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Microsoft Isn't Done Acquiring Game Studios and Is Setting Its Sights on Asian Developers Next

Microsoft isn't done acquiring game studios, said Phil Spencer at X019. In fact, they are setting their sights on Asian developers next.

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wccftech.com
codelyoko2410d ago

They should buy Team Ninja and let them remake Ninja Gaiden.

Obscure_Observer2410d ago

They should be go big and acquire From Software or Sega!

Sonyslave32410d ago

And capcom or if not get some of devs from these companies sega& capcom and let them make their own new studio like the intative from ground up.

Shiken2410d ago (Edited 2410d ago )

There are laws in Japan that prohibit foreign companies from buying Japanese companies. If the big three, only Nintendo is in a position to do that. Maybe Sony still can, but I am not sure now that they are based out of California.

So by Asian, they are probably referring to countries like China or Korea.

ReadyPlayer222410d ago (Edited 2410d ago )

@Shiken

That's a complete lie. There are many Japanese companies owned by foreign investors. It would absolutely kill an economy as huge as Japan if you limit foreign buyers that strictly, no investors in their right mind would trade there then. Sharp is an example, they're now own by Foxconn.

Segata2410d ago

Kadakaowa owns From Software. They are a massive multimedia corp and no leave SEGA alone. That is not happening ever.

Sophisticated_Chap2410d ago

@ Shiken

If that were the case, then they wouldn't be allowed to sell their shares in any stock exchange around the world.

KillBill2410d ago

@Shiken... it takes but a moment with Google to prove that wrong.
https://www.quora.com/Can-n...

rainslacker2410d ago (Edited 2410d ago )

I think the laws only apply to hostile takeovers by foreign investors. Otherwise, I dont think it applies to privately owned companies, or a foreign company gaining a majority share.

MS couldn't buy playstation unless sony sold it. Playstation is a privately owned subsidiary. Its questionable if MS would see value in buying PS considering the costs. MS could in theory take over Sony through gaining enough shares, which would give them control of PS, but I doubt that's worth it to them.

Nintendos pretty much in the same boat, except its not a subsidiary.

RedDevils2410d ago

xbox fans are so desperate, that they want M$ to buy every companies hilarious.

ifrit_caress2409d ago

I think Activision bought From Software. Look at Sekiro, developed by From Software, published by Activision.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 2409d ago
timotim2410d ago

That would be awesome! Could even use them on future KI titles. Makes a lot of sense.

2409d ago
Segata2410d ago

Won't happen. team Ninja is no longer a dedicated team. The the entire internal staff of Koei Tecmo. It's a brand now.

FallenAngel19842410d ago

Why would that require Microsoft buying them? Koei Tecmo would just commission that themselves

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 2409d ago
Chris_Wray2410d ago

It makes sense that they would, expanding their output of games into that of a different variety. Microsoft would also be smart looking at asian devs that make F2P & mobile titles, a massive market and source of revenue in Asia.

RpgSama2410d ago

Please no mobile developers or freemium developers, we don't need more of that here.

timotim2410d ago

Speak for yourself. I love games I can play on the go and get achievements with. Just maxed Make it Rain on my Surface Go. Did the same for Halo Spartan Strike, Dragon Mania and others. Still playing Rayman Fiesta Run, Gears POP, Asphalt 9, Forza Street and others. Microsoft wants Xbox on every device...sure, xCloud will cover a lot of that, but smaller games that can be played on a phone or tablet is valid too.

rainslacker2410d ago

Most of those are owned by tencent. Somehow I doubt ms is going to buy them

Battlestar232410d ago

Buy Square Enix and make Final Fantasy exclusive to Xbox.

Ricegum2410d ago

What a waste of money. JRPGs don't sell at all on Xbox.

2409d ago
No Way2409d ago

They would, if it's the only place to get Final Fantasy.

rainslacker2410d ago

Hope not. Square is one of the few big publishers left that actually still make good SP games. MS buying them would probably change their output to nothing but service based games.

Obscure_Observer2410d ago

@rainslacker

Funny how you like to acuse Microsoft of turning game studio´s into "GaaS factorys" when Sony just promoted a guy who is know to make service based games as Head of Worldwide Studios. Hypocrise has hit a new low!

