying up more of the market gets harder to do.  

MS doesn't need to buy up all the development studios to kill playstation.  MS only needs to starve ps of enough content to appear non-viable to gamers and the entire community implodes. no one is going to buy a ps for just Sony first party and indies.

Plenty of people would.
There are also lots of markets that wouldn't care about Xbox regardless.

I don't think Sony is as fragile as they used to be /as you think they are.

They're not as strong independently as Nintendo, but they are a lot closer than they used to be.

So what happens if they file the lawsuit

Court.  A judge would determine if the the acquisition can proceed based on the arguments for/against this being bad for the market.  Would be somewhat expensive for MS.  …worse in bad PR.

Because the governments don't care about the number of acquisitions, they care about overall market share.
Buying up more of the market gets harder to do.  


Plenty of people would.
There are also lots of markets that wouldn't care about Xbox regardless.

I don't think Sony is as fragile as they used to be /as you think they are.

They're not as strong independently as Nintendo, but they are a lot closer than they used to be.

Its not all about market share though.  Its also about participants.  When there are more than 2 appaerntly that is sufficiently "competitive" for most acquisitions.  I'm honestly surprised this would result in a lawsuit but I don't see why after bethesda/activision anyone would care about take two….

If @FTC approves the Microsoft/Activision merger w/ the labor agreement that we created to protect collective bargaining rights, it would send a game-changing message to corporations: Workers do have a seat at the table & their concerns must be addressed.https://t.co/xuMQiAvJ03

— CWA (@CWAUnion) December 5, 2022

I might be wrong, but from what I understand, if the deal goes through then Activision employees will be able to join a union.

FTC might push it through as a huge worker's win.

FTC seeks to block acquisition (https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2022/12/ftc-seeks-block-microsoft-corps-acquisition-activision-blizzard-inc)

"Microsoft has already shown that it can and will withhold content from its gaming rivals," said Holly Vedova, Director of the FTC's Bureau of Competition. "Today we seek to stop Microsoft from gaining control over a leading independent game studio and using it to harm competition in multiple dynamic and fast-growing gaming markets."

Is this official?

Is this official?

i clicked the link.  looks official to me.

If this happens then ohhh gosh the meltdowns on resetera will be glorious

Rarely does it work, but likely to delay things at least.

Gosh dang people.
3 responses in 2 minutes.

It is official.
Probably not going to stop the acquisition from happening, but there's a chance. But more likely to delay it from happening.

If in the off chance is does get stopped.  Xbox fanboys are going to implode.  It would be glorious.  It needs to be stopped, but i see it getting through.  MS will just keep making concessions and offers to make it seem like its a good thing to happen.

In a complaint issued today, the FTC pointed to Microsoft's record of acquiring and using valuable gaming content to suppress competition from rival consoles, including its acquisition of ZeniMax, parent company of Bethesda Softworks (a well-known game developer). Microsoft decided to make several of Bethesda's titles including Starfield and Redfall Microsoft exclusives despite assurances it had given to European antitrust authorities that it had no incentive to withhold games from rival consoles.

"Microsoft has already shown that it can and will withhold content from its gaming rivals," said Holly Vedova, Director of the FTC's Bureau of Competition. "Today we seek to stop Microsoft from gaining control over a leading independent game studio and using it to harm competition in multiple dynamic and fast-growing gaming markets."

well there it is.  taking starfield from playstation cost them CoD.   a poor trade indeed.

i hope this means:
- Activision
- EA
- Ubisoft
- SE
- take two
- tencent

... are off limits to nintendo/MS/sony.   i fully expect more acquisitions in the future for all of the above and in general am okay with that.  but there is a HUGE difference between aquiring doublepoint/playground and acquiring activation.  

If in the off chance is does get stopped.  Xbox fanboys are going to implode.  It would be glorious.  It needs to be stopped, but i see it getting through.  MS will just keep making concessions and offers to make it seem like its a good thing to happen.

dunno.  reading the thing though a bit i think the clinker is MS already offered concessions with respect to the bethesda acquisition and they already broke them when they pulled starfield off of playstation.  the fact that bethesda exec apoligiezed about it will probably be quite damning here:

https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2021/06/bethesda-vp-offers-apology-for-starfields-absence-on-ps5/

"I don't know how to allay the concerns of consumer and PlayStation 5 fans other than to say I'm a PlayStation 5 player as well, and I've played games on that console, and there's games I'm going to continue to play on it," Hines said. "But if you want to play Starfield, [it's] Xbox and PC. Sorry. All I can say is I apologize because I'm certain that that's frustrating to folks, but there's not a whole lot I can do about it."

dunno.  reading the thing though a bit i think the clinker is MS already offered concessions with respect to the bethesda acquisition and they already broke them when they pulled starfield off of playstation.  the fact that bethesda exec apoligiezed about it will probably be quite damning here:

https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2021/06/bethesda-vp-offers-apology-for-starfields-absence-on-ps5/

I don't think they made any actual concessions with the Zenimax acquisition.

