IcyRhythms
Member
If Microsoft bought/hired the PUBG team along with their game, that would be huge for them.
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Obsidian: Microsoft looking to extern-publish [mid-to-large size] independent studios
- Thread starter Nirolak
- Start date
Make a thread talking about Microsoft not investing in games...what are they doing.
Make a thread talking about Microsoft investing in games...what are they doing.
SomedayTheFire
Member
They won't be buying them lol. Bluehole turned down Tencent, there's no chance Microsoft will get them.
MilkyJoe
Member
Sounds about right.
I would rather Microsoft just hire these studios while they remain independent. That sort of arrangement allows the studios to pick and choose what they do easier. Contracts and all.
IcyRhythms
Member
Never say never.
I'm sure Minecraft received endless offers until MS came along and put up some real money.
Either way, MS needs new talent and more AA and AAA games in development.
It's a difference in that maybe one of the new studios they hire on might make something that sells.
MS is crazy if they don't secure console exclusivity for PUBG.
Eolz
Member
So something between 75 and 250 devs-sized studios?
Seems reasonable enough
Didn't think about IO, forgot that they were indie again. But yeah, good list. Wouldn't be surprised to see them try to hire a japanese dev again too, despite the obvious issues.
Seems reasonable enough
Didn't think about IO, forgot that they were indie again. But yeah, good list. Wouldn't be surprised to see them try to hire a japanese dev again too, despite the obvious issues.
Tencent is bigger than MS, it's not happening.
SomedayTheFire
Member
I don't think you understand just how much money Tencent have and how much they invest.
IcyRhythms
Member
Maybe Bluehole doesn't feel that's a good fit for them. They know they could get an equal amount(possibly more)elsewhere and feel there is a better company for them. For many companies, it's not the money that's the problem.
This is pretty much what every gamer wants to hear and there are a lot of talented independent studios out there.
I did not buy the Xbox One so far because I still hold a grudge for their initial vision for it, even after all these years.
And after the output of first/second party games seemed to focus too much on their big brands, it got quite easy to stick to the plan even though the Xbox can be found quite cheap here in Germany.
If they are bolstering their first party studios enough, their next console might get my money again.
I did not buy the Xbox One so far because I still hold a grudge for their initial vision for it, even after all these years.
And after the output of first/second party games seemed to focus too much on their big brands, it got quite easy to stick to the plan even though the Xbox can be found quite cheap here in Germany.
If they are bolstering their first party studios enough, their next console might get my money again.
lmao
SomedayTheFire
Member
Jesus. Tencent and Bluehole line up perfectly.
Do you know who Tencent and Bluehole are?
TharpDaddy
Member
I feel like buying Bluehole isn't really something they're considering. It seems like Playerunknown is the most valuable part of PUBG, not Bluehole themselves (though they obviously deserve credit as well). So buying Bluehole would only be good for as long as they can keep Playerunknown on board -- unless they would just turn it into a PUBG factory for the indefinite future.
Both. A game like super luckys tale would be an independent studio pitching the game to MS etc and something like Crackdown 3 or halo wars 2 would've been MS hiring studios to make a specific game
D
Deleted member 471617
Unconfirmed Member
They should purchase Playground Games as that would make the most sense. Hoping that Ninja Theory, Obsidian, Avalanche and IO Interactive stay independent though. Wouldn't mind any of them signing a contract for an exclusive game but don't want to see them be bought out. Above all other independent studios, I hope Microsoft stays away from my beloved Housemarque.
Bits N Pieces
Member
To get paid and be able to keep the lights on?
TharpDaddy
Member
Not sure how Remedy and Insomniac are examples. Those games came out, but I don't see how it's Microsoft's fault they weren't massive hits. Why would an indie look at those and decide not to work with Microsoft? Those studios made the games and got paid, but just didn't sell all that well. Platinum is the only one of those 3 that I feel like Microsoft screwed the pooch on.
Because it's either sign or risk going out of business because you don't have projects.
I don't think Microsoft proper would even approve handing Microsoft Games Studios a check big enough to buy that gold mine.
