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280°

What if Microsoft Really Bought EA?

M3rkMast3r|6059d ago |Article|64|

There have been a few, huge game changing shifts throughout the history of gaming, but the Earth-shattering, face-melting, brain-punching change that would result from Microsoft purchasing EA is nearly unfathomable. There are simply too many things to consider. What is that? You didn't hear the news? Well, looks like Microsoft would like to purchase EA. Sure, Microsoft denied this when asked about it, but since when has that ever stopped something from being true?

Culture gametopius.com

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Decerto6059d ago

Things would not end well...

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PLAYINB3YOND6059d ago

The problem with M$ buying EA is that EA would lose all of its sports licenses, because the NFL, FIFA etc want as many of their games of every platform as they can get and M$ only have 1 console. All M$/EA would be left with isoriginal IPs such as Mirrors Edge and Dead Space. Not a good deal if you ask me.

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BattleAxe6059d ago (Edited 6059d ago )

I doubt it would happen, but look at it this way, if MS bought EA it would put them on an even playing field with Sony as far as first party development goes.

All you have to do is look at Sony's IP list and look at Microsofts......(these IPs are either owned by MS, EA and Sony)

Sony - (PSN titles not included)

- WarHawk
- Socom
- MAG
- Resistance
- Infamous
- Killzone
- Ratchet and Clank
- Jak and Daxter
- Sly Cooper
- God of War
- MLB The Show
- NBA The Inside
- Gran Turismo
- Motorstorm
- Hot Shots Golf
- Heavenly Sword
- Sing Star
- Buzz Quiz
- Uncharted
- Heavy Rain
- Little Big Planet
- The Agency
- DC Online Universe
- Eye Pet
- Eyedentify
- The Eye of Judgement
- Modnation Racers
- Syphon Filter
- Twisted Metal
- Folklore
- Lair
- The Last Guardian
- Siren
- Untold Legends
- White Knight Chronicles
- Free Realms
- Home
- Wipeout
- Star Trek Online

Microsoft -

- Banjo Kazooi
- Halo
- Crackdown
- Forza
- Lips
- Alan Wake
- Blue Dragon
- Fable
- Lost Odyssey
- Perfect Dark Zero
- Project Gotham Racing
- Scene it
- Viva Pinata

Electronic Arts -

- Tiger Woods Golf
- Madden NFL
- NBA Live
- NHL
- NCAA Football
- NCAA BasketBall
- Fight Night
- Fifa Soccer
- Rock Band
- Skate
- Burnout
- Nascar
- Need for Speed
- BattleField
- Medal of Honor
- Mirrors Edge
- Army of Two
- The Sabateur
- Dead Space
- Dante's Inferno
- Black
- Mercenaries
- MMA
- Mass Effect
- The Sims
- Dragon Age
- Warhammer Online
- Dark Age of Camelot
- Spore
- Star Wars: The Old Republic

Edit: Some of these games such as all of the sports games, DC Online Universe, Star Trek Online and Star Wars : The Old Republic are produced under license and so the IP might not be owned by Sony or EA.

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darthv726059d ago

Do you think the solo license of the nfl going exclusively to EA was a good idea? I think competition breeds innovation and when others were shut out of making nfl licensed games it hurt that competitive nature.

Only one company making your games may be a convenience but one that seems limiting. You say nfl and others want their games on as many systems as they can to make $$. That same sentiment should apply to companies making games with the nfl and nba and mlba licenses as well.

MS buying EA might kill the exclusive license agreements and bring back competition for other companies who think they can do better.

I dont know if I should look at the prospect as good or bad.

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MNicholas6059d ago

they would be forced to make games for the PS3 and Nintendo due to existing licensing contracts. However, they would ensure that the versions on competing consoles are inferior.

That's how they roll.

As for the merger itself, it should be blocked by the feds to prevent one company from having, essentially, monopoly power. Capitalism only works when there's sustained competition among many smaller companies rather than market control by a single monopoly that gradually eliminates smaller competition.

Granted, many aspects of the American economy (thanks to deregulation) have been turned from efficient, competitive markets into virtual monopolies, but still, I think some major alarm bells will go off if this Microsoft/EA merger concept picks up steam.

Investors should be the first to worry. Microsoft, in particular, has never been a worthy custodian of monopoly power.

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evrfighter6059d ago (Edited 6059d ago )

"As for the merger itself, it should be blocked by the feds to prevent one company from having, essentially, monopoly power."

M$ buying EA wouldn't be a monopoly. The deal would go through. Activision alone discredits your statement. Then there's also Ubisoft

If M$ bought out EA. Nothing would change. Both companies business practices are too similar to each other to have a huge impact.

