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[EDMIX]

Personally i think i definitely would. Imo PG is super talented studio, but may lack a bit in funds. What do you think?

....maybe.

I've said this for years now, this studio is too hit or miss, has many flops and seems to take on more contracts then they can actually fulfill. IF they were bought by either Sony or MS, they'd need to calm the fuck down and be limited to a handful of projects at a time to increase their quality.

Its like 5 bad games for every one good game with them lol I like the team, but they have massive faults and in their current state, I'd say no. Both Sony and MS literally might be better off without that team then with them.

I Master l I'm not saying you are wrong, merely that I've heard that stated more times then I've seen that proven. Folks have said that about DICE and the fucking team is like 800 plus people, yet many made the claim that majority left for EmBark and the studio has 200, not 800 plus or some shit. So I find many people state this, yet rarely prove what they are talking about, like they "heard" this or that, but looking at Credits and staff count, I haven't really seen much evidence of that outside of a team literally closing down or something lol So...maybe, maybe not, I'd need receipts lol I remember when people were spreading that fudd that Naught Dog lost 75% of their team lol or Rockstar lol So you can see why I might be a bit skeptical when I read that

 

[Griffon]

Out of the big potential buyers, only Nintendo would be capable of handling them and getting good games out of it.
But I don't think Nintendo is interested.

 

[TheDarkPhantom]

If I were Phil Spencer I'd acquire Jim Ryan, it's Xbox' only hope.

To answer the question though, PG is wildly inconsistent, for every Bayo there is a Babylon's Fall, for every Vanquish an Anarchy Reigns, I've loved a handful of their games but the studio is all over place, couldn't see PlayStation buying them, Nintendo would seem the most likely.

 

[EDMIX]

Out of the big potential buyers, only Nintendo would be capable of handling them and getting good games out of it.
But I don't think Nintendo is interested.

After Star Fox Zero? I don't know about all that now.....

Thats like saying only Square can get the best out of them after Nier Automata and then ignore that Babylon Falls game or something.

So....before anyone starts blaming publishers like making it sound like MS did them dirty with that Dragon Game or Square's fault for Babylon Fall or Nintendo etc, understand they fucked up at almost every publisher bud. So I can't just pretend a hit is based on some different thing going on here or there as those same places they also failed too, so I think its the team itself.

 

[bender]

I've said this for years now, this studio is too hit or miss, has many flops and seems to take on more contracts then they can actually fulfill. IF they were bought by either Sony or MS, they'd need to calm the fuck down and be limited to a handful of projects at a time to increase their quality.

If they are acquired, that's exactly what would happen. They wouldn't need the TMNT and Korra type games to get by. I also think most people overstate their bad games.

2009 MadWorld, Infinite Space, Bayonetta
2010 Vanquish
2012 Anarchy Reigns
2013 Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, The Wonderful 101
2014 Bayonetta 2, The Legned of Korra
2015 Transformers: Devastation, 8-Bit Bayonetta
2016 Star Fox Zero, Star Fox Guard, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan
2017 Nier: Automata
2019 Astral Chain
2020 The Wonderful 101: Remastered
2021 World of Demons
2022 Sol Cresta, Babylon's Fall

Babylon's Fall, Star Fox Zero, Mutants in Manhattan, and The Legend of Korra probably deserve that label. There are a few middling games and a bunch that are well regarded.

 

[Strider Highwind]

Babylon fell mang

 

[EDMIX]

If they are acquired, that's exactly what would happen. They wouldn't need the TMNT and Korra type games to get by. I also think most people overstate their bad games.

2009 MadWorld, Infinite Space, Bayonetta
2010 Vanquish
2012 Anarchy Reigns
2013 Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, The Wonderful 101
2014 Bayonetta 2, The Legned of Korra
2015 Transformers: Devastation, 8-Bit Bayonetta
2016 Star Fox Zero, Star Fox Guard, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan
2017 Nier: Automata
2019 Astral Chain
2020 The Wonderful 101: Remastered
2021 World of Demons
2022 Sol Cresta, Babylon's Fall

Babylon's Fall, Star Fox Zero, Mutants in Manhattan, and The Legend of Korra probably deserve that label. There are a few middling games and a bunch that are well regarded.