Tencent acquires 20 percent stake in SHIFT UP https://t.co/8NuG2ONGq0 pic.twitter.com/dmbVOj0cyr

— Gematsu (@gematsu) December 16, 2022

Reuters person thinks MS will buy Netflix next year. 

Don't see the logic.
Strongly doubt this will happen.

From Breakingviews - Netflix will be next on Microsoft’s shopping list https://t.co/v5Fnqkbr82

— Reuters (@Reuters) December 20, 2022

fudge that.  

It makes a lot of sense. These companies shouldn't be focusing on a sub that offers one type of entertainment form. Youre competing for consumers time, netflix, psn, xbox, prime, Disney.

Offer games, TV, series, movies, books, music. Whatever makes sense for the company. How many people are subscribed to both psn and netflix? That type of consumer would be appealed by a sub that has both a lot of high quality games and TV/movies

ffs.

MMORPG.com: Microsoft Claims FTC's Lawsuit To Stop Activision Blizzard Purchase Is Unconstitutional.
https://www.mmorpg.com/news/microsoft-claims-ftcs-lawsuit-to-stop-activision-blizzard-purchase-is-unconstitutional-2000126956

"unconstitutional" is thrown around far too much to the point it's meaningless. 

ffs.

MMORPG.com: Microsoft Claims FTC's Lawsuit To Stop Activision Blizzard Purchase Is Unconstitutional.
https://www.mmorpg.com/news/microsoft-claims-ftcs-lawsuit-to-stop-activision-blizzard-purchase-is-unconstitutional-2000126956

"unconstitutional" is thrown around far too much to the point it's meaningless.  

From what I've seen, when ever Americans want to win an argument against another American, they always claim the issue to be "unconstitutional"

From what I've seen, when ever Americans want to win an argument against another American, they always claim the issue to be "unconstitutional"

exactly. 

my least favorite was the argument against gay marriage was it was an unconstitutional violation against "religious freedom".

you know,.  because religious freedom means I have to be subjugated to your religious restrictions and not allowed to have my own. if marriage is a religious institution like they argued then really government shouldn't even recognize marriage.   ...but seeing as we do then it must allow anyone's view on what counts as a marriage.  

...for the record I side with polyamorous marriages as well.  I don't give a shame about how consenting adults choose to love. 

exactly.

my least favorite was the argument against gay marriage was it was an unconstitutional violation against "religious freedom".

you know,.  because religious freedom means I have to be subjugated to your religious restrictions and not allowed to have my own. if marriage is a religious institution like they argued then really government shouldn't even recognize marriage.   ...but seeing as we do then it must allow anyone's view on what counts as a marriage.  

...for the record I side with polyamorous marriages as well.  I don't give a shame about how consenting adults choose to love.

100

The Gearbox Entertainment Company $EMBRAC has acquired Captured Dimensions.

Captured Dimensions provides 3D scanning and capturing work for the video games and film industries. They are based in Frisco, Texas, USA, which is also Gearbox' hometown.

Purchase price not disclosed. https://t.co/bYZYTsb0DO

— EmbracerInvestor (@EmbracerInvest) January 4, 2023

NetEase is acquiring SkyBox Labs, who has worked on games such as Halo Infinite, Minecraft and Fallout 76.

Will continue to support co-development partners and will align with NetEase's goal of enhancing its expansion to AAA console and PC games https://t.co/EKYBAjIVQW

— Daniel Ahmad (@ZhugeEX) January 6, 2023

i can't wait for the activision thing to be settled one way or another so we can get more HUGE acquisition announcements.   i'm soo excited to find out who going to buy SE.  


...let me complain pre-emptively that it's MS that buys them.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-01-12/google-nvidia-express-concerns-to-ftc-about-microsoft-s-activision-deal (https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-01-12/google-nvidia-express-concerns-to-ftc-about-microsoft-s-activision-deal)

Ohhhhh this gonna get good. I hope this might spell doom for the deal

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-01-12/google-nvidia-express-concerns-to-ftc-about-microsoft-s-activision-deal (https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-01-12/google-nvidia-express-concerns-to-ftc-about-microsoft-s-activision-deal)

Ohhhhh this gonna get good. I hope this might spell doom for the deal

I really hope this deal collapses and spells doom for mega acquisition deals in the gaming industry

Google tells a great story of how hard it is to enter this industry even as a mega cap without needing to beg a direct competitor for content. 

Google tells a great story of how hard it is to enter this industry even as a mega cap without needing to beg a direct competitor for content.

Yeah googled failure should be noted. Netflix's and amazons hard time entering the industry should be noted too

The 10 year "deal" that MS offered Sony and Nintendo only extends to them, and means that anybody else trying to enter the industry is iced  out of luck.

