Pachter: “If Sony was really smart, they’d buy Warner Bros Interactive”

Reply Agree 42 Disagree 34

sparky771357d ago

They won't be able to outbid MS or Tencent so I don't see them trying for it.

Thegr811357d ago

I don’t know how you are getting downvoted cause that’s true. I love Sony but they aren’t winning a bidding war. Money talks sadly.

Agree 20 Disagree 26

roadkillers1357d ago

Sony could definitely outbid Microsoft on the basis that Microsoft needs asset allocation in different sectors and seeing how they are going to spend 70 Billion+ on Activision it might be more difficult. Tencent on the other hand, they have as much money as China allows them.

Agree 25 Disagree 18

1356d ago

neutralgamer19921356d ago

They won't sell for more than 10 billion and Sony can afford it. Ms paid more than 40% above market value . As far as WB are concerned so much of their work is working on established IP's owned by DC. So someone buying WB doesn't guarantee DC IP's

Also I think many of you don't understand the difference between company being valued higher and having actual cash in hand for acquisitions

Also Sony is a bank in Japan so they can come up with cash and have some of the most valuable assets in music and movies. They outright own the movie rights to the biggest and most sold superhero merchandise Spiderman

As far as patcher is concerned I don't believe anything he says. Whatever he says do the opposite

Agree 22 Disagree 7

roadkillers1356d ago

My biggest thing, whoever gets them would own one of the most historic gaming franchises: Mortal Kombat!

Agree 3 Disagree 4

mkis0071356d ago

The fact it would certainly fail to be approved is a factor. Gov't is pushing back on Activision as it is.

Agree 4 Disagree 6

ABizzel11356d ago

MS is true, but they’re stuck with the Activision stuff and any new acquisitions would completely derail that. Tencent is debatable, and as capitalistic and greedy as the US and companies are there is a real fear of China becoming to large of a superpower that extra efforts have been going in place to slow down Chinese takeovers.

There’s also the influence of relationships and connections within the industry. Would developers rather go to tencent and be stifled, or go somewhere like Sony and be able to thrive.

Also they’re allegedly selling the developers individually so there’s no need to buy the entire company. If anything Netherealms, Rocksteady, and maybe Avalanche are the 3 Sony should entertain.

Agree 5 Disagree 1

myfathersbastard1356d ago (Edited 1356d ago )

Not only could they not, there’s very little value in it. WBIE are a subsidiary of WB. One of Sony’s biggest competitors. And they own all the property’s/IP, that WBIE has worked on. That wouldn’t go with them to Sony. So all they would be buying is a developer, not a library of new content and IP to work with. WB wouldn’t hand over those licenses.
WBIE is a good developer for sure, but they aren’t worth as much as some people on here are thinking when you remove all the IP they have worked on.

ElvisHuxley1356d ago

Don't know why everyone just assumes that Xbox has unlimited access to all of the MS coffers, they don't, and have probably cut back drastically after acquiring the most expensive sinking ship in history.

Agree 1 Disagree 2

ShadowWolf7121356d ago

You're assuming that MS or Tencent would be WILLING to outspend there.

If Sony is willing to pay a price higher than MS or Tencent is, especially if the IP would only be licensed and not owned, then they very much can outbid others.

Agree 0 Disagree 2

Reply Agree 1 Disagree 13

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 1356d ago

porkChop1357d ago

Sony are interested, but WBIE would be worth considerably more than Bungie which Sony just spent $3.6B on. Whoever buys them will be dropping a lot of money. Especially with companies like Tencent, Microsoft, etc., looking to buy them, that number is going to go up.

Side note: I'm surprised Take-Two is even interested, they're only worth somewhere around $15B or so if I remember correctly. This would be a massive purchase for them, how are they planning to afford it?

LOGICWINS1357d ago

In Sony’s shoes, Embracer Group would have been my first and only priority. Imagine getting 240 new first-party IPs over night. IPs they can use for games, TV shows, AND movies.

I don’t know what the hell Sony’s thinking spending billions of dollars on these smaller lukewarm acquisitions when they could’ve pooled their funds for one significant purchase instead.

Agree 3 Disagree 8

DarXyde1357d ago

If it is as straightforward as giving money, they could easily be outbid and that's the end of it.

However, they might sell for less if there were other conditions. Bungie and Activision were overvalued, but I think it's not unreasonable to suggest prices are negotiable if it comes with other benefits.

Development costs must be nerve wracking if acquisitions are so in season now.