True, but thats why I say in order for that deal to ever make sense, they need to lay down some ground rules with how many projects they can take on at once or something. I get they likely wouldn't continue to do those licensed games, but that choice to take on that many projects is made by the team, licensed or not. That needs to be in check before anyone buys this team imho.

 

[TheThreadsThatBindUs]

Yeah sure

I don't think they're a bad studio. Just underfunded and stretched thin on contract work. Same issue with Remedy.

This.

Their best most recent game, Nier: Automata was legit fiyah. So if I was Sony looking to buy Square Enix, I'd also pick up Platinum too and merge the strengths of both.

 

[bender]

True, but thats why I say in order for that deal to ever make sense, they need to lay down some ground rules with how many projects they can take on at once or something. I get they likely wouldn't continue to do those licensed games, but that choice to take on that many projects is made by the team, licensed or not. That needs to be in check before anyone buys this team imho.

Putting that in check would be part of due diligence prior to the acquisition. Focus and financial stability is what they need. I really wouldn't expect any of the big three to purchase them. The problem is what they are good at creating isn't in favor these days. It would make more sense for someone like Tecmo Koei, Square Enix, SEGA or Capcom (lol) to absorb them.

That said, I have no idea what talent they've bleed throughout the years.

 

[Lupin25]

Nah.

As much as I love Nier Automata and Bayonetta, it’s still sucks Platinum hasn’t improved much since (Babylon’s Fall). The quality compared between some of their games is also starkly inconsistent… Idk.

They’re really one of those devs that shock you at times with their output.

Edit: As for either… I think it would be more beneficial to Xbox. Sony has a less harder time filling in the gaps with this genre.

If I were Sony I would purchase Shift Up if Stellar Blade is a great game.

 

[remember_spinal]

i’ve never found them to be an exceptional studio tbh

Outside of Nier i haven’t loved any of their games

 

[Oddvintagechap]

I rather pay 80 per game.

 

[Deleted member 471617]

Going to say no for both. Square Enix would be a better fit and even more so, Nintendo as Platinum Games has never been a visual showcase so Nintendo would be a perfect fit since their tech is always a gen or two behind.

Definitely want Microsoft to stay far far away from Platinum Games. They have a 1 to 1 ratio of good/bad games and I see them as overrated.

My top 3 on who should acquire Platinum Games -

1. Nintendo
2. Square Enix
3. Sega

 

[remember_spinal]

Going to say no for both. Square Enix would be a better fit and even more so, Nintendo as Platinum Games has never been a visual showcase so Nintendo would be a perfect fit since their tech is always a gen or two behind.

Definitely want Microsoft to stay far far away from Platinum Games. They have a 1 to 1 ratio of good/bad games and I see them as overrated.

My top 3 on who should acquire Platinum Games -

1. Nintendo
2. Square Enix
3. Sega

Those are the only choices that make sense since most of their games are owned by those 3 companies.

I dont even think they own any original IP besides sol cresta. I also kind of just think people should leave japan alone. Stop hoping these devs/studios get bought, its boring now, unless its by another japanese publisher/dev

 

[lh032]

no, very risky , but i guess microsoft can throw the money.
Their games are not a guaranteed success

 

[UltimaKilo]

Are they profitable? Will I make back my investment and then some?

 

[Deleted member 471617]

Those are the only choices that make sense since most of their games are owned by those 3 companies.

I dont even think they own any original IP besides sol cresta. I also kind of just think people should leave japan alone. Stop hoping these devs/studios get bought, its boring now, unless its by another japanese publisher/dev

Yeah, PG not owning any actual IP's other than what you listed is another reason I stay away from them. I just don't see any worth or value in them at all for Microsoft or Sony. The three I mentioned though would all fit.

As you already know, im all for acquisitions. It makes things interesting and can change the dynamic of what everything is instead of everything staying the same which in all honesty, gets boring. Also, when studios or publishers get acquired, that opens up a spot for another studio or publisher to fill that void which im all for. Another factor is that keeping money in the bank isn't worth much so making acquisitions is the far better investment for most companies.