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DeadlyFire6059d ago

Nascar is no longer EA owned. It has split from EA.

Nascar has iRacing.com game deal for 2010 and also Nascar on GT 5 coming in 2010.

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IdleLeeSiuLung6059d ago (Edited 6059d ago )

It would not EVER happen and if it does, start selling your stock in MS as they have just proven that they have lost their business edge. That is like hiring Carly Fiorina to run HP after she ran that other company to the ground!

Basically it would cost far too much to buy out a large multi-platform publishers only to get rid of close to half of the platforms EA publish on. That's like paying billions of dollars on something you can't use.

Unless it is a huge franchise I see no reason MS or even Sony wouldn't rather just develop their own IP. Besides it seems MS strategy is to fund third parties to create exclusives games for them. Probably an expensive lesson learned from Rare.

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Aquanox6058d ago

I doubt this will happen. If so, the EA Sports brand alone would push millions to buy an Xbox since most of them are absolutely addicted to their games (FIFA, Madden being the biggest)

Also, just take a look at the plethora of high quality franchises EA represents:

FIFA
MADDEN
ARMY OF TWO
NHL
BATTLEFIELD
BURNOUT
COMMAND AND CONQUER
CRYSIS
DANTE'S INFERNO
DEAD SPACE
DRAGON AGE
FIGHT NIGHT
MASS EFFECT
MEDAL OF HONOR
MIRROR'S EDGE
NASCAR
NBA LIVE
NVCAA FOOTBALL
NEED FOR SPEED
SKATE
THE SABOTEUR
THE SIMS
SPORE

If this happens, they will be no way to fight Microsoft in terms of first party software. Then again, I really doubt it will.

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+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 6058d ago

RedDragan6059d ago

and went Microsoft exclusive, then Pro Evolution Soccer would become the Number 1 football game.

One would be restricted to a single console, the other would still be multi-platform.

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red2tango6059d ago

You do know that MLB The Show is exclusive to PS3 and it destroys 2K and The Bigs?

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Marquis_de_Sade6058d ago

No, seeing as PES is vastly inferior to FIFA, it would not be the number one game. In terms of sales only, but I'm willing to bet that a large number of FIFA fans on the PS3 would purchase a 360 rather than put up with PES, myself included.

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Biggunz6059d ago

What if a frog had a glass ass?

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Defectiv3_Detectiv36059d ago

They wouldn't make nearly as much money as an exclusive dev. If anyone were to buy EA, it would be Sony, seeing as how EA games usually sell better on that platform anyways.

Either way, gamers would lose out in the end. Ribbit Ribbit

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Grandreaper99996059d ago

Do the words "Game" and "Over" sit well with anyone here?

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cemelc6059d ago (Edited 6059d ago )

For EA maybe, for sony and nintendo not really.

If Ea where to fall, many new companies are going to take that place, that much is true

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Foxgod6059d ago (Edited 6059d ago )

And how are they going to fill this place?
They would have to make better games then EA is making now, if that can be done, then why is noone doing it right now.

If EA would be bought, MS owns all their IP's, i dont see anyone creating an alternative for all these ip's and make them sell better as well.

@below
If EA is bought, then its not pulling from the market, there would still be a yearly Fifa, a yearly madden and all their other games.
So again, how do you think anyone is going to take their place, if their place is already filled.

*slaps forehead*
You are seriously DUMB!

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cemelc6059d ago (Edited 6059d ago )

That would be the biggest chance for any company to rise, one of the big dogs is pulling out from 4 mayor consoles in the market now.

Don't you think there is a void to be fill right there??? like 30% void in the market.

Edit Above: A yearly sport game for xbox and pc, but i don't think M$ would allow his new developers(EA), to create games for PS3, NDS,Wii,PSP.

Could you please at least think for moment before writing?.

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BattleAxe6059d ago

The reason why EA is so big in the first place is because they make games for every platform including the iPhone. If MS bought them out, EA would lose its sports licenses to another company like 2K. The companies that own those licenses want their games on all platforms. Either that or the companies that are giving out the licenses would just give out more licenses to different devs.

Even if MS were to keep making those games for other platforms, they would make sure that the quality of everything else other than the XBOX 360 would be lower so the 360 would get the best versions, wich would cause them to lose big time sales over time.

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Sarcasm6059d ago

Wow... I'd just enjoy the last few PS3 exclusives left and then quit gaming altogether and become a monk and train for 50 years until I am physically and mentally ready to die and go to heaven.

Yeah... that's what I'd do...

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NotSoSilentBob6059d ago (Edited 6059d ago )

It would be like when MS bought other studios ie Fasa, As Jordan Weisman stated MS destroyed the development teams with their lust for greed. They would have alot of IPs and maybe a few good games the first few years, but eventually they would loose the talented devs and then not have the man power to release the games and thus they have the IPS with not enough man power. That still isn't a selling point. MS could not afford yahoo they will not buy EA.

