Many companies, yes. I will stand by my assessment of Microsoft's limited meddling with recently purchased entities (however arbitrary it may be, lol). I do think they have learned from their previous mistakes, there was a good interview with Phil and Matt Booty I think, on how they realized that Corporate Culture doesn't need to be infused into existing studios.
While these newer acquisitions may not be receiving influence culturally or creatively, they aren't immune to the fiscal decisions of big business. Hence the layoffs affect Bethesda as well.
I would guess this is more related to a company-wide savings mandate. All Microsoft divisions are affected, not just XBOX. Microsoft stock is down something like 25% in the last 12 months. Layoffs across all divisions will save money and improve net revenue, which in turn will help the stock price.
@Daian: I don't think we need to be scared. Remember, 343 was formed by Microsoft to take over Halo after Bungie left the Microsoft umbrella to become independent again.
Recent history shows us that Microsoft doesn't meddle with purchased studios like it used to. This allows those studios to maintain their culture and vision, independent of Microsoft's influence.
Basically, Microsoft buys these developers as future profit centres with already established IP. Where they seem to struggle is spinning up new developers. Case in point, 343, and the Initiative (the jury is still out on this one, but the studio is definitely struggling with many significant departures).
@ynet99: What are you basing Game Pass not being currently realistic on?
Has anybody said what MS is or isn’t making off Game Pass?
I really don't see the argument that Game Pass not being viable long term. Everything in life is going to subscriptions, companies are building their business plans based on RMR (recurring monthly revenue). RMR is so lucrative, you are getting people who bought 1 or 2 games a year subscribing and giving you guaranteed income.
Does Microsoft make less off of the people who buy a ton of games each year? Probably. But I'd wager that they make far more off of the casual gamer that was only buying a couple of games a year, and probably buying them used.
Xbox made over $16 billion last year and Microsoft has confirmed that the division is profitable. Sony is also doing great, passing $25 billion in revenue last year.
Subscriptions are the way of the future unless consumers revolt, which I don't see happening.
I see where you’re coming from but I really think these purchases will push the industry to a place where exclusivity is gone, and that is great for gamers! I could be wrong, but I hope I’m not. 😊
I don’t see this article making Xbox out to be the white knight of gaming. I also don’t see this acquisition as bad (as an Xbox user). The way I see it, if this continues PS and XBOX will continue to move towards software centric business models which would spell the end to platform exclusivity. That is my hope at least! I don’t really care who owns what, this purchase shows that Sony is willing to maintain platform agnostic titles. Something Microsoft has already shown with Minecraft, soon to be COD, etc.
Who knows, maybe in a few years time I’m playing Bloodborne on my Xbox and you’re playing Gears of War on your PS. Wouldn’t that be awesome?
@olddadgamer: This is done for the investors. They have projections for releases and revenues that investors base their decisions on. If a game is being moved to a different quarter, announce to the public or not, they will make an announcement at an investor meeting/conference call.
@hardcoregamer1: I have no doubt that MS planned to launch the 1X with a few exclusive titles. I'm thankful that they have chosen to push the releases of Sea of Thieves and Crackdown. I'm sure they have some other games hiding, waiting for the right time to announce as well, they just didn't happen to hit the launch window of the console unfortunately.
For this reason, i also wont be getting the 1X yet. I'll wait for a few more titles to drop before I make the jump.
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