Japan wise, outside of Platinum Games, are there really any other independent studios that aren't already owned by a publisher? I'm sure there are but outside of Platinum, I can't think of any but in fairness, I don't pay as much attention to Japan as I do with NA and Europe.

 

[Rickyiez]

Yea so that they can cancel Scalebound the second time

And also PG is never a hit or miss. All of their games were pretty great back then like Bayonetta 1&2, Metal Gear Rising, Wonderful 101, Nier Automata, Tf Devastation, and Madworld.

They only went downhill nowadays because of creative departures

 

[remember_spinal]

Yeah, PG not owning any actual IP's other than what you listed is another reason I stay away from them. I just don't see any worth or value in them at all for Microsoft or Sony. The three I mentioned though would all fit.

As you already know, im all for acquisitions. It makes things interesting and can change the dynamic of what everything is instead of everything staying the same which in all honesty, gets boring. Also, when studios or publishers get acquired, that opens up a spot for another studio or publisher to fill that void which im all for. Another factor is that keeping money in the bank isn't worth much so making acquisitions is the far better investment for most companies.

Japan wise, outside of Platinum Games, are there really any other independent studios that aren't already owned by a publisher? I'm sure there are but outside of Platinum, I can't think of any but in fairness, I don't pay as much attention to Japan as I do with NA and Europe.

If there are there wont be soon with netease and tencent on the prowl

Arc Sys is a publisher but they’re small as hell

 

[plasmawave]

Yes and give them proper budget and dev time.

 

[Deleted member 471617]

If there are there wont be soon with netease and tencent on the prowl

Arc Sys is a publisher but they’re small as hell

That's true. The bigger companies want to get even bigger and expand.

 

[SenjutsuSage]

Absolutely not. By all accounts, it looks like a case of misappropriated funds where scalebound development is concerned. No matter how much talent might be there, what's left of them can't be trusted with Kamiya still a major part of it. I would take the talent that's there and combine them with whatever team Hironobu Sakaguchi has and make Sakaguchi the studio lead. No Kamiya.

 

[BabyYoda]

I haven't liked anything they've made yet and boy have I tried to like their games, so nah!

 

[kyussman]

Ooofff,no chance.They are too hit and miss and isn't that one dev there a bit of a nutcase.I guess most Japanese devs are nutcases but you know what I mean.

 

[PaintTinJr]

Wonderful 101 and Star fox Zero would probably still make my top ten list of most enjoyable games of all time...so if they were at risk of going out of business, by being unable to stay independent with the high risk of being a AA studio, then absolutely.

For Sony they would be the ideal people to build the prototype of any game for any of their AAA studios to fleshout and finish IMO, because gameplay is their bread-and-butter, which so many dull games like LoU, HFW - with their grindy/stale gameplay - could do with a bit of something from Viewtiful Joe (though strictly not PG) W101 or Star fox zero to acknowledged that these are indeed supposed to be games...with a game-play experience.

 

[A2una1]

Yeah, but also... look at what happened with Bayonetta 2, Astral Chain, and Nier Automata.

But Astral Chain is kind of meh...

 

[Shut0wen]

Yes and no they need stability, even though alot of talented people have left over thr years but those that developed nier, bayonetta 2 and that switch game are still there, if one of those companys buys platinum and platinum decide not to make GAAS then im all for it but if they still choose to make those games after being purchased then let platinum die

 

[tusharngf]

Phil be like

 

[JohnnyFootball]

Fuck no. But I'm not a fan of anything from Platinum.

From is the big fish.

 

[Nitty_Grimes]

This dev suits Nintendo.

 

[Nautilus]

It makes more sense for Nintendo to buy Platinum, given that they have much closer relationship.

I don't understand this forum's obsession on leaving Nintendo out of the discussion.

 

[PaintTinJr]

It makes more sense for Nintendo to buy Platinum, given that they have much closer relationship.

I don't understand this forum's obsession on leaving Nintendo out of the discussion.

I agree they've had good games with Nintendo, but I'd prefer them to bring their game style to AAA games with PlayStation (or Xbox assuming they wouldn't mismanage) because going with Nintendo is likely to have them stuck straddling A or AA results by budget and scope, which I think is partly why they've struggled to move beyond the work-for-hire trap.

