Update: The studio acquisition wars are over? Far from it, as contrary to the comments in the original iteration of this article, Xbox chief Phil Spencer has admitted that Microsoft is still actively seeking out new studios to purchase. Fortunately, the suit pointed out that this isn’t a game of Top Trumps, like some fans seem to believe. “It's not really some kind of PR battle about how many new acquisitions we can put on stage,” he told Eurogamer.net. “Because if we're not building great games, the acquisitions don't matter. But are we done? I don't think so.”
And so it goes on.
Original Article: Back when your humble host was a wee nipper, forum battle lines were drawn with exclusive games. Online dwellers would spend nary an hour listing out first-party titles for their favourite console, and it was the device with the most high-quality software that rode away into the sunset with a smug sense of satisfaction.
As time has passed – and the number of bonafide exclusives has dwindled – enthusiast gamers have found new territory, most recently in the form of studio acquisitions. This all started with Microsoft snapping up a bunch of studios from the brink of bankruptcy a few E3s ago, and has been a common point of discussion ever since.
Sony, of course, responded with confirmation of Insomniac Games’ purchase – an acquisition, it could be argued, that it should have made many years ago. Either way, it looks like the “war” may finally be over, as Xbox has hinted that it’s “shifting focus” from purchasing developers to a new phase of “execution and delivery”. In other words: it’s time to make some bleeding games.
PlayStation boss Jim Ryan recently ruled out any imminent acquisitions, too, stating that while it’s always on the lookout for great teams, it will only invest in businesses that it feels are the “right” fit. To be honest, we wouldn’t be surprised to see Texas-based team Bluepoint join the Worldwide Studios family eventually, but for now we’ll be happy to see this point of conversation calm down.
[source videogameschronicle.com]
Comments 42
@3MonthBeef Do they need to? They practically release a new game every month, whether it's through internal teams or external partners.
Good. Enough of the d*ck swinging, time to actually make games. Honestly, looking at the huge strides Bungie are making after breaking free from Activision, maybe it’s better more devs keep their autonomy.
Sony has free road to acquire Remedy then.
Nintendo literally release the same game every year. And people eat it up. They have a set demographic.
After insomniacs acquisition xbox suddenly didn’t want acquisition wars anymore 😉
I feel its the quiet before the storm! Wouldn't be surprised if sony picks up hideo kojima's independent studio
Xbox vs ps4 was not a war because it was a massacre.
They may have cooled a bit with studio acquisition but games wise Yakuza 0 and the 2 Kiwami's going on game pass is a massive get for Xbox fans. Really didn't see that one coming.
@NomNom You mean Stretchers, right?
That stupid puff-chest stance and smug look on his face made me finally realize what Spencer is up to... he's hoping to get adopted by Trump.
I think people seem to forget Microsoft needed to buy studios to catch up while Sony didn't really need to.
Going by what has been said lately they will choose wisely about their studios while Microsoft just want studios that can pump out AA games for game pass.
@Shepard93n7 actually don't see them doing that anymore after the dissapointing control sales.
Plus they announced a game exclusively for xbox.
Some bad counter strike bootleg.
Even though i bought an xbox one last year.
The xo19 show has shown me 1 thing.
All studios
That microsoft bought are forced to create a gane for wales.
They are forcing
Studios like
Remedy (not exclusive)
Rare
Ninja theory
And obsidian to make mutiplayer only games.
Not single player games where those are verry good at.
@rjejr damn that game has some awfull character design.
@The_ghostmen I think they were going for claymation Rabbids. Claybids? Rabmation? I just like it b/c it isn't brown. Reminds me of Wonderful 101 a little bit.
@3MonthBeef in terms of major purchases, monolithsoft comes to mind... that was a good 7+ years ago now. i think it is just a matter of time before nintendo purchases platinum.
@get2sammyb
While I mostly agree with you, I do think Nintendo should add Next Level Games. Right now that studio is to Nintendo what Insomniac was to Sony before the purchase. The track record is pretty impressive. Mario Strikers, Punch-Out Wii, Luigi's Mansion Dark Moon, Luigi's Mansion 3. We're talking about a very good studio and probably wouldn't hurt Nintendo's wallet too much. Highly doubt it would cost what Insomniac likely cost Sony.
@The_ghostmen
The best announcement at X019 was Yakuza going to Game Pass. And since the series is still on PlayStation anyway, it's a nice get but nothing that will push consoles. MS, even after all the acquisitions, needs to step up. Don't like the fact that companies such as Ninja Theory and Obsidian get purchased and the first thing they show is multiplayer games. I know how the industry is trending but single player still has its place too and MS needs to learn that.