For the life of me I cant see how anyone could consider this to be an okay deal to go through and not anti consumer.

https://www.ign.com/articles/european-union-reportedly-preparing-to-challenge-microsofts-activision-blizzard-deal (https://www.ign.com/articles/european-union-reportedly-preparing-to-challenge-microsofts-activision-blizzard-deal)

Oh hell yeah. This deal may actually fall through

If it falls through I would hope this means EA and Ubisoft are off the table for any of the console makers to buy

the UK was reported to be also moving to block the deal. 

with three (huge) markets opposing I can't see a path forward for MS.  I'm a bit scared to see how MS retaliates if blocked. 

Maybe they pay for COD exclusivity and stop it on all platforms. MS will play dirty

Phil Spencer Interview (https://www.ign.com/articles/phil-spencer-interview-2023)

Given a year ago, for me, I didn't know anything about the process of doing an acquisition like this. The fact that I have more insight, more knowledge about what it means to work with the different regulatory boards, I'm more confident now than I was a year ago, simply based on the information I have and the discussions that we've been having.
...
So my confidence remains high. We're actively working with the regulatory boards around the world that need to approve for this, and it's been a learning experience for me. A lot of time spent, a lot of travel, a lot of conversations, but they're conversations where I get to talk about our industry and the work that we do and why we do it. I think the more regulators are informed about what gaming is, how the business runs, who the players are, and what our aspiration is as Team Xbox is just a good thing for the industry itself.

Phil Spencer Interview (https://www.ign.com/articles/phil-spencer-interview-2023)

That'll be a fun quote if the deal gets stopped.

Reuters reports that Jim Ryan, Sony's PlayStation chief, met the European Commission's antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager on Wednesday to discuss Microsoft's Activision Blizzard acquisition. The EU is set to rule on the deal by April 11th https://t.co/s5dKGkcgAS

— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) January 27, 2023

I hear Sony is briefing people in Brussels claiming Microsoft is unwilling to offer them parity for Call of Duty if we acquire Activision.
 
Nothing could be further from the truth.

1/4

— Frank X. Shaw (@fxshaw) January 28, 2023

>currently lead communications for Microsoft,

Why did the US FTC announce it's opposition to Microsoft's deal to buy Activision Blizzard when it did? To head off European Union talks with Microsoft, @leah_nylen reports. https://t.co/H5I27mhEtK

— Dina Bass (@dinabass) January 25, 2023

Hopefully 2.5 months left. I will be thrilled to see the conclusion.

I think I'm leaning more towards it passing but that might just be their optimism.

Hi @FTC — did you catch last night’s episode of The Last of Us? It was incredible.

No wonder the show is breaking records. It’s a true blockbuster, watched by tens of millions.

If you haven’t already, you should check it out. You may be particularly interested in the fact that pic.twitter.com/MhcT0DmOsM

— Lulu Cheng Meservey (@lulumeservey) January 30, 2023

The FTC has opposed the Microsoft - Activision Blizzard deal on the grounds that Microsoft could “suppress competition” from rival consoles by leveraging Activision games.

It sounds like there’s some worry that Sony’s position as market leader could be jeopardized by this deal.

— Lulu Cheng Meservey (@lulumeservey) January 30, 2023

Sony’s talent and IP across gaming, TV, movies, and music are formidable and truly impressive.

It’s no wonder they also continue to dominate as the market leader for consoles.

In gaming, Sony is “the first of us” - and they will be just fine without the FTC’s protection.

— Lulu Cheng Meservey (@lulumeservey) January 30, 2023

Kind of a weird twitter thread by EVP Corporate Affairs and CCO at Activision

so playstation is going to be just okay with having the world biggest IP getting ripped away from it (along with several other) after MS already ripped away tons of other IPs from it by acquiring Bethesda all because it has a successful TV show?

Okay, fair enough.  Let's just give AMD/NVidia to Sony then and see how xbox feels about that. 

That's probably the absolute worst argument for MS/Acti deal that i have ever seen. What in the actual fudge.

Since she's CCO she's likely got a hell of a payday coming if the acquisition goes through. Blatantly obvious her intentions.

Kind of a weird twitter thread by EVP Corporate Affairs and CCO at Activision

No love for the Halo tv show lol

This means if the Mario movie is a success, then Microsoft should also buy EA.

Amazon reportedly aspires to turn Tomb Raider into a “Marvel-like franchise” spanning interconnected game, film and TV releases.https://t.co/Xf6RnDbPZf pic.twitter.com/AVZ2xvp5dx

— VGC (@VGC_News) January 30, 2023

Amazon reportedly aspires to turn Tomb Raider into a “Marvel-like franchise” spanning interconnected game, film and TV releases.https://t.co/Xf6RnDbPZf pic.twitter.com/AVZ2xvp5dx

— VGC (@VGC_News) January 30, 2023

Please no.

Please no.

This will  bomb.

Also its very interesting to see how much IPs can be valued at  

the biggest problem is amazon wants to do this with a franchise that has basically bombed as a video game and as a movie in their most recent releases.  they have their work cut out for them because it's not enough to be good,.. it has to be amazing to wash peoples mindset that tomb raider is lackluster.

SIE put in it a job posting related to mergers and acquisitions.  