 

[Nautilus]

I agree they've had good games with Nintendo, but I'd prefer them to bring their game style to AAA games with PlayStation (or Xbox assuming they wouldn't mismanage) because going with Nintendo is likely to have them stuck straddling A or AA results by budget and scope, which I think is partly why they've struggled to move beyond the work-for-hire trap.

Nintendo has been the one who helped keep Platinum above water. If I'm not mistaken, both Sony and MS declined partnerships with Platinum( regarding Bayo 2 especifically).

And Bayo, Metal Gear Rising, and many others launched both on Sony and MS system, and they all sold "badly"(not enough to be funded a sequel). So this narrative that Nintendo is holding them back is nonsense.

I will always look foward for Platinum's AAA output on Switch.They are all great, and I'll be enjoying Bayo 3

 

[PaintTinJr]

Nintendo has been the one who helped keep Platinum above water. If I'm not mistaken, both Sony and MS declined partnerships with Platinum( regarding Bayo 2 especifically).

And Bayo, Metal Gear Rising, and many others launched both on Sony and MS system, and they all sold "badly"(not enough to be funded a sequel). So this narrative that Nintendo is holding them back is nonsense.

I will always look foward for Platinum's AAA output on Switch.They are all great, and I'll be enjoying Bayo 3

I take your point, but if they got the support - like say an Insomniac - their output wouldn't look like A-AA gaming, and I say that as someone that really loves some of those games, but feel they have great room to scale up in production quality that Nintendo will never have the hardware to encourage or prepared to spend the money to make it happen IMO.

 

[Clear]

Platinum's problem is mainly that Team Ninja have kinda eaten their lunch in recent years. I mean that in the sense that they have a good relationship with Sony from the Nioh games and as a result are likely Playstation's goto team for character action games.
Furthermore their best IP, Bayonetta, has never really had any traction on Sony platforms due to the God-awful PS3 port that Sega put out, and their biggest successes being with IP owned by other publishers. e.g. Nier from SE, and Metal Gear from Konami.

As to Xbox... well, after the debacle of Scalebound there has to be a degree of trepidation on both sides about partnering up again, so...

They are in a tough spot, and I don't think its entirely their fault. Team Ninja have been incredibly productive in recent years, so they've left very little space for Platinum to work in.

To be honest if I was them I'd be pitching hard to try and capitalize on the success of Nier Automata, although for obvious reasons that's super reliant on Yoko Taro and the rest of the external creative team to push the product forwards.

 

[Sosokrates]

I would buy all.

 

[Nautilus]

I take your point, but if they got the support - like say an Insomniac - their output wouldn't look like A-AA gaming, and I say that as someone that really loves some of those games, but feel they have great room to scale up in production quality that Nintendo will never have the hardware to encourage or prepared to spend the money to make it happen IMO.

But Platinum's output on Switch is AAA, anyway you slice it.

 

[Griffon]

After Star Fox Zero? I don't know about all that now.....

Thats like saying only Square can get the best out of them after Nier Automata and then ignore that Babylon Falls game or something.

So....before anyone starts blaming publishers like making it sound like MS did them dirty with that Dragon Game or Square's fault for Babylon Fall or Nintendo etc, understand they fucked up at almost every publisher bud. So I can't just pretend a hit is based on some different thing going on here or there as those same places they also failed too, so I think its the team itself.

Fair enough. I somehow deleted Starfox Zero from my memory.

 

[RoadHazard]

But Platinum's output on Switch is AAA, anyway you slice it.

Is it though? I would say maybe more like AA. Or if that's AAA, I guess Sony and Microsoft's biggest games are AAAA. There's a big difference in production values etc.

 

[64bitmodels]

Man, fuck yes. They're easily one of the most talented hack and slash studios ever. They only have bad games cuz they need money to fund their masterpieces like nier and bayonetta. Under a publisher with a massive/infinite wallet like MS or Sony they'd consistently be working at their best.

 

[Nautilus]

Is it though? I would say maybe more like AA. Or if that's AAA, I guess Sony and Microsoft's biggest games are AAAA. There's a big difference in production values etc.

