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Its Been A Week: Microsoft Acquiring Activision/Blizzard

Roughly one hundred ninety two hours ago the gaming world awoke to the biggest news story to hit the industry in years. With a tweet from Phil Spencer the industry would forever be changed “As we extend the joy and community of gaming to everyone, we are incredibly excited to welcome the fantastic teams and iconic franchises of Activision Blizzard to Team Xbox”. In what is expected to be close to a seventy billion dollar deal, Microsoft has reached an agreement to acquire Activision Blizzard along with all their combined studios and IPs, including the industry’s annual best selling franchise Call Of Duty. The deal is expected to finalize in 2023, and puts many things into question both for Sony and Microsoft over the coming months.

What could Microsoft do with all these studios and IPs, what is their assumed endgame with this acquisition…There are some highly likely outcomes with this deal and while there was also a statement pertaining to their intentions. To paraphrase the statement, Microsoft wants to keep titles on PlayStation and adhere to deals currently in place for any particular IPs. However as mentioned, there are a few highly likely outcomes.

Microsoft Leverages Deal

Adding this acquisition to the Bethesda deal of recent years, Microsoft is greatly expanding on the value of GamePass. Having all first party titles available on the service is an incredible deal that is currently unmatched. And makes GamePass basically a must have for anyone owning a Microsoft console. But could this be a way to leverage PlayStation to allow some version of GamePass on Sony consoles…That is a commonly assumed plan from many covering the industry. Allow PlayStation gamers the option to purchase titles individually or join GamePass. It would certainly be a massive change in the industry and seems far off for the time being, but something to keep an eye on. More likely in the shortterm seems with Microsoft having the highly successful, digital only, Series S and the long running rumors of a TV based streaming service the additional properties only help sell those GamePass subscriptions to new non PlayStation gamers.

Microsoft Pulls Titles

Could the industry possibly see the end of Call of Duty on PlayStation consoles? Sure. But just seems like an unfathomable possibility. When their Bethesda acquisition was in progress, I personally thought the best move would be to have marquee, known titles remain multi-consoles. Meaning established titles like Elder Scrolls, then taking new IP such as Starfield and making them XBOX exclusives. Guaranteeing the most sales possibility on known commodities and push console sales with intriguing new IP being exclusive. However it seems more likely that either the majority or just all Bethesda titles will be Microsoft console exclusives moving forward. So there is clearly the chance this occurs with the newly acquired IP, once any contractual obligations are fulfilled. Pulling all owned IP from PlayStation would presumably add to an increase in XBOX console sales, but would this be the best move? Selling games and/or GamePass is likely more profitable than consoles for Microsoft.

Microsoft Combo

Combine the two above concepts, pull the release of all your newly acquired IP when possible and allow them only through GamePass on PlayStation. But with such a bold, aggressive move would PlayStation play ball. And would such a potential damaging move to your main rival be good in the long-term. Both companies seem to genuinely value each other and the competitive nature they bring out in each other.

Sony Service Counter

There is already strong rumors relating to Sony reupping either a redesigned/rebranded PS Now or just a whole new service to more closely rival GamePass. So this won’t necessarily be a direct reaction to this acquisition, if handled right and effectively can help steal that spotlight back. Imagine a service that allows the user to have access to all previous generation first party PlayStation titles, four generations of titles. Or if Sony adds current gen first party titles to a subscription service, doubt they would do day and date like Microsoft has, but what if all first party come to the service six or twelve months into release. Their first party titles are currently the industry standard for quality and single player narrative, and any inclusion into their service would be a huge plus.

Sony PC Love

Simply release all first party studios day and date on PC along with PlayStation (PS4/PS5). Not a huge deal, but there has been some good traction with the first party PC releases, with God of War most recently being their highest/fastest selling release. Ramp up releasing/porting all major first party titles over on PC and then moving forward day and date releases of all major first party games. While this doesn’t directly deal with the issue at hand, it increases sales of their titles and hopefully generates new users on another platform that is already more aligned with Microsoft titles.

Sony Acquisition Counter

Obviously this is just complete speculation, but fight fire with fire, buy up a studio or studios of your own! Personally I am pulling for them to go bold and somehow buy up THQ Nordic, almost entirely for the chance that we get a new TimeSplitters game…I think they still own that IP. But more realistically as detailed in my previous post, Sony is far more limited in terms of financials. This likely puts anything remotely on the scale of a seventy billion dollar acquisition far out of reach.