So I guess acquisition season hasn't quite ended. Wonder if it'll depend on the Activision acquisition.

SIE put in it a job posting related to mergers and acquisitions.  

So I guess acquisition season hasn't quite ended. Wonder if it'll depend on the Activision acquisition.

I think Sony will continue with acquisitions regardless if the ABK merger goes through or not.

But I guess it seems they are waiting to see what happens. Any acquisition, specially a big one, might prompt MS to say "see they are doing it too, and they are market leaders"

I think Sony will continue with acquisitions regardless if the ABK merger goes through or not.

But I guess it seems they are waiting to see what happens. Any acquisition, specially a big one, might prompt MS to say "see they are doing it too, and they are market leaders"

yes, that.  it would greatly hurt their argument. 

if abk goes through Sony better get SE quickly or MS will take them too. 

yes, that.  it would greatly hurt their argument.

if abk goes through Sony better get SE quickly or MS will take them too.

I guess SE would be worth it just for FF, but without TR and DE would MS prioritize them? Ubisoft is cheaper and has a lot more content that can be pumped out on gamepass.

yes, that.  it would greatly hurt their argument.

if abk goes through Sony better get SE quickly or MS will take them too.

Imagine how dysfunctional SE would be under MS.

"I don't think they fully appreciate that it's a free-to-play business, that the Japanese and Chinese companies dominate the industry. You look at Sony, you look at Nintendo, they have these huge libraries of intellectual properties. Sony studios goes back 80 years, Nintendo has the very best characters that exist in video games.

Sauce (https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/activision-blizzard-ceo-warns-uk-risks-becoming-death-valley-if-its-blocks-microsoft-deal/)


"Sony studios goes back 80 years"

What?
That's 4 years older than Sony entirely. Like 40+ years older than Sony pictures. 50+ years old than Sony Interactive.

What is he talking about?

wow.  i saw the "death valley" BS but i didn't see that one.   

i hate how businessmen always make the same empty threat about taking away your job if you don't do what they want.   fuk them.

Kotick and Nadella are both pushing this idea of "why can't American companies compete with Japanese and Chinese companies"

Kotick and Nadella are both pushing this idea of "why can't American companies compete with Japanese and Chinese companies"

i'm a white male,.. why can't i have the same advantages as a black women?!?!?   why should they be allowed into college when i inherited more money from mom and dad??!?!

/s

Kotick and Nadella are both pushing this idea of "why can't American companies compete with Japanese and Chinese companies"

Its so funny with these spins. Sonys most successful studios are American. ND and SMS.

The reality is all these companies are now international companies. Yes, they have originate from a singular country and have headquarters there. But their operations and strategic plans are international

Its so funny with these spins. Sonys most successful studios are American. ND and SMS.

The reality is all these companies are now international companies. Yes, they have originate from a singular country and have headquarters there. But their operations and strategic plans are international

Sony Interactive is also based in the US.

https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2023/02/10/has-ballistic-moon-joined-playstation-studios/

the job advert for a 'Senior Dialogue Designer' based in London states that PlayStation is looking for someone to work on "major AAA projects alongside our partners at studios such as Naughty Dog, Santa Monica Studio, Guerrilla Games, Firesprite, Ballistic Moon, London Studios, Housemarque, Media Molecule, Insomniac Games, Sucker Punch Productions and more!"

I checked the listing and ballistic moon was removed since the OP. 

Not completely sure if it means anything.

But it's interesting that Ballistic Moon alone is listed along with first party studios.

We have know they're working on a ps5 title for a while. They're on a fairly short list of obvious acquisition targets.
Arrowhead Game Studios (SIE published Helldivers)
Ballistic Moon (former Supermassive people)
Deviation Games (former CoD people, SIE partnership like Haven.)
 FireWalk (another SIE partnership, but owned by another company)
Team Ninja (very unlikely, several SIE partnerships like Nioh, but owned by another company)

Not completely sure if it means anything.

But it's interesting that Ballistic Moon alone is listed along with first party studios.

We have know they're working on a ps5 title for a while. They're on a fairly short list of obvious acquisition targets.
Arrowhead Game Studios (SIE published Helldivers)
Ballistic Moon (former Supermassive people)
Deviation Games (former CoD people, SIE partnership like Haven.)
 FireWalk (another SIE partnership, but owned by another company)
Team Ninja (very unlikely, several SIE partnerships like Nioh, but owned by another company)

I agree.  very speculative.  an interesting mistake at the very least. it means at least one person in Sony didn't understand that they aren't first party.  suggests at least a very close working relationship. 

Saudi Arabia now owns 7% of Nintendo's shares.

Apparently also spent over a billion between Capcom and Nexon (https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/saudi-arabia-has-bought-a-1-billion-chunk-of-capcom-and-nexon/)

Says more than 5% of each company.

Probably cost over a billion for just Nexon to be honest.