It is, obviously. Always was. Unless we want to rebrand Nintendo games as also being AA.

Graphics alone don't make a game AA or AAA, as the money invested into a game can be spend on several other areas that aren't purely graphical.(Content, Music, scope, depth of combat, etc)

 

[RoadHazard]

It is, obviously. Always was. Unless we want to rebrand Nintendo games as also being AA.

Graphics alone don't make a game AA or AAA, as the money invested into a game can be spend on several other areas that aren't purely graphical.(Content, Music, scope, depth of combat, etc)

Yeah, but I doubt Bayo 3 has even a fifth (maybe tenth) of the budget of something like GOWR.

 

[Trogdor1123]

How much is the question

 

[Nautilus]

Yeah, but I doubt Bayo 3 has even a fifth (maybe tenth) of the budget of something like GOWR.

And therein lies the problem. The best way to gauge that kind of stuff is by looking into how much budget the game had, but companies almost never tell us that.

And besides, the size of the budget, after a certain threshold, almost never determines how much better a game can be. DMC 5 probably costed a lot more to make compared to Bayonetta 2, but Bayo 2 was kilometers away the better title.

 

[RoadHazard]

And therein lies the problem. The best way to gauge that kind of stuff is by looking into how much budget the game had, but companies almost never tell us that.

And besides, the size of the budget, after a certain threshold, almost never determines how much better a game can be. DMC 5 probably costed a lot more to make compared to Bayonetta 2, but Bayo 2 was kilometers away the better title.

But then what does "AAA" even mean?

 

[Nautilus]

But then what does "AAA" even mean?

Exactly. It lost most of its meaning.Same for the word exclusive(in gaming anyway).

In the past, that term was easily applicable, because it was easier to spot with the naked eye the games that had a lot of money(and ambition by extention, as that was the association), because gaming wasn't as popular as it is today, so the barrier of entry, and thus the quantity of money involved and know how, was too great. Nowadays, with the diminishing returns of each gen regarding graphics(Most PS4 games looks almost as good as PS5 games), that metric is becoming meaningless.

I mean, just look at indies. Some devs with 10 or so developers manage to come up with amazing graphics(The first Hellblade), using a tenth of the budget that games like Zelda and Halo has. Was Hellblade AAA, even if by definition it would fall under the AA category?

 

[RoadHazard]

Exactly. It lost most of its meaning.Same for the word exclusive(in gaming anyway).

In the past, that term was easily applicable, because it was easier to spot with the naked eye the games that had a lot of money(and ambition by extention, as that was the association), because gaming wasn't as popular as it is today, so the barrier of entry, and thus the quantity of money involved and know how, was too great. Nowadays, with the diminishing returns of each gen regarding graphics(Most PS4 games looks almost as good as PS5 games), that metric is becoming meaningless.

I mean, just look at indies. Some devs with 10 or so developers manage to come up with amazing graphics(The first Hellblade), using a tenth of the budget that games like Zelda and Halo has. Was Hellblade AAA, even if by definition it would fall under the AA category?

Yeah, but most Switch games (including Bayo 3) look like average PS3 games, which could lead you to believe that it's very low budget... Of course that's due to the incredibly dated hardware, but yeah.

 

[Nautilus]

Yeah, but most Switch games (including Bayo 3) look like average PS3 games, which could lead you to believe that it's very low budget... Of course that's due to the incredibly dated hardware, but yeah.

They don't look like PS3 games lol. Quite the opposite.

But I guess we will agree to disagree on this.

 

[Killer8]

I would say yes. As much as i've railed against Platinum's inconsistent quality, a lot of that is down to explainable factors that an acquisition may well solve. Problems right now are that they spread themselves too thin, they have to stick to tight deadlines, and they've had to do a lot of mobile, shovelware and licensed shit to keep the lights on.

Having a big daddy company giving them time and money to focus on a select couple of games at once, for just a handful of platforms, could introduce some much needed focus to the company.

 

[RoadHazard]

They don't look like PS3 games lol. Quite the opposite.

But I guess we will agree to disagree on this.

Bayo 3 looks worse than a lot of PS3 games, true.