Its Been A Week…And A Day

Again, there currently is no certainty on what the future holds with this acquisition. It truly is a massive, bold move by Microsoft and while it could mean some serious negative ramifications for the industry depending on the direction they end up going after it is finalized. Recent years have shown more cooperation between these industry giants and hopefully this trend will maintain. Personally I will be cautiously optimistic and eagerly await more news in the coming months.

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PlayStation: Destination Unknown

By Zach Thomas

After E3 2021 had come and gone, something sure seemed to be missing…

We had Microsoft, Nintendo, Capcom, Ubisoft, and many, many other companies showing off what they have been working on, what’s to come, but still seems like something was off. Sure it was again a virtual/online version of events, but we have all likely grown accustomed to online events and showcases.

Despite having a State of Play in June showing off Horizon: Forbidden West, it feels like there is a large void in gaming at the moment. And as mentioned in our recap of the XBOX & Bethesda Game Studios Showcase, there seems to be a large shift incoming in the power struggle of console gaming. We are seeing Microsoft make bold moves, smart strategic changes, and really focus on the gamer in what is almost a complete swap from last generation.

Currently on deck for PlayStation we have Horizon: Forbidden West coming possibly the end of this year, God of War: Ragnorak coming hopefully early 2022, a Gran Turismo is in the works as well, along with new IP from Bend Studios and just announced unknown title from Deviation Games. Before the last State of Play word broke that there are twenty-three titles in development from the various owned and partnered studios from PlayStation. And shortly after E3 2021, Sony announced that they had acquired Housemarque as well. However through the recent months and years there has been a decrease in studios for PlayStation, and what seems to be a shift in focus by the company. We are seeing multiple IPs being utilized in various other forms of entertainment, an Uncharted film starring Spiderman himself Tom Holland has wrapped and slated to come out early 2022. Then over at HBO there is a series being developed in the world of The Last of Us, with Neil Druckmann heavily involved in the inner workings of the show. Additionally there were strong rumors suggesting a Twisted Metal show and Ghost of Tsushima Movie are both in development breaking earlier this year.

What changed since last generation where we almost knew most of the slate of games multiple years out, whereas now we have more info on PlayStation in other media forms aside from gaming. Or from even earlier generations where PlayStation not only heralded as the highest quality of first party titles, but also boasted the biggest range of genres. Just look at the variety that graced the PS3 generation:

Arcade Racer: Motorstorm

Play/Create/Share: Little Big Planet and Modnation Racers

Simulation Racer: Gran Turismo

First Person Shooters: Killzone and Resistance

Third Person Adventure: Uncharted and Heavenly Sword

Third Person Action: InFamous and The Last of Us

Party Games: Buzz! and Singstar

Tactical Shooters: SOCOM and MAG

Family Games: Jak & Daxter, Sly Cooper, and Rachet & Clank

Unique “Artistic” Games: Beyond, Heavy Rain, and Journey (Thatgamecompany titles)

(Top Left to Right: Modnation Racers, Uncharted, SOCOM, LittleBigPlanet. Bottom Left to Right: Resistance, BUZZ!, Motorstorm, Journey)

And while we are early on in the PS5 generation it would certainly be a shock to those paying attention to hear that PlayStation is dusting off Buzz! for another round. Or returning to make a Free To Play Modnation Racers game with loads of potential DLC and content packs with the vast abundance of PlayStation properties. Or another long running hope of mine a new Jet Moto (PS1 jet ski racing gem for you youngsters). Or possibly even have Deviation bring SOCOM back to life again in either a Free To Play style or priced release. However none of these seem likely to fit into the current roadmap for PlayStation. And while these ideas aren’t bad in my humble opinion, they certainly aren’t the sure fire hits like putting out sequels to Spiderman or Ghost of Tsushima would be and that seems to be where PlayStation is right now. Albeit predictable, but it is also safe and when your main rival in Microsoft is being as bold as they have and have the financial viability to go even further if need be, where does that leave PlayStation.