All I can say is, we're aiming to get every single title we publish from now on, onto Game Pass. In doing so, we'll secure success for each title, and relieve immense pressure for the devs

But please gamers, continue to explain why it's bad for us

— Mike Rose (@RaveofRavendale) February 15, 2023

wonder how long it will take him to realize that his studio is dead the first time MS says, "no thanks.  we don't need that on game pass"

All I can say is, we're aiming to get every single title we publish from now on, onto Game Pass. In doing so, we'll secure success for each title, and relieve immense pressure for the devs

But please gamers, continue to explain why it's bad for us

— Mike Rose (@RaveofRavendale) February 15, 2023

wonder how long it will take him to realize that his studio is dead the first time MS says, "no thanks.  we don't need that on game pass"

Yeah it's a really silly thing to boast about. Plus it kinda irks me that he's a publisher yet he's talking about relieving immense pressure on developers. Do they not take on any of the risk for the games they publish?

Saudi Arabia now owns 8+% of Nintendo (https://www.middle-east-online.com/en/saudi-sovereign-wealth-fund-now-holds-826-nintendo-stock)

EA and Take Two stake increase as well (https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/saudi-wealth-fund-increases-stakes-in-ea-and-take-two-interactive)

https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2023/02/19/sony-playstation-acquired-ballistic-moon/ (https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2023/02/19/sony-playstation-acquired-ballistic-moon/)

https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2023/02/19/sony-playstation-acquired-ballistic-moon/ (https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2023/02/19/sony-playstation-acquired-ballistic-moon/)

The pitch book website is speculative.

It got updated at the same time the rumors came up.

Apparently Take Two's stock went up today because an *attention seeker* tweeted out that Sony is interested in buying them; in response to Activision Blizzard.

(https://media.tenor.com/_0AGcJvL5QYAAAAM/jim-halpert-face.gif)

at ~20 billion i don't know if sony could afford it.   ..or if it would be worth it.   would they dare make it exclusive?  is xbox small enough not to matter?  or would it just be collateral for MS to stop pulling things from playstation.

at ~20 billion i don't know if sony could afford it.   ..or if it would be worth it.   would they dare make it exclusive?  is xbox small enough not to matter?  or would it just be collateral for MS to stop pulling things from playstation.

Sure they could afford it. Whether they would want to is always the issue.

They probably couldn't afford it in cash, it would likely be a combination of loans, stock, cash they do have.

Take Two would be huge with Bioshock, Red Dead Redemption, Grand Theft Auto.
They also own Zynga.

But Take Two probably isn't interested.

I still think it's much more likely Sony will go on a buying streak of small studios instead.

Sure they could afford it. Whether they would want to is always the issue.

They probably couldn't afford it in cash, it would likely be a combination of loans, stock, cash they do have.

Take Two would be huge with Bioshock, Red Dead Redemption, Grand Theft Auto.
They also own Zynga.

But Take Two probably isn't interested.

publicly traded.  they'll take it if the offer is high enough but:
1. even though the whole market is in a bubble TT's stock is down from the ATH.  Sony would probably need to offer 30B. 
2. MS would instantly outbid them. 

If Sony expected cod to go through, could they buy take 2 while microsoft is "locked out" atm?

If Sony expected cod to go through, could they buy take 2 while microsoft is "locked out" atm?

like with ABK it would take a long time.  even if an offer was made today it would be months before they are locked in.  would require shareholder approval which would not happen even MS made even a slight inclining that they would bid. 

I think if the Activision deal goes through or not, if Sony buys take two, it will open the door for MS to buy more publishers. Because at that point MS will say "hey, Sony is doing it too" and go and buy another publisher or two.

If the Activision deal goes through, when MS try to buy another publisher (and they will) i wont think it would go through specially after the scrutiny that this deal is receiving.

If it doesn't go through, MS will think twice before buying off any publishers. Doubt they would be able to buy EA or take two. But maybe ubisoft

MS will get ABK and TT and whoever else they want.   then next gen Sony is a first part machine only. 

*competition*

this is more of a wish than an expectation but ..

I wish Sony would:
1. aquire Harmonix
2. revive rock band as "rock band live".  instead of (or in addition to) selling songs they did what just dance is doing with their songs and selling 12 months unlimited access to the catalog.
3. got some native PS5 instruments out so I could replace my shotty drums.  

I know it's not doing as well as it used to but I still like it. it deserves to live on and with Sony's ties to the music industry I'll bet they could make it happen.

while we're at it they should get DDR from Konami too.  and maybe samba from Sega.  

each could be "premium" products too.  I'd pay a few hundred for a DDR pad or new drum kit. 

I just want Sony to acquire some RPG studios.

Make some Bethesda-style and Final Fantasy style RPGs.

I just want Sony to acquire some RPG studios.

Make some Bethesda-style and Final Fantasy style RPGs.

Here's a good buy/partnership for them. Small studio ex bethesda guys

Welcome (https://www.oncelostgames.com/)

Here's a good buy/partnership for them. Small studio ex bethesda guys

Welcome (https://www.oncelostgames.com/)

This sounds exactly like what I'd like to see happen.