Agree 3 Disagree 1

neutralgamer19921356d ago

Logic

Embracer group would cost upwards of 40+ billion so I don't think that's happening along with the fact embracer group themselves are acquiring talent

Agree 2 Disagree 2

Reply Agree 43 Disagree 5

zsquaresoff1357d ago

'Michael Pachter, everyone's favourite gaming analyst'
I hope this statement was made as a joke.

cell9891356d ago

Pure sarcasms lol

Reply Agree 8 Disagree 0

Fonsecap1356d ago

That was going to be my exact comment, lol

Reply Agree 3 Disagree 2

Gardenia1356d ago

If Sony was really smart, they'd do the exact opposite of what Pachter says.

Reply Agree 6 Disagree 1

Reply Agree 31 Disagree 12

SullysCigar1357d ago

Well, Michael Pachter, if YOU were really smart, you'd be right more often. You're strike rate is awful as far as gaming goes.

Reply Agree 5 Disagree 24

JackBNimble1356d ago

So show some stats... I'm not a Patcher fan by any means, but at least back up what you're saying.
Or are you just looking for some easy up votes?

tay87011356d ago

dude EVERYONE knows pachter is a hack. is that you michael?

Agree 23 Disagree 4

JackBNimble1356d ago

I never said he wasn't, but you guy's just regurgitate the same BS and never provide sources to back it all up.

Agree 4 Disagree 16

SullysCigar1356d ago

Are you new to following gaming news or are you just looking for some easy downvotes?

I'm happy for you to show me I'm wrong. Seeing as you feel so strongly about it, I'm sure you must have the stats I'm missing and can back up your outrage?

Agree 9 Disagree 1

calactyte1356d ago (Edited 1356d ago )

https://segmentnext.com/a-v...

Yes, he's a hack.

Stats on how wrong he's been in the past:

1. Grand Theft Auto V would release 2010 (released Sept 2013)
2. Predicted the price of Kinect would be $50.00 (was over $150)
3. Said Microsoft would double the price of Xbox Live
4. Said Wii was in no shape to compete with Xbox 360 and PS3. (Wii outsold both)
5. Said Assassin's Creed 2 would feature Altair and would be set in the French Revolution.
6. Predicted PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii would be the last generation of consoles.
7. Predicted Xbox One was going to outsell PS4 by 75,000 units. (PS4 tripled Xbox One sales)

That's just the ones in the article.

Agree 12 Disagree 3

jznrpg1356d ago

Console will be dead . Sony will lose to Xbox last gen just off the top of my head . He’s said a bunch of dumb shit , I don’t need to catalogue it because he does it so often .

Agree 4 Disagree 3

Mr_Writer851356d ago

"but you guy's just regurgitate the same BS and never provide sources to back it all up."

Why? It's not a court of law, those of us who have been following gaming news for the past 15-20+ years all know he is a hack.

If YOU don't agree, that's fine, just ignore it, or do some digging yourself and find out for yourself.

Agree 2 Disagree 3

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 1356d ago

Unknown_Gamer57941356d ago

I for one am impressed by one thing Patcher has that most people don’t: the ability to miss the mark, over and over again, and still have a job. Most of us have to consider something called job performance, or in the case of self-employment, public perception is often key. It baffles me to no end that Patcher has somehow transcended that. Is that a perk of being rich and famous?

Reply Agree 3 Disagree 2

Reply Agree 19 Disagree 6

darthv721357d ago

If Patcher says they should... you know it will be someone else who does.

Reply Agree 15 Disagree 5

sourOG1357d ago

Anything but tencent plz

Reply Agree 14 Disagree 6

KingofBandits1357d ago

agreed we need to keep the filthy CCP out of gaming at all costs. China owns most of hollywood and influences much of the media with their filth. If gaming goes to the commies it might as well die

sourOG1357d ago

The AmCP and EuCP as well.

Agree 5 Disagree 2

Lionsguard1357d ago

They should just focus their money and efforts into home-grown studios.

1357d ago

sourOG1356d ago (Edited 1356d ago )

Huge gamble. People go after established studios because it’s better odds on a return of investment. That’s why there is often retainer money to keep the talent for some years in acquisitions. It’s difficult to spend millions of dollars on unproven product. You can put top talent together and they can still have no chemistry.

Dwarrior1357d ago

I'd rather see Sony buy Capcom, Konami, and Square Enix.

