Topic: Which Studios Should Microsoft Acquire Next?

@Magabro
I could see either Apple or Google moving in on Sony. Possibly as a strategic business partner, I don't think they would be allowed to buy them. Japan is very weird with companies in Japan being bought by companies from the West.

@ZuneTattooGuy it would make a lot of sense for Apple or Amazon because of their streaming platforms (Apple TV+, Prime Video). Sony is probably the last big studio that doesn't own its own streaming platform.

But you're right, buying a Japanese company is more complex than buying a Western one. But if we're assuming that Microsoft could buy SEGA, we most entertain the possibility that another Big Tech could potentially buy Sony, if Sony is willing to sell. I'd assume they would have to be in a very bad shape in order to accept that.

@Magabro
Sony does own their own streaming platform
https://www.engadget.com/2012-07-02-sony-buys-gaikai.html

@Magabro
Sega is technically an American company that has offices in Japan. Though I don't see Sega ready to sell anytime soon. Sony, despite the Playstation brand being a massive success, is bleeding money on almost all other fronts. They keep heavily investing into their mobile phone division but other than making impressive expensive phones they are not turning a profit. Their movie division is very hit and miss, and when is the last time you've seen someone buy a Sony TV? They have many divisions that are not anywhere near as successful as their Playstation brand.

Sony are not doing too badly at the moment - obviously their Hardware market isn't the 'Strongest' as people have tended to move away from hardware in Music (hi-fi systems, Walkmans, Stereos etc) and don't buy VHS/DVD/BluRays for Movies anymore either. So apart from the the few Hardware items they still produce, things they don't produce as much so its not surprising its not their 'main' income stream.

Movies were not doing that well a few years ago, a few big 'flops' didn't help (the 'Amazing' Spider-Man 2...) but a few successes (Jumanji reboot, Marvel Spider-Man trilogy etc) and things have picked up for Sony's Pictures in recent times.

Anyway, enough about Sony as they are not doing too badly and showing 'growth' in their annual profits in recent years and its not really relevant to the topic.

Sega is not like a typical Japanese Company that would be particularly difficult for an outside company to purchase. However its complicated by all the 'holdings' of Sega - Resorts, Golf Courses etc etc as well as all their 'Gaming' properties.

I don't expect MS to invest in another 'Publisher' - unless opportunities present themselves. If they want to sell, then I'd expect MS to be 'interested', but I expect them to Consolidate and reorganise after acquiring ABK with maybe adding 'independent' Studios (like Undead Labs, Double Fine, Obsidian, InXile) rather than a Publisher with multiple Studios. Asobo, Certain Affinity etc are what I would consider most likely but we shall see...

Microsoft wont be allowed to buy anyone after this merger

@trev666 Why not? Its not as if they have the 'majority' of Studios or IP's.

TenCent are 'bigger' than Microsoft in a Gaming sense for example and its 'not' Sony vs Microsoft and Sony can't buy more Studios so MS shouldn't be allowed. Its more like MS vs Sony vs Nintendo vs TenCent vs Embracer vs EA vs Ubisoft vs Capcom vs Sega vs Square Enix etc etc Its nowhere NEAR anti-competitive or potentially monopolising gaming yet so no reason to 'block' anyone from buying up more Studio's/Publishers...

If you only own a 'small' fraction of the market, you can't control or monopolise the market. The fact is that there are hundreds if not thousands of Studio's making games. MS doesn't release the 'most' every year and 'every' game is competing for Consumers time/money. Peoplpe will still buy Nintendo for Zelda, Mario, Pikmin, Pokemon etc, People will still buy Sony for LoU, Spider-Man, Wolverine, R&C etc too - games never on MS hardware so should Sony and Nintendo be blocked from buying?

@BAMozzy As clearly as you explained the realities of the games industry, most will still it ignore reality and return with the same erroneous MS/Xbox "monopoly" arguments.

I wouldn’t mind them picking up The Behemoth and assigning them to a Castle Crashers II fine if it’s multiplatform; I just need that game.