Wasabi2410d ago

@rainslacker

***"MS buying them would probably change their output to nothing but service based games"***

How many Xbox Games Studios service based games can you actually list rainslacker?

rainslacker2410d ago

Yeah, funny. Especially since all the games they just showed, except maybe Everwild since i don't know much about that, all seem to be GaaS games.

Sony didn't just promote a guy whose known to make service based games, he just has had service based games in his portfolio. He also was part of producing other games as well.

@Frag

SoT.
Forza games have heavy service elements, but I'll be willing to remove that because it's nothing out of the ordinary for the series, and people don't understand that service based games have been around for a while.
Gears 5 MP is service based.
Halo Infinite is likely to be service based.
Crackdown 3.
Gears POP
Minecraft
Killer Instinct
SoD2

Upcoming

Bleeding Edge
Grounded
And I'm going to assume Gears Tactics

Probably some more. That was off the top of my head. I don't care to look up any more.

Wasabi2409d ago (Edited 2409d ago )

@rainslacker

The only game from your list that I agree with is Sea of Thieves, You seem to be using a very broad definition of what defines GaaS to justify your comments.

When I think of GaaS, I think of games like Destiny, Anthem, WoW and as you quite rightly highlighted SoT.
You seem to be defining GaaS as any game with DLC, do you consider Insomniac's Spider-Man a GaaS title?

As an example, You include Gears 5 multiplayer in your list, would you also define Naughty Dogs The Last of Us as GaaS?

https://www.destructoid.com...

We can also discount games that are unreleased, this is pure speculation on your part and not in any way fact. Neither you nor I can argue either way, so...

"Halo Infinite is likely to be service based" and "I'm going to assume Gears Tactics" don't really stand up in court.

In addition, both Crackdown 3 (Free DLC) and SoD2 feature DLC, but neither contain microtransactions,

https://www.tweaktown.com/n...

https://www.n3rdabl3.com/20...

For comparison, both TLoU and Rockstar's original RDR have fantastic DLC available for them, would you define these classic games as GaaS?

Killer Instinct is free to play, that is the business model, hardly a negative.

Minecraft was created by Mojang not MS, they bought the company, they didn't implement the business model.

You also include Gears POP, I'd be interested to hear your views on Super Mario Run, Mario Kart Tour and Animal Crossing Pocket Camp and whether you'd include Nintendo in your list of companies that specialise in GaaS?

So from your original list of 12 games, There is only 1 that we can clearly define as GaaS, hardly justification for your original comment of;

***"Hope not. Square is one of the few big publishers left that actually still make good SP games. MS buying them would probably change their output to nothing but service based games"***

DiRtY2409d ago (Edited 2409d ago )

Being on GamePass does not make your game a “Service based” game. FYI there are great single player games available on GamePass.

Outer Worlds, Forza Horizon, Tomb Raider, The Witcher, Banjo Kazooie, Devil May Cry etc. are service based games then? I doubt it.

What defines a service based game anyway?

A multiplayer game? If so, is Counter Strike a service based game for example? Or Halo? Or Age of Empires?

This catch phrase makes zero sense. It is a buzzword for some haters though. At the end of the day you just wish that your console manufacturer of choice would offer something like GamePass. Don’t hate Microsoft for it though.

Wasabi2409d ago (Edited 2409d ago )

@DiRtY

***"What defines a service based game anyway?"***

Aware that your comment was aimed at rainslacker, but allow me to define what defines GaaS in my opinion and also in the eyes of the law (US and European), as it will provide some clarity for rainslacker in his inevitable response to my post.

A service based game (GaaS) is a game that utilises a Client and Server relationship to work, the user has part of the software installed on their system (the client) the remaining software required to make the product work is located externally to the user (the server).

Examples of this are Destiny, Anthem, SoT etc.

Without the server GaaS will not work at all, you cannot even log in. You are effectively purchasing a product that requires a service (the server and server software) provided by the company to use.

A game that features single player gameplay as well as online an online component that ceases to work when servers are shut down is not GaaS.

GaaS may feature DLC, but a game with DLC is not automatically GaaS.
GaaS may feature microtransactions but a game with Microtransactions are not automatically GaaS.
Games as a service are always online, but a game with online components is not necessarily GaaS.

Games that are accessed through a subscription service such as PS Now or XBGP are not GaaS, unless they meet the above criteria.

My definition of GaaS is based upon the defining of a product vs a service in the eyes of the law, a product being something that works standalone, on its own without further support from the manufacturer.

