Microsoft, including the video game industry, is bad for everyone

It was beautiful at first. When Xbox head Phil Spencer took part in the E3 2018 I announced his discovery five well-known studios – Undead Labs, Playground Games, Ninja Theory, Compulsion Games and The Initiative – the atmosphere inside the Microsoft Theater turned into electricity. It seemed like the company was right error in his business plan and in the end create a list of fun games that can be offered on Xbox platforms. You know, a few friends to keep the Master Chief company.

Today announce that Microsoft buys Activision Blizzard, the third-largest publisher of a third-party television industry, does not feel that he has any problem. After four years and getting more out of it, the Activision Blizzard partnership is like a dangerous escalation of Microsoft’s plans, and it could be a turning point in the video game industry, with devastating consequences for players and producers.

In the meantime, what people are doing to get it has been mixed, which makes sense for a number of reasons: firstly, the large size of Activision Blizzard is risky, and this purchase represents more money and corporate power than what Microsoft already acquired in the integrated game. Second, Activision Blizzard is currently under investigation several times for sexual harassment and discrimination in the studio, with CEO Bobby Kotick overseen and in particular over the past 30 years. The Wall Street Journal says Kotick is about to leave the company with a gold parachute when Microsoft’s contract expires.

This is the first time that Microsoft has received a negative feedback on purchasing issues, rather than actual praise, because this is not a permanent feature. It is an obvious sign that we are in the process of integrating video games.

Back in 2017, Microsoft lost a major IP battle for Sony and Nintendo. By the end of that year, Xbox closed down its two inner studios, Lionhead and Press Play, killing a few. the most anticipated projects, and even with the Xbox Series X on the corner, there was not much to look forward to in corporate software stores. The purchase announcement at E3 2018 was a refreshment for the anxious Xbox fans.

As of February 2019, Microsoft had 13 studios and publishing houses under the banner of Xbox Game Studios.

And in September 2020, Microsoft unveiled purchase ZeniMax Media, Bethesda parent company, id Software, Arkane Studios and Tango Gameworks. Athletes were often entertained, but other people began to watch in disbelief. These studios were very large – the managers of Fallout, Doom, Dishonored, Wolfenstein, Deathloop, Starfield and Elder Scrolls – and were added to a large bunch of middle Microsoft companies, more names on the growing list. That alone was the reason for the first.

For many fans, the big question was, what does access mean in a game like Elder VI scrolls, which was part of a series that historically hit the PlayStation and Xbox platforms alike? In fact, he would Large Scrolls VI come to PS4 and PS5?

Conversion, probably not.

One year after Microsoft purchased Bethesda, Spencer said Price of GQ that he believes the Xbox ecosystem is the best place for all of the studio, including Elder VI scrolls. All but one confirmed that it will be for Xbox only.

“It’s not about punishing any platform, as I believe all platforms can continue to grow,” Spencer said. Price of GQ. “But to be on the Xbox, I want to be able to bring everything we have. And that would be true when I think about it Large Scrolls VI. It would be realistic to think about our financial situation. ”

Starfield, Bethesda’s sci-fi RPG designed for the ninth generation, says definitely have Xbox Series X / S and PC only, skip PS5 completely. Spencer’s comments make it clear that the Xbox is looking at the commitment of its franchises, and the current $ 69 billion deal is over, which includes the Activision Blizzard game.

Activision Blizzard is the third-largest publisher of the game, and owns major retailers including Call of Duty, Overwatch, Diablo, World of Warcraft, Hearthstone and Candy Crush. As a third studio, Activision Blizzard has been able to negotiate with its platform owners to get its software on the devices and devices they want. This is not always the same as setting up the same day or game items, but in many cases, this role has helped ensure that the Activision Blizzard game reaches as many players on as many platforms as possible. Separate contracts and distribution divisions are the main source of competition in the market right now, allowing foreign manufacturers to promote their unconventional games that are of interest to console owners.

When the incense burner becomes the largest publisher in gaming, it flips the script completely. It locks the material into a shredder, burns the remains to ashes, dries the ashes to a stone, and then throws them under the Mariana Canal.

Let’s take Call of Duty, a list with specific annual episodes, for example. Over the years, Activision has changed the loyalty of Microsoft and Sony, giving access to and exclusive games on Xbox platforms, then PlayStation, and integrating them along the way. Amidst all the previous discussions, bad blood and good donations, it has always been at Activision to reduce the best costs for Call of Duty, with console penalties.

After the discovery, that conversation looks different, if at all. As the owner of Call of Duty, Microsoft may ask Sony to disassemble it, keeping one of the company’s biggest assets available on Xbox platforms.

This may not happen immediately, but it is possible below. In his blog post As for acquisition, Xbox’s Spencer did not speak to Sony or Nintendo platforms in particular, but did also mention potential support for the Activision Blizzard’s franchise platform.

“The Activision Blizzard game is enjoyed on a variety of platforms and we want to continue to support developing areas,” he said, without elaborating on what he meant by “platforms” or “support.” Remember, this was it you buy around Large Scrolls VI first, too.

Microsoft is not the only company in the middle of a studio-hoarding spree: Sony took over its 13th indoor studio, Housemarque, in June 2021, at Tencent shakes along with the ownership of Riot Games, cashback in a few major studios, and the purchase of LittleBigPlanet 3 manufacturer of Sumo Group in July 2021. Although Vavu has acquired a small number of independent manufacturers in recent years, including a group in the background Fire clock and other members a Kerbal Space Program.

Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard just feels like the final push in a new era of video game companies: integration.

While special commitment may be a temporary concern, this has a long and dangerous tail. It is very likely that there will be more purchases by Microsoft, Sony and other big names in the game, and these businesses and follow-up companies will grow over time. With just a few studios managing the small size of the software, it can create parallels between new themes, killing new ones while every developer tries to adapt to the environment around them, quickly or unconsciously.

Even with the “creative freedom” built into their partnership, the acquired studios will all use the same QA approach, financial plan, business plan, management system management system management system; they will have the same bosses and will be in charge of the same management. And when all new things come as a result of one mind, they should feel better. Difficult, though. Tired.

Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard is an upgrade to a standalone system, representing a new way of doing business. Now with the coming years, the merger is the name of the game.

Maybe one day we’ll come Consolidation 2: Tell It All And Make Everything Indie Again, but that person may have trouble finding a publisher.