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icarus19706059d ago

Would hope if they did buy EA, MS would realize the revenue stream from all consoles is huge and to make games exclusive would end up cutting their throats after such a HUGE investment.

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rawd6059d ago

I'm really looking forward to the next Need for Speed on HD-DVD

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RetroPietro6059d ago

HD - DVD?

EA should not go to microsoft, what will they get out of it?

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Arnon6058d ago

They would get entire funding for every game they make straight from Microsoft Game Studios, thus, making them nothing but pure profit.

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user8586216059d ago

the sky would be green n cows would fly :)

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Xephon086059d ago

You have to realize that EA would be a lot smaller they make most of their money ON SONY AND NINTENDO NOT ON XBOX so their market would shrink, just because EA is like this now doesn't mean that they will stay if purchased by Microsoft, unless you're telling me that Microsoft would still publish games on Sony and Nintendo which makes no sense.

Face it you have to take into account all that would be lost with this acquisition not just transfer all that to Microsoft.

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Marquis_de_Sade6058d ago

What you fail to take into account is the number of gamers who would purchase a 360 as a result of this, as an avid FIFA player, I wouldn't hesitate to repurchase a 360.

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AssassinHD6059d ago

I can say with absolute sincerity that I would quit gaming. I am not even kidding. The day Microsoft buys EA is the day that I find a new pastime.

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NoBias6058d ago

If something like this would make you quit gaming, then gaming really must not be a passion for you.

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ukilnme6058d ago

@ NoBias

Lol, that is a bit dramatic. Much like this.

http://www.n4g.com/up/13764...

I can't imagine why anyone would consider selling their PS3 over a multiplatform announcement.

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mfwahwah6058d ago

I'd only quit gaming if SONY stopped making consoles. Well, I'd still buy Nintendo handhelds, but I NEED SONY to play at home. I can't stand MS, and I lost faith in Nintendo. SONY is like the last bastion of the gaming I grew up with and loved to death. That's just my perspective on this based on the systems and games I grew up with, so don't get too pissy that I praise SONY and scoff at MS.

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NecrumSlavery6059d ago

Gaming would be dead

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Double Toasted6059d ago

just look at things at "face value" which is only, what I would think, to be half of whats really going on. I've thought about it enough to have my mind set on the only thing that would really happen would be the monopoly of sports games. Are people really afraid of that? I'm sure there are people that would be, but I think its fear of MS having a significant gain in power and resources. Thats my "face value" stance on the topic, but my well thought out stance is that...the deal just wouldn't happen, MS would have a mess on their hands and really wouldn't benefit from it. If EA had more games like Dead Space, Mirror's Edge and Army of Two and MS could acquire EA for a "cheap" price, then I could see it benefiting MS.

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chase1676059d ago

video games rules

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JeffGrubb6059d ago

... would be reason enough not to do it.

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Foxgod6059d ago (Edited 6059d ago )

MS would re organize the existing studio's into AAA studio's, force the ones that dont meet the standards to become third party studio's.

Also the name EA would cease to exist.

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cemelc6059d ago

The standard of M$ AAA is not too hi, if they think ODST is AAA, then by all means any studio from EA right now is a AAA.

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Foxgod6059d ago (Edited 6059d ago )

ODST is from a third party developer.
Not first party, if EA would be bough by MS, then EA would become a first party studio, not a third party.

You dont even know something as simple as that.

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cemelc6059d ago (Edited 6059d ago )

Your point is solid to a certain degree.

1-Good point they are now a 3rd party(But do they have any plan on making a multiplat to any other console???)

2-My point still stands, they think ODST is a AAA, Ergo any studio from EA would be a AAA by that standard.

Edit bellow: Lol says the guy who cant defend with a decent argument.

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Foxgod6059d ago

*slaps forehead*

Damn youre dumb.

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Mozku6059d ago

They would have a bunch of new exclusives, but no more money left to fund any of them. :P

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BubbleSystemSuck6059d ago

What if Sony bought Microsoft?
What if McDonalds bought Sony?
What if Nestle bought McDonalds?

Why peole like to write about hypothesis and not about FACTS

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Foxgod6059d ago (Edited 6059d ago )

Sony wouldnt survive it to buy MS.
Something about that a fish can only be eaten by a bigger fish.

Samsung can buy them both tho.

Also, Mcdonalds is a dwarf compared to the other company's you mentioned.

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Sarcasm6059d ago

What if Foxgod became a sensible human person that uses logic and common sense?

Yeah you're right, let's stop talking about things that'll never happen. Just like my example.

