Contents
- Microsoft’s history of acquiring game studios
- The game studios Microsoft has acquired in the past
- The most recent game studio acquisition by Microsoft
- Why Microsoft acquires game studios
- How Microsoft’s acquisitions have changed the gaming industry
- The impact of Microsoft’s acquisitions on the gaming community
- The future of Microsoft’s game studio acquisitions
- The game studios Microsoft should acquire
- The game studios Microsoft should not acquire
- The pros and cons of Microsoft acquiring game studios
In this blog post, we take a look at all of the game studios that Microsoft has acquired over the years.
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Microsoft’s history of acquiring game studios
Microsoft has been in the business of acquiring game studios for many years now, and the list of studios that are now under its umbrella is quite impressive. Here are just a few of the most notable studios that Microsoft has acquired over the years:
Bungie: Best known for creating the Halo franchise, Bungie was founded in 1991 and released its first game, Pathways into Darkness, in 1993. It was acquired by Microsoft in 2000.
Rare: Rare is a British game development studio that was founded in 1985. It is best known for creating hit franchises like Banjo-Kazooie and GoldenEye 007. Microsoft acquired Rare in 2002.
Obsidian Entertainment: Obsidian Entertainment is an American game development studio that was founded in 2003. It is best known for its work on role-playing games like Pillars of Eternity and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II. Microsoft acquired Obsidian Entertainment in 2018.
InXile Entertainment: InXile Entertainment is an American game development studio that was founded in 2002. It is best known for its work on role-playing games like The Bard’s Tale and Wasteland 2. Microsoft acquired InXile Entertainment in 2018.
The game studios Microsoft has acquired in the past
In the past, Microsoft has acquired a number of game studios, including some well-known names. Here are some of the most notable studios that Microsoft has bought:
-Bungie (creators of Halo)
-Rare (developers of Donkey Kong Country and GoldenEye 007)
-Lionhead Studios (makers of Fable)
-mojang (developers of Minecraft)
The most recent game studio acquisition by Microsoft
The most recent game studio acquisition by Microsoft is InXile Entertainment, which was announced in November of 2018. InXile is best known for its work on role-playing games such as The Bard’s Tale and Wasteland 2. Microsoft has also acquired several other game studios in the past, including Mojang (the studio behind Minecraft), Obsidian Entertainment (known for its work on role-playing games like Pillars of Eternity), and Playground Games (the studio behind the Forza Horizon racing franchise).
Why Microsoft acquires game studios
In the last few years, Microsoft has made some big changes to the way it develops and publishes video games. The most significant change has been the acquisition of several prominent game studios.
The reason for these acquisitions is simple: Microsoft wants to make sure it has a steady supply of high-quality exclusive games for its Xbox consoles.
Exclusive games are an important part of any console’s lineup because they give gamers a reason to choose that console over its competitors. For example, if you’re a fan of the Halo series, then you’re more likely to buy an Xbox One than a PlayStation 4 because Halo is only available on Xbox.
Microsoft’s recent acquisitions have given it a handful of popular game franchises, including Halo, Gears of War, Forza Motorsport, and Minecraft. The company is also now home to some of the most talented developers in the industry, including Ninja Theory (makers of Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice), Playground Games (Forza Horizon), and Obsidian Entertainment (Fallout: New Vegas).
With such a strong lineup of studios and franchises, Microsoft is in a great position to compete against Sony and Nintendo in the console market.
How Microsoft’s acquisitions have changed the gaming industry
Microsoft has been on a bit of a shopping spree lately when it comes to game studios. The company has bought several high-profile studios in the last few years, including Ninja Theory, Obsidian Entertainment, and inXile Entertainment. Microsoft now has a total of 15 first-party studios, and the company shows no signs of slowing down.
These acquisitions have had a profound impact on the gaming industry. Microsoft now has a much stronger first-party lineup, which is essential for any gaming platform holder. The company also now has some of the best RPGs in its stable with Obsidian and inXile.
Microsoft’s acquisitions have also had an indirect impact on the industry. For example, many third-party developers are now exclusive to Xbox because of Microsoft’s aggressive studio buying spree. This is likely to continue in the future as Microsoft continues to snap up studios left and right.