Reply Agree 9 Disagree 4

jznrpg1356d ago (Edited 1356d ago )

I’d want them to merge/acquire Kodakawa Corp . Then their anime consolidation will be full circle and they get From Soft . It makes sense in a lot of ways for them to merge as Sony has been acquiring anime stuff , they are big in movies and music and of course games .

KingofBandits1357d ago

I do not see the value in this acquisition at all. Sony buying FromSoftware would be a much smarter purchase and strengthen their brand in their home country. Buying Warner they get what RockSteady, who while being a great team really does not serve a larger role imo.

Reply Agree 8 Disagree 1

Reply Agree 0 Disagree 10

deadfrag1357d ago

Well for Jim Ryan Sony WB serves them well since most of the games that are been made by Warner right now are DC live services right!People don't want to believe but JR is the guy that going to Finnish the world famous PlayStation Brand Name...next chapters coming in just a few years!

Christopher1356d ago

Gotham Knights - single-player action RPG.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League - single-player or multiple-player action RPG.

None of them are live service games. They might have MTX/DLC, but none are designed with season passes and ongoing regular online activities.

So, no.

porkChop1356d ago

FromSoftware are already owned by Kadokawa. Why would they sell off a money maker like From?

Reply Agree 1 Disagree 3

KingofBandits1356d ago (Edited 1356d ago )

Kadokawa would be part of the acquisition, this news headline from earlier this year states " February 4, 2021, Kadokawa announced that the company had formed a Capital Alliance with Sony and CyberAgent to strengthen the company's creation, development, and acquisition of new IP while also maximizing use of existing IPs."

Agree 0 Disagree 2

porkChop1356d ago

That partnership is to build Kadokawa up. If they were looking for an acquisition they wouldn't be making a partnership like that. If Sony wanted to buy them they would do it before Kadokawa gets bigger and thus is worth much more money.

It's a possible acquisition, but entirely improbable. Especially after Elden Ring's massive commercial and critical success. Kadokawa doesn't need and clearly isn't seeking a buyout.

jBlakeeper1356d ago (Edited 1356d ago )

They would be getting more than just Rocksteady. NetherRealm which makes Mortal Kombat and Injustice would also be acquired. That is a gigantic win. And the Middle-Earth series would also become exclusive. That is unless these developers still had the option to stay multiplat like Bungie.

Reply Agree 3 Disagree 1

KingofBandits1356d ago

I still do not see the value, MK is just not a series I see Sony wanting to go after. MS would be more interested in them for sure. Xbox is a very western focused brand and games like COD, MK, Elder Scrolls all make sense for MS to buy or want. Sony being a bit more spread out culturally is going to want studios that create games that could be region/culture specific as we have seen for decades Japan is exceedingly capable of making games that appeal universally. I could be off base here but gaming's biggest market is the USA but the games people play in the USA are not exclusively western. The one company I could see Sony wanting from a western perspective is RockStar, mainly because of the strong brand association GTA has to PlayStation

jznrpg1356d ago (Edited 1356d ago )

They can’t acquire From Soft unless Kadokawa sells it separately to them . I think they should go and acquire/merge the whole thing because Kadokawa is huge with anime and Sony couldn finally start making some good anime games .

KingofBandits1356d ago

February 4, 2021, Kadokawa announced that the company had formed a Capital Alliance with Sony and CyberAgent to strengthen the company's creation, development, and acquisition of new IP while also maximizing use of existing IPs.

This leads me to believe the merger may be simpler then some would think. Especially with Sony heavily invested into anime as well

Agree 0 Disagree 2

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1356d ago

Knightofelemia1357d ago

Sony would need the other divisions on board then they have to agree to pony up that kind of cash to buy WB Interactive.

Reply Agree 1 Disagree 4

ApocalypseShadow1357d ago

Patcher. The analyst who knowingly tries to affect the gaming market with his statements. Not someone that looks at a market and critiques it. He seems to be doing this for himself or the portfolios he manages and the company he works for. No other analyst has much to say on gaming. But he seems to have an agenda in my opinion.

Similar to Microsoft talking about Activision. Then wanting to acquire Activision. Elon Musk talking about Twitter. Then wanting to acquire Twitter. Stocks go up. Value goes up. Someone gets paid. Money changing hands.

I don't trust his supposed "opinions." There's more behind it than it looks to the naked eye.