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JeffGrubb6059d ago

No. But EA's stock rose 5% on the news that Microsoft was considering buying EA. That was reported by CNBC, Fox Business, and Bloomberg. It is an interesting concept. This isn't supposed to be a news story, just an attempt to look at the landscape of gaming under such a change.

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KingKionic 6059d ago

Fox god....

Sony cant buy MS .

They dont have over 200 billion dollars .

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Foxgod6059d ago (Edited 6059d ago )

I take it that was sarcasm, hence your name.
If not, then your pretty stupid, cause what i said was perfectly sensible.

@above,
Indeed, thats why i said Sony wouldnt survive it, MS is too big of a fish for sony to eat.

However, Samsung can buy both Sony and MS, Samsung = Huge.

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mfwahwah6058d ago

Discussion is fun. You just shared your opinion. Why even bother doing that? Hmmm?

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mirroredderorrim6059d ago

I would destroy the backstreet boys.

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sedx6059d ago

why would EA do that?????????????

they make money on each console...they would lose a lot of money

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ipe6059d ago

buy pes insted of fifa thats it.

But wont happen

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etownone6059d ago

If ms bought EA, it would eventually kill the ps3 the same way the ps2 killed off the dreamcast. Cause it was EA going exclusive to ps2 and not the Dreamcast that was the final nail in the coffin.

I'm sure Madden and other sport titles would continue being multiplat for this gen, but you can bet the house that next gen EA titles including Madden would be exclusive to MS......

That is of course only if MS ever really could buy EA

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Jac5al6059d ago

What if sony bought activision?

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ukilnme6059d ago

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_v...

http://abbyhasissues.files....

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HypnoticMonkey6059d ago

Since when are 'what if..' articles considered news?

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mrdxpr26059d ago

what if sony bought rockstar?? there is a bigger chance of sony buying rockstar then MS buying EA? ...

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The_Nameless_One6059d ago

- What if Nintendo went with the Sony's SNES-CD back in 1991?
- What if the Dreamcast was launched in two years earlier then it did?
- What if Microsoft never bought Bungie?
- What if, what if, what if.

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harrisk9546059d ago

There is no way that the DOJ and FTC would ever let this sort of purchase go through. It is blatantly anti-competitive and most likely would be found to violate antitrust laws. With EA's exclusive contract with the NFL and their share of the video game market in general, I simply cannot see such a buyout being approved. MS is HIGHLY scrutinized by the government... not just in the U.S., but in Europe as well.

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FwanK6059d ago

What if KFC bought Sony?

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gumgum996058d ago

What if I ate all their chicken ^_^

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ForROME6058d ago

If MS buys EA, this $hit is over and done.....It will be MS vs Nintendo

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Bladestar6058d ago

Sony and the PS3 will be dead last this generation. The PS3 installbase game will be by the millions in the US and around the world... The PS3 will have no chance of catching up to the xbox 360...

ohh... wait... that's already happening...

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gumgum996058d ago

I, personally, wouldn't care.

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40°

Hideo Kojima put Low Roar in Death Stranding because gamers need more culture in their lives

thorstein|23d ago |Article|0|

It's important in life to maintain a broad palette when it comes to culture and the arts. Hideo Kojima agrees, as he continues to use video games like Death Stranding to introduce people to music and other elements they might not otherwise discover.

Culture Death Stranding Developer Hideo Kojima Industry Person iPhone PC PS4 Xbox One gamesradar.com

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40°

Mojang partners with Merlin Entertainments for the Minecraft theme park, Minecraft World

Christopher|36d ago |News|0|

Mojang has partnered with Merlin Entertainments to build the world's first Minecraft theme park in the UK.

Android Culture Game publisher iPad iPhone Minecraft Mojang Nintendo Switch PC PS4 Xbox One Xbox Series X gamesindustry.biz

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gamesindustry.biz

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50°

Yakuza Live-Action Miniseries Debuts March 17 Exclusively on IGN

Christopher|45d ago |News|5|

A three-episode live-action adaptation of the first two Yakuza video games will debut Tuesday, March 17 exclusively IGN. Each episode is about an hour long and will stream on IGN.com and IGN’s YouTube channel.

Culture PC PS4 PS5 Switch 2 Xbox Series X Yakuza Kiwami 3 + Dark Ties ign.com

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ign.com

- Comments (5)

CrimsonWing6945d ago (Edited 45d ago )

I hope it’s better than that Prime series… woof.

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shinXseijuro45d ago

Haven’t watched it . Is it not good ?

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CrimsonWing6945d ago

It ain’t great.

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Seth_hun45d ago

Looks like everyone is a miscast :)

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S2Killinit45d ago

I would like this.

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