Using methods of travel as an example a car or bike is an example of a product, whereas a rail journey or airline flight are examples of a service.

Kribwalker2409d ago

wow fragnun, you really got him there. I’ve never seen rainslacker so speechless. Normally at this point we would have had a 3 page long rebuttal that didn’t really make much sense and didn’t really prove anything, and we still haven’t gotten that.

I agree with you 100%. If the games rainslacker listed were GAAS then he should be adding a tonne of other games. I believe sony has more GAAS games this gen based off that list
Killzone Shadowfall had free dlc and MTs
UC4 had MTs
MLB the show 2014-2019 all have fifa ultimate team elements and MTs
TLOU Rematered is service based with MTs
GT Sport, you betcha
drawn to death
Dreams is 100% service based
driveclub, yep service based
on the mobile side sony has Fate/Grand order, one of the biggest mobile service based games out right now

I sure hope sony doesn’t buy anymore studios or they’re gonna be making strictly service based games

Obscure_Observer2409d ago

@rainslacker

"Sony didn't just promote a guy whose known to make service based games, he just has had service based games in his portfolio. He also was part of producing other games as well."

He´s a pro-GaaS developer/director so quit with the damage control BS! It´s pretty clear to me that no just you, but a bunch of PS fanboys has double standards when comes to GaaS! Sony has a guy that has a positive stance regarding GaaS as Head of Worldwide studios and that´s an undeniable fact! Next time, try and choose your worlds more carefuly! You know what they say:

"People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones"

rainslacker2409d ago (Edited 2409d ago )

@Frag

GaaS is a very broad definition. It's inclusive of a lot of different types of game distribution paradigms. It can mean games like Destiny which have continuous patch updates which can be distributed through various means. It can mean a subscription based game, such as an MMO. It can mean a standard release game, which also has added DLC after the fact, or MT right at release. Can mean games which completely require user connection to a server, then connect to other players, such as farmville.

All GaaS is is a nice little wrapper marketing term, but it's inclusive of a lot of practices that many people didn't like for most of last gen.

That is the way Spencer first used the term, that is what it means. Just because you want to reduce the list of GaaS games for your own argument does not change what GaaS is. Not all GaaS games are bad, and I've said that many times. Some distribution models are really good, others are really crap.

We can't discount unreleased games because my original comment was about MS output, both past, present, and to come, if only by implication.

In the end, it doesn't really matter what you think GaaS is, all that matters is what it actually is. I use the term the way the industry uses the term, and they'll continue to use the term until the idea of GaaS sours in people's minds, and they have to think of some new term to distract that they're doing stuff consumers don't like, even if some of it they do like.

@Dirty

Never implied that Game Pass is what made it service based. I implied that MS is making games which are based around service models, as described above. They're putting these games on Game Pass. Those games you mentioned would fall into the category of GaaS, however, they're more on the side of things that people actually like.

Believe it or not, GaaS is not a new term within the industry. What's new is that it's now a marketing term used to lump together any and all games that get post launch support through content updates, paid or otherwise, content distribution, paid access to games(like MMO's), or games which work on some service based method, such as all those facebook games. I would include TLOU and Gears 5 in the list, and maybe some of those games Frag is trying to distract from my point with, or at least their MP. Like I said above, sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad. With or without game pass, these games would still be service based to some degree. The reason it's now a marketing term is because it gave the industry a new way to market ideas that have been getting more push back since the beginning of this gen.

@Krib

If the only way he can get me is to redefine what GaaS is, then he didn't get me.

@Obscure

I'm not damage controlling. What I said is true. I do believe he's pro-GaaS. But as of now, he hasn't shown that he's taking Sony's game that direction in a heavy handed way. That may come in the future, but I was speaking about what we know of MS now, not what Sony may do in the future. I also don't doubt that Sony will have service based games, but they still have plenty that aren't, and I believe SE is one of the few big SP publishers which doesn't spend as much time focusing on the less attractive side of GaaS.

Wasabi2409d ago

@Kribwalker

***"Normally at this point we would have had a 3 page long rebuttal that didn’t really make much sense and didn’t really prove anything"***

As you predicted, right on cue.

rainslacker2408d ago

Sorry lots of words confuses you guys.

I'll make a TL:DR version.

