If the Activision deal goes through, how will Sony respond?

[the-pi-guy]

It's kind of a scary question, but one that I think can merit discussion.

[kitler53]

by shitting the bed.

[Legend]

Probably with just minor things. Sony buying huge studios would be a waste since either Microsoft wins by buying studios faster or Microsoft gets blocked from additional mega buys.

Makes more sense for Sony to buy smaller studios that help their portfollio and tangential companies that help them diverse.

[the-pi-guy]

by shitting the bed.

Sure but what about after that?

[kitler53]

Sure but what about after that?

slit throat.

[the-pi-guy]

slit throat.

What about after that?

Spoiler for Hidden:

<br>Seriously Sony will be fine. <img src="https://vizioneck.com/forum/Smileys/default/tongue.gif" alt="&#58;P" title="Tongue" class="smiley"><br>

[the-pi-guy]

I think this has become more relevant.  

[BananaKing]

They need to buy take two

[SWORDF1SH]

At least if Sony did want to make a big acquisition they should be able to without any resistance, right?

[the-pi-guy]

Stolen from Era

[SWORDF1SH]

 

[kitler53]

i think it will take a generation at least but i do think sony is doomed.   especially starting at the launch of the ps6.   with CoD out of the way i can't see how anything stands in their way for sega, take two, SE, ect.    i think MS buys up any and every publisher that is willing to sell leaving sony with (nearly) no games and an unviable ecosystem.   sony first party is great but not great enough to entirely sell a console like nintendo does.   sony is a dead console walking imo.

...and there is no response to be made.   sony has like 1/100th the budget for acquisitions and MS will outbid them when they can.  publisher aquisitions is the new timed exclusive and sony can't win this fight.

[the-pi-guy]

I think the reality is:

- They're not going to let MS acquire the majority of the industry; even if MS wanted that. There are a few publishers that I think are out of reach for Sony or MS; or would similarly see an immense amount of pushback. Take Two, Epic Games, and EA I think would be immensely difficult. I would agree there's nothing preventing MS or Sony from acquiring Square Enix, Sega or Namco or Ubisoft.



- Critically Sony doesn't need to beat MS. They just need to have enough worthwhile stuff on their own. There are plenty of people that need games like God of War, Final Fantasy XVI, etc. I don't think Sony needs to outspend MS by any stretch. But I think Sony needs to make big moves to expand their base.

And I've said it an annoying amount of times. I think they need to make a broader range of games. First person shooters again, RPGs, etc.

[kitler53]

if ABK isn't off limits then what's the line? 

 every other publisher will be cheaper.  MS is still riding oh the lie that they aren't very big by pointing to prior years revenue.  ...and can do so for at least another couple years while projects are in-progress.  no other publisher has a game so huge as CoD.   

I completely disagree with you Pi.  MS will aquire a bunch more publisher before next gen starts.  they don't need to take every game away,.. just enough for the community effect to kick in which is why they will time their attack with the launch of next gen.  until then they will try to maintain their "good guy" facade so they can keep acquiring the industry. 

[the-pi-guy]

every other publisher will be cheaper.  MS is still riding oh the lie that they aren't very big by pointing to prior years revenue.  ...and can do so for at least another couple years while projects are in-progress.  no other publisher has a game so huge as CoD.  

The distinguisher isn't based off cost, it's based off how it would affect the market.  

It's been brought up that Epic and Valve would be substantially harder to acquire, because they have a strong hold on AAA Game Engines and the PC market respectively. Those would be much harder than Activision.

Take Two with GTA is probably as hard, despite Take Two being much smaller overall.