@stickemup: The point is that Sony does not need Bethesda since Sony has shown that they can make high quality first party titles. Microsoft has shown the opposite. Therefore if Sony have bought Bethesda, it would have been a "dick move".
Good luck with your hope that Sony buys Square Enix. Don't forget that Sony does not have the deep pockets that Microsoft does. Its most likely that Microsoft would buy Square Enix, especially since they've had a difficult time penetrating the Japanese market.
Where is all the outrage? When Microsoft buys a game studio, everyone is up in arms and complaining. All you hear is anger and disgust. Yet when Sony buys a studio, all you hear is "Excellent move" "I'm glad they did this".
Why the difference? If any company should buy studios it should be Microsoft since they have shown that they aren't that good at developing games internally.
@sebb: One thing you forgot to mention is that not only does the Xbox Series X|S have almost full backwards capabilities, it upscales older games with higher frame rates and graphics. Games look much better than they did on the original xbox and xbox 360. I have not seen any noticeable differences in playing PS4 games on PS5.
I'm happy to finally be able to expand the SSD storage on my PS5 but Sony dropped the ball on this. I don't want to have to deal with taking my console apart and worrying about heat sinks. Microsoft got it right with the Series X|S. An easy to install storage expansion card is the way to go.
@Atzenkiller: See my post below. The biggest thing Microsoft cares about is getting you in the door. Then they can offer you, other more lucrative products.
@jhcho2: Yes, I am very well versed in what profit is and of publicly traded companies, that is actually my profession.
I see what you are saying but comparing Microsoft to EA, Activision and Disney is not a good comparison. Companies like EA and Activision have to ensure that every division is profitable. Super large companies like Microsoft and Apple do not. Many of their divisions are for brand and customer loyalty. Take Apple for example. Did you know they lose hundreds-billions on Apple Music? Yet they still continue to invest in it. It is a loyalty thing. If you fall in love with Apple Music, you are very much likely to buy a new pair of Airpods, a HomePod, and even a new iPhone, the real profit puppies. If you create a Microsoft account for your Xbox, you are probably likely to use that same Office account to purchase an Office 365 subscription. Or new Windows software. Lets not even discuss the money they can make off advertising in your free outlook email account.
Therefore, even if its true that the Xbox division does lose money, does it really matter to Microsoft? They just want you in the door...
@jhcho2: Red for the entire current generation, how do you figure? Especially if the Xbox division is currently profitable. Once they can actually get some hit games from Bethesda, that will improve Xbox console sales and game pass sales.
Even if Xbox did start operating in the red, you really think Microsoft cares? For all we know, they use Xbox as an advertising tool and a loss leader for other Microsoft services. Either way, they win.....
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