GaaS is a broad term that MS is using for marketing purposes. Redefining what it is to support your own arguments doesn't make what I said untrue.

If you think it doesn't prove anything, then that's because you don't care to challenge yourself to think anything different than what you believe.

+ Show (8) more repliesLast reply 2408d ago
ccgr2410d ago

They're getting serious now

Kurisu2410d ago (Edited 2410d ago )

As a PlayStation gamer I'm really considering getting a Scarlett at launch over a PS5.

I had an Xbox One (never owned an Xbox console before) but I sold it after playing Quantum Break. I don't have a PC so it was the only way to play it. It was stupid buying it for one game but if Game Pass was a thing back then it would have been a reason to keep it. I mean, it's really good value.

littletad2410d ago

I'm still getting both. With Yakuza, that was the last main franchise I was hoping would make the jump. That leaves only Spider-Man and God of War for the games I would play on a Sony machine. But still, I think serious competition will make both companies churn out great stuff down the road. It's a great time to be a multi-console gamer.

Sonyslave32410d ago

Team ninja is a must and also some of these small devs that make mmos and mobile games if they want too increase their presence in Asia.

Segata2410d ago

They belong to Koei Tecmo and TN is the entire internal dev staff. It's not a small dedicated team anymore.

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60°

Take-Two CEO Once Again Side Steps Grand Theft Auto 6 Price Point

Strauss Zelnick says price of GTA 6 is being carefully considered and that Rockstar is focused on "making the most spectacular piece of entertainment on Earth."

Kuma54d ago

If GTA 6 abandons everything that made GTA 5 great, it will crash and burn right out of the gate. GTA 5 was funny and not at all PC. My worry is that they will cave to the PC crowd and ruin the vibes.

Eonjay54d ago

They got freaking BBLs twerking on the top of trucks for the gram, the freaking Flordia joker, and dude running down the stree in their undies and you are worried about it being 'too PC'? The internet has runied gamers. It doesn't matter how non-PC they make the game, you will all listen to the grifters telling you not to believe your lying eyes lol.

gigoran854d ago

"Rockstar Games’ co-founder and former VP of Development Jamie King said he envisions GTA 6 as a game that’s “maybe not quite as edgy or quite as funny” as its satirical predecessors."

oh yeah, totally internet grifters spreading rumors...

blacktiger54d ago

That's part of the plan, they destroyed you but they need to destroy the shareholders? Only 1 shre holder is the true elite that don't care

1nsomniac54d ago (Edited 54d ago )

Meh.., if it’s above £55 I ain’t buying it.

Rockstar are genuinely not half the company they used to be. I was a die hard GTA fan I’ve purchased every game and expansion and spin off day 1.

My opinion of GTA6 is that I can take it or leave it. Not bothered. They burnt too many bridges.

DaReapa54d ago (Edited 54d ago )

So they're actually leaving the door open for an L.A. Noire sequel? Nice!

VaNdAl54d ago (Edited 54d ago )

He should just come out and say it already it's getting stupid it's going to be a 100 bucks $200 for the special edition🤡🤡; 29315;🤣♿

Storm2354d ago

I won't be getting this game until I can get it for $70. SHoot, I could wait for it to be even lower. I don't need the game that badly as my backlog is still huge and I am enjoying playing other things.

Show all comments (13)
40°

Talking Aliens: The Video Games With Author Mike Diver

Skewed and Reviewed have posted an interview with Author Mike Diver about his pending book on Aliens video games.

70°

Xbox boss: Memory crisis could impact next-gen hardware pricing

Xbox boss Asha Sharma has discussed how component shortages will impact the company's plans for Project Helix.

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gamedeveloper.com
Eonjay55d ago

When does this end? Its killing everyone. Consoles and PC. And for what? AI? The benefits of AI are completely outweighed by the negatives. And the government should have never allowed one company to buy up all the RAM.

Lexreborn256d ago

This kind of proves this is an after thought product, most products like this are in r&d 5 years before they start mass producing. So they typically have the cost of components and things worked out long before assembly starts.

This is an assumption still, but I wouldn’t be surprised if project helix is similar to Scalebound,perfect dark and sod3. They had an idea but no actual execution other than concept stage. Being impacted by the ram shortage likely would also put this device 3-4 years out.

I’m not even sure MS has that endurance with Xbox yet

Fishy Fingers56d ago (Edited 56d ago )

I mean.... what?