Apparently Take Two's stock went up today because an *attention seeker* tweeted out that Sony is interested in buying them; in response to Activision Blizzard.

(https://media.tenor.com/_0AGcJvL5QYAAAAM/jim-halpert-face.gif)

Amusing how widely the "Sony is buying Take-Two" rumor has spread, given that it originated from a single Twitter account. Some other tweets from the same account over the last year... pic.twitter.com/Y7R19UJUNB

— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier) March 7, 2023

This is a big win for our team! As we look to continue producing high-quality, new, and remastered games that do justice to the original IP; we could think of no better long-term partner than @atari https://t.co/icK4zbQBe2

— Nightdive Studios (@NightdiveStudio) March 23, 2023

A PS5 version of Redfall was in development, then cancelled, confirms Arkane director Harvey Smith:

"We were acquired by Microsoft and it was a change with capital C. They came in and they said 'No PS5, we're focusing on Xbox, PC and the Game Pass'.

Via: https://t.co/Bh6R6n56Ry pic.twitter.com/GqnYg8nIUY

— Shinobi602 (@shinobi602) March 22, 2023

One of the bad sides of aquisitions.

what was MS's quote?  bring games to more people?   

...didn't realized i had improved access to games by being forced to purchase into multiple ecosystems...

what was MS's quote?  bring games to more people?  

...didn't realized i had improved access to games by being forced to purchase into multiple ecosystems...

Clearly CoD is the only "game" they will make.

Today is a historic moment. We are excited to announce that the world-renowned franchises and talented people at @doinksoft will be joining Team Devolver! pic.twitter.com/16wP3iH6Ab

— Devolver Digital (@devolverdigital) April 3, 2023

I know it's a joke, but why red dead redemption 2? I can't find a connection or a technicality.

I know it's a joke, but why red dead redemption 2? I can't find a connection or a technicality.

I think it's an ongoing joke.

Hello, we’d like to publish your new cowboy game on PC.

— Devolver Digital (@devolverdigital) September 20, 2018

Nobody has to know, we can keep this a secret from TakeTwo. We know a person at Steam and can set you up with PC dev kits. Like this tweet if you want to talk more.

— Devolver Digital (@devolverdigital) September 20, 2018

We’re based out of Texas so we are familiar with horses and chewing tobacco. Also, we own a gun. That last part isn’t threat, just that knowing about guns seems a plus for this game.

— Devolver Digital (@devolverdigital) September 20, 2018

Red Dead Redemption 2

— Devolver Digital (@devolverdigital) December 30, 2022

New: Saudi company Savvy Games Group has agreed to acquire game-maker Scopely for $4.9 billion. Full article on web soon. pic.twitter.com/5pXshF36x4

— Cecilia D'Anastasio (@cecianasta) April 5, 2023

First big acquisition for this thread.

New: Saudi company Savvy Games Group has agreed to acquire game-maker Scopely for $4.9 billion. Full article on web soon. pic.twitter.com/5pXshF36x4

— Cecilia D'Anastasio (@cecianasta) April 5, 2023

First big acquisition for this thread.

You can buy Manchester United for that price

It looks like Bethesda has acquired Nemesys Games in Budapest, Hungary.

The studio will now be known as "ZeniMax Online Studios Hungary". The team is working on "Elder Scrolls Online as well as unanounced projects".

via @bogorad222https://t.co/Qfo2FfGrYl pic.twitter.com/ck7lSl8Ujf

— Klobrille (@klobrille) April 5, 2023

I wonder if acquisitions will slow down due to the economy.

I wonder if acquisitions will slow down due to the economy.

I would say they already have:
On the most expensive list:
2017: 2
2018: 7
2019: 5
2020: 17
2021: 21
2022: 6 (Although includes the two biggest acquisitions ever.)
2023: 2

I wonder if acquisitions will slow down due to the economy.

they may speed up,.. at least from MS.  in a down economy where people are struggling is the best time for the big boys with deep pockets to buy things cheap. 

not just gaming,.. bad economies are always times of "consolidation". 

Sega Nears Deal For 'Angry Birds' Mobile Game Maker - WSJ (https://www.wsj.com/articles/sega-nears-deal-for-angry-birds-mobile-game-maker-12bc7984?st=xgvgl7g86rb5yh3&reflink=share_mobilewebshare)

Sega nearing $1 billion deal for Angry Birds developer.

Angry Birds maker Rovio rebuffed an acquisition offer from Playtika for close to $750 million. Now, the company is close to selling to Sega for about $1 billion. https://t.co/33MawjaP9t

— Nick Statt (@nickstatt) April 14, 2023

well congratz to MS.  they'll have a majority of the mobile game revenue after they acquire sega.

Sega Nears Deal For 'Angry Birds' Mobile Game Maker - WSJ (https://www.wsj.com/articles/sega-nears-deal-for-angry-birds-mobile-game-maker-12bc7984?st=xgvgl7g86rb5yh3&reflink=share_mobilewebshare)

Sega nearing $1 billion deal for Angry Birds developer.