Will gamers, some of whom are in the fifth console lifecycle be ok with this vast shift away from diversity and the push for strictly marquee or AAA titles. Will the consumers be ok to just wait around and see if these new entertainment options produce the hopeful revenue streams for the company overall to return to some boldness of their own. Or perhaps PlayStation will just announce the remainder or majority of the remaining twenty-three titles in development and that will be enough to reassure many of their gaming faithful. Only time will tell and in time I’ll lay out some things that I would love to see PlayStation do in the coming months to realign themselves more with what we’ve been collectively used to from the predominant industry leader.

Would love to hear some of your ideas on that state of PlayStation, games in general, and what you would love to see from any of the major players in the industry. Comment here and please follow @GameWrote on Twitter and Instagram to interact more with me.

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XBOX and Bethesda Games Showcase

By Zach Thomas

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!!!

Today, Microsoft showed off what is to come from their various studios including the recently acquired in an official sense, Bethesda Game Studios during their XBOX & Bethesda Games Showcase. Both Microsoft and Sony are still vying for the advantage as we move forward during the first year of the new console generation. Console sales are going great for both companies with hardware selling out within minutes of becoming available online from any retailer, in any version of the hardware. XBOX Series X or Series S consoles are still an elusive buy for many eager gamers around the world. And while Sony has not had many true PlayStation 5 exclusives just yet aside from the just released Rachet & Clank: Rift Apart, they have delivered a decent amount of PlayStation exclusives cross generationally, such as Spiderman: Miles Morales. Microsoft however have really yet to release much in the way of next gen or cross generational exclusives to their consoles. With what should seem to be a distinct disadvantage however, there seems to be a shift in the gaming power struggle, one that has even started to get a PlayStation diehard since since their original console considering picking up my first XBOX console.

There are three key factors that Microsoft seem to be have going in their favor and could potentially lead to the upper hand early in this generation. Continue to play on their online and now even more so streaming advantages. Strengthening and promoting Gamepass even further. And when it comes down to it the biggest factor in most console generations, exclusives, what can your console give the gamer that no one else can. Let us dive deeper into these three factors and see just how strong of a position Microsoft is starting to find themselves in.

Streaming

Both Microsoft and Sony brought digital versions of their newest consoles to market last fall, but Microsoft did so at a far more competitive rate and seem to have intentions of pushing this even further moving forward. The XBOX Series S gets you into the new gen for only $299.99 and while it lacks some qualities of the XBOX Series X, it gets the basics of the job done at a great price. And while they did not cover this during the showcase today, working towards the realm of console free next gen streaming as a possibility from one of the two major brands is a huge win if they can pull it off effectively.

Gamepass

There have been no shortage of bold moves when it comes to Gamepass for Microsoft. Pushing out many first party titles day and date on Gamepass to getting a deal to release former PlayStation exclusive MLB The Show not only on to XBOX consoles, but including it with Gamepass. Microsoft certainly seems to know the advantage in not only maintaining the advantage their players get when they buy into Gamepass, but continually trying to expand on the value of the offering. And today twenty-seven of the thirty games shown off during the showcase today will release day one with Gamepass.

Exclusives

When push comes to shove, we all know what makes a generation and/or what generally wins a console war, exclusives. And while Nintendo has some amazing strengths with all their first party characters and titles, they are not really considered on the same battlefield as Microsoft and Sony. And to be honest over the past few generations, Sony has truly been on a level unto themselves when it comes to quality exclusive games. However in recent years Microsoft has been aggressive in adding quality studios to their lineup and ultimately with their financial advantage over Sony this is how Microsoft can most greatly impact the next gen console war. With the official announcements today bookending their showcase that Starfield and newly announced Redfall will be XBOX console exclusives, Microsoft delivers a massive blow to Sony for this generation.

Microsoft has a bevy of titles now at their disposal from their twenty-three studios for either cross platform to generate revenue like they do with Minecraft and presumably will do with established titles like DOOM, Elders Scroll, Fallout, etc or to release as a console exclusive to boost hardware/platform sales like they are with their two new IP shown off today Starfield and Redfall along with lesser known titles like Outer Worlds 2.

Recap

In his closing monologue, Head of XBOX Phil Spencer said it best, “You, the gamer, are at the center of everything we do”. Microsoft has learned a great deal from the previous generations and seem as well placed as they ever have been to compete on a high level. While PlayStation continues to revamp what they are doing and representing, XBOX is making it clear, they are games first and games focused, this generation dropped all the extra gimmicks, positioning the Series X/S perfectly. And there are always more studios to purchase or deals to make, which only stand to strengthen this positioning. Sony most assuredly have plans in place that we are not fully aware of, studios working on titles we can assume such as Insomniac with a true Spiderman sequel, along with ones we have no idea about such as whatever the new IP Bend is working on. PlayStation for the first time in years seem to be in need of some reassurance to their faithful, can they compete with for the first time a games focused Microsoft.