Naudyboy16
Member
This is interesting news, hopefully some cool games come out if it.
I love the horizon series, but I miss PGR!!!!!! And while I'm wishful thinking, they should add a sequel to Lost Odyessy or Blue Dragon and Ninja Gaiden.
I love the horizon series, but I miss PGR!!!!!! And while I'm wishful thinking, they should add a sequel to Lost Odyessy or Blue Dragon and Ninja Gaiden.
More likely a new IP from IO that Microsoft ownsSo, Hitman exclusive to XB confirmed ?
Good for MS, bad for me.
Saint of Killers
Member
I'm going with Alpha Protocol re-imagined into a new IP.
edit: as for this news: I'll believe it when I see it. And by 'it' I mean a game being released.
Let IO take a crack at Perfect Dark, pls
yeah i'm not getting most of the reactions here.
yeah i'm not getting most of the reactions here.
NoMoreTrolls
Banned
Bring on the games!
Shpeshal Nick
aka Collingwood
I told you they'd be cutting back on first party and sticking to outsourcing to third parties.
More like more Ryse and Sunset Overdrive style games coming after the criticism of Scalebound cancellation and few to no first party IP including Crackdown 3 delay again.
They're realizing no matter what they can't even pretend to be Nintendo and they are failing hard st even trying to match Sony. All they've done is not be able to give us many first party IP, while losing games like street fighter altogether and losing exclusivity and marketing for almost every major game including Call of Duty.
So since they can do indie or small okay ie. Get an Ori or Cuphead, they need an Insomniac sized studio to publish titles again. Still a shame no follow ups to Ryse by Crytek or Sunset Overdrive by Insomniac.
Not a ton. Most were left to die last gen, and the ones who survived often transformed into studios that can no longer make retail games.
Steverulez
Member
MS have always used third parties and independent studios, not sure what you're telling me here that wasnt known?
Shpeshal Nick
aka Collingwood
I was telling you they won't be investing in traditional first party anymore, no matter how much we want them to. There'll be no new internal studios upside the big 4 they have now.
Steverulez
Member
Dont think i've ever disagreed with this. They dont seem to want more new studios, even if they should get them
The primarily issue with opening new studios is you have to actually staff them, which is incredibly difficult these days if you want high end games.
Ubisoft gets around this by opening new studios and keeping them on support duty for 5-10+ years until they build up veterancy, but even then, the games they eventually make often don't pan out.
Steverulez
Member
I would personally acquire some studios, however I understand why that is undesirable from an average gamer perspective and MS are fairly likely to run them into the ground unfortunately.
NoMoreTrolls
Banned
Also many studios just don't want to be acquired. I'd also wager that many are wary of MS in particular given their recent dealings with internal and external studios.
firehawk12
Subete no aware
What game did Obsidian make for Microsoft?
Cool. Besides Rare and Sea of Thieves, Microsoft's most interesting games are coming from independent studio partnerships. Independent devs seem to have great ideas, and if partnering with Microsoft allows them to put out better games than they would have otherwise then that is awesome.
180s everywhere.
You'd have to imagine some studios are going to be very cautious about getting involved with MS given their recent history of treating devs like shit and cancelling games out from under them... but money talks I guess.
That sure worked out well for Darkside.
Generally I feel the most successful acquisitions are when a publishers buys a studio that fits with a business they want to be in for at least the next 10 years.
Like EA decided they wanted sports games to be a core part of their identity going forward, so buying Tiburon and the studio that became EA Canada both worked out very well.
When they bought Facebook game studios like Playfish, that worked out much worse, as the market wasn't stable.
If Microsoft settles on what they want to be, at least for the next 10 years, I think they can start considering acquisitions around that.
Would that be GAAS? Or genres to be more specific?
that doesnt mean they should stop trying this model altogether
Maybe what they need is to restructure their approach on these kinds of deals, and that its likely whats happening right now
LOL
You serious? Getting paid to develop a game, its simple.
Better not work with big evil Microsoft! They cancel games!
If that ever happens I love to see a freedom Fightersesqe game with 10 player co -op.
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