Angry Birds maker Rovio rebuffed an acquisition offer from Playtika for close to $750 million. Now, the company is close to selling to Sega for about $1 billion. https://t.co/33MawjaP9t

— Nick Statt (@nickstatt) April 14, 2023

Since when was Sega doing that good? I guess they made a lot of money in 2022 but otherwise they haven't been making that much profit.

Most people on Era: how is Angry Birds worth a billion dollars?

Me: how does Sega have a billion dollars to throw around?

Since when was Sega doing that good? I guess they made a lot of money in 2022 but otherwise they haven't been making that much profit.

A lot of mergers are financed with loans from a bank or some other financial institution

Some other times they pay with stocks + cash

Sonic must be bringing in the dollars

Sega confirms the acquisition of Angry Birds creator Rovio pic.twitter.com/OnT6VwWWR1

— Andy Robinson (@AndyPlaytonic) April 17, 2023

AQUIRIS is Joining Epic and Becoming Epic Games Brasil - Epic Games (https://www.epicgames.com/site/en-US/news/aquiris-is-joining-epic-and-becoming-epic-games-brasil)

Today we are announcing that Brazil-based game studio, AQUIRIS, is joining Epic Games. This acquisition builds upon an investment that Epic made in AQUIRIS in early 2022.

The AQUIRIS team will be the foundation of Epic Games Brasil, the first Epic studio in Latin America. Founded in 2007, AQUIRIS is best known for its award-winning titles including Wonderbox and the Horizon Chase franchise. Headquartered in the city of Porto Alegre, the AQUIRIS team of developers will join Epic Games to create groundbreaking content and social experiences within Fortnite.

Atari Announces Acquisition of More than 100 PC and Console (https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2023/04/19/2650476/0/en/Atari-Announces-Acquisition-of-More-than-100-PC-and-Console-Titles-from-the-80s-and-90s.html)


Atari acquired the rights to over 100 PC/Console games from the 80's and 90's.

Weird move.

Atari Announces Acquisition of More than 100 PC and Console (https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2023/04/19/2650476/0/en/Atari-Announces-Acquisition-of-More-than-100-PC-and-Console-Titles-from-the-80s-and-90s.html)


Atari acquired the rights to over 100 PC/Console games from the 80's and 90's.

Weird move.

Oh no. I've been hoping they'd sell their game rights, not buy more.

Focus Entertainment acquiring Dovetail Games (https://cdn.focus-home.com/admin/investor/website/desktop/_FILES/Communiques/20230420_pr_ca_q4_22_23.pdf)

Acquisition season seems to be back in full swing.

Focus Entertainment acquiring Dovetail Games (https://cdn.focus-home.com/admin/investor/website/desktop/_FILES/Communiques/20230420_pr_ca_q4_22_23.pdf)

Acquisition season seems to be back in full swing.

Train sim devs according to google. Not the type of game I thought Focus was focused on.

Tencent subsidiary acquires Lucid Games (https://www.gematsu.com/2023/07/tencent-subsidiary-lightspeed-studios-acquires-lucid-games)



(Destruction All Stars developer)

Capcom has acquired CG studio 'Swordcanes' (https://www.capcom.co.jp/ir/english/news/html/e230726c.html)

Swordcanes strength lies in 3D computer graphics production technology in consumer home video game development and the studio has carried out work on major Capcom titles in the past. As such, Capcom decided to make the studio its wholly-owned subsidiary to sustainably bolster its developmental and technological capabilities.

Japanese CG studio that worked on stuff for Final Fantasy XVI, Street Fighter VI, Hi-fi Rush

SIE acquires a headphone maker

Sony PlayStation keeps acquiring. Just bought headphone maker Audeze

But Audeze is not going PlayStation-only and will remain multi-platform, Sony says. pic.twitter.com/M85szCjmUY

— Stephen Totilo (@stephentotilo) August 24, 2023

That feels like a weird choice...

not that weird.  in the sub-industry of "audio devices" sony is already one of the biggest players.   i exclusively use them as they have the best value imo.   the cheaper devices are absolute garbage.   the better quality devices (and there are few) and like orders of magnitude more expensive.  

i have 3 sony headsets right now.
1. wired
2. bluetooth
3. playstation

they are all great headsets.

i don't know anything specific about audeze but i do have one thought,.. "consolidation".

not that weird.  in the sub-industry of "audio devices" sony is already one of the biggest players.   i exclusively use them as they have the best value imo.   the cheaper devices are absolute garbage.   the better quality devices (and there are few) and like orders of magnitude more expensive.  

i have 3 sony headsets right now.
1. wired
2. bluetooth
3. playstation

they are all great headsets.

i don't know anything specific about audeze but i do have one thought,.. "consolidation".

Maybe they have some patent or a really good work force. Either way this makes sense, like you said Sony is a huge player in the audio market.

Not acquisition news, but thought this was relevant.