'PlayStation boss Jim Ryan recently ruled out any imminent acquisitions, too, '
Umm no he didn't.
@The_ghostmen
It's a shame about Remedy. I think Sony studios could really help them step up their games which fit in PlayStation immersive story focused games.
'to a new phase of “execution and DRM and delivery”
The way Microsoft using they new studio is just wrong.
@The_ghostmen I heard that they are only doing the single player component of that game. I don't see that as an issue for Sony buying the studio, also Guerrilla Games helped them with Control and they were very grateful on social media about that. Anyways there are others interesting studios like Blue Point Games, Ready At Dawn or Koji-Pro, after Insomniac everything is possible.
@NomNom Sony has a record off taking the time to let the developers make the best product they can. Im always happy too see them push back a release of a game for a quality product. Even if it does not get too released at Christmas or another big holiday. Now we only need more games like Concrete Genie or Rachet and Clank.
What's with this "enthusiast gamers" term being thrown around the site lately like some kind of insult akin to "alt-right"? Aren't all gamers essentially enthusiasts? Perhaps "partisan gamers" would be a better choice.
@JJ2 I agree he said we are not buying developers if it does not feel right or a good fit. I like think that shows that its more then a simple acquisition. And they care what happens too developers instead of buying and if it does not work letting them wither away.
@Paranoimia You do have a different grade of gamers. Im not saying one or the other is better but a casual gamer is quite something different then a hardcore gamer.
@Flaming_Kaiser Yeah, there are definitely differences, but using the term "enthusiast gamers" as some form of mild insult seems... a bit off.
Sony is definitely buying new studio.for the ps5 meeting next year they definitely will buy new studios.word up son
First of all, I don't think the aquisition spree is over. Secondly - you can't really call this a "war", when Microsoft took over few dying developers and Sony has just bought a single studio. And for the last one thing, Jim Ryan didn't rule out possibility of imminent aqusitions, just stated that while being a successful company you can't buy useless assets and the potential purchases have to be well-conceived.
It seems like they just want studios to flog Game Pass but the big flaw in that is it runs the risk of these games been seen as filler.
MS needed to buy studios because it was the same crap each year a halo a gears or Forza thats all they really have released since 360. They haven't don't anything at all with RARE they destriyed that company with making crap for the camera add on.
I've no idea why Scalebound was scrapped no one does even though it was one game people were looking forward too. 360 had a ton of games for different genres what happened during the development of X1 to promote TV TV TV I'll never know because every Xbox owner just wanted the same games games games but they didn't listen and it's bitten them really hard.
let us all be real for a second Sony is lightyears ahead of MS in the studios game simple as that.
There is no benefit to gamers by sony and microsoft having a pissing contest. The best games should be on all platforms it maximises revenue.
'as contrary to the comments in the original iteration of this article,'
Or maybe, you know, reporting should focus on facts like shifting focus doesn't mean give up looking.
Its like they get the Studios so no one else can and do nothing...
Or something big is coming from MS!
@hotukdeals Activision's Spider-Man games were on all platforms for a long time yet none have sold anywhere near as much last year's game. Just been on all platforms doesn't automatically mean more sales. Some games get a higher profile by been exclusive.
@PhantomXIII Dontnod after their next game flops like LiS2.
@Paranoimia What is are "enthusiast gamers" anyway? It sounds really stupid i understand what mean.
@AdamNovice Plus exclusive games are higher quality most of the time optimised for a platform.
Microsoft had to buy studios due to some really stupid actions at the start of this Gen when everyone seemed to be shutting down studios with the idea of 5 or 6 big games ruling above all else, being played forever being pushed. Only Sony and Nintendo had the sense to say "nope, we'er good, you go do you". All the big publishers are going to re-balance. On a side note, I could see Nintendo taking a stake Platinum games to give the studio more stability.
“Because if we're not building great games, the acquisitions don't matter."
But your not, Phil. I love games of all kinds but after selling my xbox one I cant think on 1 reason I would ever need to go back to an xbox one. I loved Gears 1 and 2 remaster and really enjoyed Dead rising 3 but nothing about Microsoft has ever made me think "Man, I'm tempted to get an S in the next black friday sale"
It's all about the games. Sony has established itself as a top notch publisher of adult oriented games. Nintendo does the same on the kid-friendly side. Microsoft? They've been lacking, and that was on full display this entire generation. When you look at the last 3 years of the 360 and this generation, the Xbox brand has been seriously lacking.
I think Microsoft will buy dontnod.
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