What are your thoughts on what you have seen during this virtual E3 this year? What you hope to see still announced and what are you looking forward to playing in the coming months. Comment here and please follow @GameWrote on Twitter and Instagram to interact more with me.

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Wishlist: PlayStation 5 Reveal

Sony Interactive Entertainment is set to reveal the PlayStation 5 this coming Thursday, June 11th 2020 at 1:00pm PDT (https://blog.playstation.com/2020/06/08/updated-time-this-thursday-see-the-future-of-gaming-on-ps5/). With this reveal event just one day away, there is no better time than now to put together a wishlist for it. What features do we hope to see in the PS5, what games are we expecting to be revealed as well, are there new or updated services expected, etc.

Features

Backwards Compatibility

Standards have been set already by Microsoft with their backwards compatibility both with the current and upcoming generations. While Sony has been strongly in the lead during this generation in terms of units moved and not needed to worry about this feature much, going into the next generation though this needs to be addressed.

“Forward Compatibility”

Again Microsoft has set the standard expectation for what this new generation should be, buy Madden 2021 on your XBOX One, get it on your XBOX Series X. Sony would certainly be wise to have the same plan in place as much as possible. Partner with third party developers and publishers and help lower the risk for players.

Reasonable Pricing

The PlayStation 3 was hopefully a lesson learned by Sony, $599 while not unreasonable, was a price-tag too high for many initially and optically was a rough start to that generation. Seemingly that lesson was learned and applied with the PlayStation 4 having released at the $399 price point. It would be perfectly reasonable for the PlayStation 5 to have an increased launch price, hopefully it can come in at $449 or less, but I feel as long as it stays under $500 it should be received in a positive way.

Console Exclusivity

We have certainly seen that exclusivity is on the decline, but making a splash here would be big. The most obvious one is who will get the Call Of Duty timed exclusivity for the coming console cycle. Microsoft had it for the 360 vs. PS3 era, Sony had it for the PS4 vs. XBOX One era.

Games

Horizon Zero Dawn sequel

This seems to be one of the most likely launch date/window for the PS5 in terms of first party games, or possible a Spiderman sequel. With the the original title having released back in February of 2017 this would seem like the first party title that has had the most time to be in the works.

Return of SOCOM

Not feeling very confident in this one, but would love to see Sony bring this beloved series back. The online squad based shooter genre is a whole lot stronger and more popular than ever, I believe the series would be welcomed back in a big way.

Spiderman sequel

Much like with Horizon Zero Dawn, Spiderman seems like the most sure fire series to get a followup title. Now there has been much less time in between release and now, with Spiderman coming out in September of 2018, but one would assume that this game is coming.

Third Party Titles

What third party titles will pop up during the reveal event? Madden NFL 2021, NBA 2K, seem like they would pop up in a sizzle reel, Call Of Duty seems likely, hopefully there will be plenty more and maybe even a new game reveal or two. And with Assassin’s Creed has already appeared as a feature with the Microsoft events, this might keep it from appearing here

Services

PlayStation Plus

Doubtful there will be much info in regards to PlayStation Plus during this reveal event, but eventually it would be great to know/hear the updates to this service. Considering the service used to deliver up to six titles a month ( two per console) down to now just two titles a month. What will be done

PlayStation Network

With the price increase and feature decline over this past generation with PlayStation Plus, what has Sony done to invest into increasing the quality or improve standards moving into the next generation of the PlayStation Network. After finally working out a solution to PSNid name change ordeal, it would be great to have Sony continue to address issues/concerns with the PSN.

PlayStation NOW

While PlayStation NOW already is a pretty good deal with access to over 800 titles for $9.99/month it seems that the general consensus is that it’s not a great deal especially in contrast to XBOX Game Pass. Can PlayStation pitch this service as the value it already is, and furthermore can they add enough value to it where it will be see as an equal or rival to Game Pass. Perhaps access to not only more games, but giving users access to much newer titles on a regular cadence.

Tune in tomorrow to see what is revealed, and feel free to comment your hopes of it and afterwards your reactions.