Reply Agree 7 Disagree 3

1357d ago

gangsta_red1357d ago

I'm sure this would be the smart move for any huge company

Reply Agree 1 Disagree 6

Lightning771356d ago

True but I don't think Sony will buy. Think about it they're handling the Marvel Universe with Spider-Man 2 and Wolverine. I think they're going to announce a X-Men game or eventually expand their own MCU with their version of the Avengers though that will take a good while.

I dunno if Sony has any interest in delving in the DCU like they did during the PS3 days. Especially while Marvel is simply hot and making everyone the most money across the entertainment industry

Reply Agree 0 Disagree 5

SolidDietz1357d ago (Edited 1357d ago )

The DC, Wizarding World and Lord of The Rings IPs are worth billions, WB wants to actually monetize those and would be a damn fool to sell to Sony. Sony should buy Konami's IPs that are just collecting dust.

Reply Agree 4 Disagree 3

TheColbertinator1356d ago

Yeah well they're not

Reply Agree 1 Disagree 5

TheDreamCorridor1356d ago

Is Warner Bros. also selling the IPs?

tay87011356d ago

no they only want to sell the studios and license the IPS. might be ideal for sony to pick up a couple of these studios like avalanche and rock steady. they then could use them to make some games for sony IPS. sony is sitting on a treasure trove of valuable IPS.

Reply Agree 2 Disagree 1

ALMGNOON1356d ago

Michael Pachter, the guy that can't stops taking Ls

Reply Agree 6 Disagree 0

Godmars2901356d ago

Would hope it takes more than cash amounts when buying talent versus IPs. That Bungie bought themselves out from under MS, that 343 is what it is, suggest the difference too many fail to register.

Reply Agree 3 Disagree 3

FanboysKiller1356d ago

Weighing on sales what matters, everything else is just finding alternatives desperately.

Reply Agree 0 Disagree 2

1356d ago

badz1491356d ago

If only we could stop with all these acquisition talks already, it would be nice.

FinalFantasyFanatic1356d ago

Scary isn't it? It's like people want another Disney or something.

Father__Merrin1356d ago

Ah good 9ld pachter he's been around for a while

plmkoh1356d ago

What a joker this guy. By this time next year his firm will go bankrupt.

Extermin8or3_1356d ago

This is plausible Sony have quite a good relationship with WB Interactive and the rights to games of the IP's they have would make it well worth it. MS has an obstacle in that after the Bethesda and activision acquisitions anti-trust laws would probably come into play. Congress has pushed back against wctivision acquisition as it is. Let's hope its not tenecent as ccp in gaming is bad for everyone.

Reply Agree 2 Disagree 1

DOMination-1356d ago

For anyone that is unaware, these are the studios that Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment own:

Avalanche Studios - Hogwarts Legacy
Monolith Productions - Condemned, Middle-Earth, Wonder Woman
TT Games - Lego games
Rocksteady - Batman Arkham, Suicide Squad
NeverRealm Studios - Mortal Kombat, Injustice
WB Montreal - Gothic Knights
WB Boston - Mobile/support studio
WB New York - They seem to focus on building stats for other online games
WB San Diego - founded in 2019. Their site says they are making a AAA free-to-play game
WB San Francisco - their site says they are working on DC and Harry Potter mobile games

Reply Agree 3 Disagree 1

FinalFantasyFanatic1356d ago

I don't really care for most of those games, I would be indifferent to Sony buying them personally, I think Mortal Kombat is the only one I'd be terribly interested in.

darkrider1356d ago

In other words, sony isn't buying Warner bros

Abnor_Mal1356d ago

If Sony can just buy a studio from WB, then they should buy Monolith Studios for the Middle Earth Franchise and definitely secure the rights to the nemesis system.

I would love to see what Sony could do with that system in their games. Spider-Man, Wolverine, Uncharted, Last of Us, Ghost of Tsushima, and Horizon could all do well implementing that system.

RosweeSon1356d ago (Edited 1356d ago )

If Sony are smart they’ll not listen to a word this guy says 😑🤣

Xx_Pistol_xX1356d ago

Wait so according to him Sony is going to die so why would they buy more companies to die with them. This guys logic is insane.

seanpitt231356d ago (Edited 1356d ago )

If they was really smart they would buy take two imagine GTA 6 ps exclusive I think that would overshadow the Activision deal.

I know it wouldn’t happen and I don’t want it to happen because all rockstar games needs be experienced by everyone

ElvisHuxley1356d ago

If anyone was even somewhat intelligent, the last thing they would be doing is listening to Pachter.