We're at a point that Samsung wont even provide their own phone department ram because they can sell it at higher prices to 3rd parties (AI). Its more profitable to sell the ram than make their own devices with it.

You think because R&D starts 5 years ago the 3rd party component manufacturers will honour that price? They'll sell it to whomever is paying the most today, not some gentlemens agreement they made years ago. AI farms will buy more volume at higher prices than any console manufacturer will. It'll be the same for Playstation.

Lexreborn255d ago

Contractual agreements are not the same as “gentlemen” agreements. If you think that they work with their distributors a month before production then their entire business model is trash. They work with companies like nvidia constantly for building the graphics cards they need. They work with companies that build motherboards years in advance. This is what proper business planning does.

They are not buying components on a whim like a consumer. So again, considering the ram isn’t a singular module and is integrated into the motherboard I highly doubt they wouldn’t have a final schematic that they are supposed to be building around.

If they are delaying production another 3 years then it’s obvious again this is an after though project and is just trying to be responsive to their bad execution they had the last 14 years.

It also isn’t far fetched to use their failure to produce first party titles the last 7 years including the highly anticipated games I mentioned all being cancelled. That they would continue to you know… lie

Sitdown56d ago

You don't really know how this works huh?

Profchaos56d ago (Edited 56d ago )

Helix is going to be stupidly expensive

Instead of leaning into smarter upscaling techniques they're brute forcing hardware that will cost them dearly and it remains to be seen if it's genuinely going to provide a meaningful differential

I know in the oc.doace people like to brag about not using frame gen or dlss to get to high on a game but for the majority of players they happily use those technologies without a second thought

That's going to be ps6 vs Helix

Eonjay55d ago

Yeah with FSR 5 they should be able to offer a much cheaper version of Helix.

Eonjay55d ago

While this does seem to be the case, I am encouraged by the statement from Microsoft about wanting to provide affordable options. If this means a Series S style Helix, at least there will be something affordable being offered.

XBManiac55d ago

Series S is what has killed Xbox Series so... Will they dare?

blacktiger56d ago

It's called systematic inflationary. Yes we get it Microsoft, keep raising in the name ofall kinds of stuffs

pwnmaster300056d ago

Honestly if there was thing I learned from this generation is that new consoles arnt day one anymore.
I can wait 1-3 years.

DarXyde56d ago

Another important lesson from this generation: while Nintendo showed us that prices don't necessarily need to ever drop, we've now learned that waiting 1-3 years does carry some risk that prices increase. This generation is just bizarre in all the wrong ways.

LucasRuinedChildhood56d ago (Edited 56d ago )

The factors are largely external. Covid and Russia-Ukraine war causing inflation led to the first price increase in 2022.

Then we get Trump's tariffs increasing hardware prices, AI boom causing a RAM crisis, war on Iran causing a worldwide fuel crisis which impacts the cost of everything.

Gaming doesn't exist in a vacuum. The last few years have been a shitshow and lot of it was definitely avoidable.

DarXyde55d ago

LucasRuinedChildhood,

For sure. No disagreement on the external factors doing a lot of this. Where I have to gently push back however is on two fronts:

1. The pandemic definitely caused some issues: asynchronous development was a big issue and really complicated timelines and affected game quality. At the same time, when it comes to price hikes, it's really difficult to know what was genuine necessity and what was taking consumers for a ride. The pandemic brought about "stag-flation" which was increasing prices and stagnant wages, which was a problem caused by supply chain constraints. There was also "Greed-flation", where companies that were slightly affected or had no issues took advantage of the situation and squeezed everyone citing supply chain issues when there were none.

2. It's definitely true that the tariffs, AI boom, and RAM crisis were all things enabled by tech broligarchs throwing money at this caricature of a world leader, one of them being Satya Nadella. I don't think Sony and Nintendo have contributed much to this problem if at all, but Microsoft's Nadella I feel was instrumental in causing every one of those issues. Microsoft as a company contributed to both candidates (though they gave Harris 4x as much if I recall), but Nadella was all in on letting AI run wild. He paid for unregulated AI, and got a war that's not a war (even though Trump called it that at least five times on television) that screwed up helium access. So for me, I feel that one of the players in the gaming industry is a key architect of these issues, and for that reason I struggle a bit to think of it as "external".

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