Gamesindustry.biz (https://www.gamesindustry.biz/so-microsoft-now-owns-activision-blizzard-how-will-this-affect-the-rest-of-the-industry)

"Sony has one of the most impressive content catalogues on Earth," Severin explains. "Bringing it together in a subscription offering for example could pose a solid competitive answer to Xbox's cross-platform efforts. It will be increasingly difficult to compete with Microsoft on games only. The only response for Sony on the games-only side would be buying something really big like Take-Two, but that is unlikely."

Harding-Rolls predicts Sony will remain active in M&A but will retain its strong position in the current console generation, while Toto expects the company to maintain its current product strategy of focusing on $70 blockbusters.

"Sony surely is under pressure to react, even after their Bungie acquisition," he says. "I expect further investments and acquisitions for PlayStation, including a large one that would move the needle for them in a meaningful way."

Mergers and acquisitions in the game industry are likely to increase next year, according to a report from @DrakeStar_

Firm predicts Tencent, Sony, Take-Two and Savvy/Scopely as the most likely acquirers, while Embracer is expected to divest more studioshttps://t.co/CqanFERCWi pic.twitter.com/hc6w6Yp9Ny

— Stephen Totilo (@stephentotilo) October 27, 2023

By the sheer number of deals, that was a two-year low. But the deal value exceeded three of the last five quarters, when all the deals tallied in each period totaled less than $1 billion.
M&A deals for 2023's third quarter included mobile gaming firm Playtika's purchase of Youda Games and Innplay Labs for around $450 million as well as the successful $1.7 billion offer led by Goldman Sachs to take educational gaming platform Kahoot private.
Drake Star also counted nearly $1 billion in private investment for the quarter, up from the spring. Investments were primarily in PC, console or blockchain companies.

"While it is true that it is harder for founders to raise an early stage round and even harder to raise a growth/late stage round compared to 2021, it is also true that we have never had more gaming-focused VC funds than now," he says.
He pointed to Bitkraft, A16Z's gaming fund, Play Ventures, Griffin Gaming, Vgames and Makers Fund as examples, and said "several of them are in the process of raising follow-up funds."
"Valuations have come down, but that also makes it more attractive for VCs to invest now in the future unicorns."

Metzger anticipates Tencent, Sony, Take-Two and Savvy/Scopely will be the most active buyers in 2024, while the Embracer Group is expected to divest more studios.
Public companies, including Nintendo, EA and Nexon, are sitting on $45 billion in cash and cash equivalents, setting up the potential for more M&A, according to venture capital firm Konvoy Ventures.
Yes, but: It's been a year of panic for industry pros, who have despaired over job cuts and lessening investment.

I expect savvy will invest heavily in games and e-sports in the next two years

Sony acquires iSize, specializing in Deep Learning for video delivery (https://sonyinteractive.com/en/sony-interactive-entertainment-to-acquire-isize-a-uk-based-company-specializing-in-deep-learning-for-video-delivery/)

Seemingly to help Sony with streaming.

Sony acquires iSize, specializing in Deep Learning for video delivery (https://sonyinteractive.com/en/sony-interactive-entertainment-to-acquire-isize-a-uk-based-company-specializing-in-deep-learning-for-video-delivery/)

Seemingly to help Sony with streaming.

Seems like stuff like this is being held back by phones and whatever is receiving the stream. A tweaked version of DLSS could work great but if you have the hardware to run DLSS, why would you be streaming?

Sony has made a strategic investment in African gaming startup Carry1st (https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/29/playstation-maker-sony-invests-in-african-gaming-startup-carry1st-.html)

Cordel Robbin-Coker, CEO and co-founder of Carry1st, said talks with the Sony Innovation Fund began about eight to nine months ago, and that his pitch to the PlayStation console maker was that Africa is the next big market to find growth in video games.

"As large companies like Sony that have really strong footholds in tier-one and tier-two markets start thinking about where the next billion customers and gamers are going to come from, our pitch is that Africa is a prime market for that," Robbin-Coker told CNBC in an interview.

Sony is coming into an emerging gaming market with blistering growth potential. Sub-Saharan Africa's gaming industry is expected to generate over $1 billion for the first time in 2024, according to research from Carry1st and venture capital firm Konvoy.

good move by sony.   RotW is where ps really curb stomps xbox.    not sure what the numbers are for africa but there seems to be a lot of investment interest lately (not just video games).

Gearbox was sold from Embracer to Take Two

While Embracer's purchase of Gearbox was widely reported as a $1 billion deal, it was never that simple. Lots of strings attached, as you can see in the release at the time https://t.co/pkqcQfMRFz pic.twitter.com/lwKL89Zpum

— Stephen Totilo (@stephentotilo) March 28, 2024

Relic Entertainment goes independent from Sega (https://www.gamesindustry.biz/sega-sells-relic-and-will-cut-240-jobs-across-uk-studios)

Relic is best known for the Company of Heroes and Dawn of War games, and recently developed the new Age of Empires for Microsoft. Relic will transition to an independent studio and will no-longer be part of the Sega group of studios.

Glad gearbox lives to see another day.