The impact of Microsoft’s acquisitions on the gaming community
Microsoft has been on a buying spree lately, and the gaming community has taken notice. The company has snapped up some well-known studios, including Obsidian Entertainment and inXile Entertainment. Microsoft no longer seems content to let other companies have all the fun when it comes to making games.
Some people are excited about the potential for Microsoft to create some truly great games. The company has the resources to invest in big projects and the talent to make them happen. Microsoft also has a history of supporting its studios and giving them the freedom to create whatever they want.
Others are worried that Microsoft’s acquisitions will lead to a lot of homogeny in the gaming industry. The company has a reputation for being conservative and risk-averse, so there’s a fear that it will try to make all its studios conform to its own vision. There’s also concern that Microsoft will start shutting down studios that aren’t performing well, regardless of the quality of their games.
Microsoft’s acquisitions are sure to have a major impact on the gaming community, but it’s impossible to say exactly what that impact will be. Only time will tell whether these studio buys are good or bad for gamers.
The future of Microsoft’s game studio acquisitions
In the past few years, Microsoft has been on a spending spree, acquiring a number of game studios in an effort to bolster its first-party output. Here’s a look at all the studios Microsoft has bought in recent years, and what they might be working on.
The Coalition
Microsoft’s most recent studio acquisition is The Coalition, the developer behind the Gears of War franchise. The studio is currently working on Gears 5, which is due to release later this year.
Ninja Theory
Microsoft also owns Ninja Theory, the developer behind games like Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice and DmC: Devil May Cry. The studio is currently working on an unannounced title.
Playground Games
Another one of Microsoft’s studios is Playground Games, the developer behind the Forza Horizon franchise. The studio is currently working on an unannounced title.
Compulsion Games
Microsoft also owns Compulsion Games, the developer behind We Happy Few. The studio is currently working on an unannounced title.
The game studios Microsoft should acquire
Since acquiring Mojang in 2014, Microsoft has been on something of a buying spree when it comes to game studios. The company has scooped up a number of smaller studios in recent years, and it looks like that trend is set to continue.
So, which game studios does Microsoft currently own? And which ones should it be looking to acquire in the future?
Microsoft currently owns the following game studios:
-Mojang (Minecraft)
-Function Studios ( Gears of War, Halo 5: Guardians)
-Turn 10 Studios (Forza Horizon)
-342 Studios (Halo Wars 2)
-Compulsion Games (We Happy Few)
– InXile Entertainment (The Bard’s Tale, Wasteland 3)
-Ninja Theory (Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, DmC: Devil May Cry)
-Playground Games (Forza Horizon)
-Rare Ltd (Sea of Thieves, Killer Instinct)
– The Coalition (Gears of War)
Microsoft should look to acquire the following studios:
-Bungie (Destiny, Halo) -Epic Games (Fortnite, Gears of War) -Insomniac Games (Spider-Man, Ratchet & Clank)
The game studios Microsoft should not acquire
Microsoft has been on an acquisition spree in recent years, snapping up a number of game studios to bolstering its first-party lineup. While the software giant has made some great acquisitions, there are a few studios that it should steer clear of.
The game studios Microsoft should not acquire:
-Infinity Ward: The studio behind the Call of Duty franchise is one of the most successful in the industry, and it would be aexpensive acquisition for Microsoft.
-Rockstar Games: The studio behind Grand Theft Auto is one of the most valuable in the gaming industry, and it would be a major coup for Microsoft if it could acquire the company.
– Bethesda: The studio behind The Elder Scrolls and Fallout franchises is one of the most respected in the industry, and it would be a major get for Microsoft.
The pros and cons of Microsoft acquiring game studios
Microsoft has been on something of a buying spree when it comes to game studios, snapping up several big names in the industry in recent years. This has led to some speculation about the company’s motives, with some believing that Microsoft is simply trying to catch up to its rivals in the gaming space. There are pros and cons to this strategy, and it’s worth considering both before making a judgment.
On the plus side, Microsoft acquiring game studios gives the company instant access to popular franchises and talent. It also allows Microsoft to expand its portfolio of exclusive titles, which is something that can be very attractive to gamers. On the downside, however, this strategy can be very expensive, and it’s not always clear that it will pay off in the long run. Furthermore, it can be difficult for newly acquired studios to maintain their creative independence within the confines of a much larger company.
Only time will tell whether Microsoft’s acquisition spree will ultimately pay off, but it’s certainly an interesting strategy to keep an eye on.