Xbox buying Activision is Good, Bad, and Ugly

Microsoft and Xbox announced they're acquiring publisher Activision Blizzard for $68 billion.
What does this mean for Overwatch, Call of Duty, and more? Let's talk.

#Activision #Xbox #Microsoft

[jaspreetmaan]

Microsoft: how much for cod on gamepass
Activision: not for sale
Microsoft: how much for the company.

[alexsabre]

As someone that plays on both consoles, is neutral, I had very little interest in the current Activision/Blizzard lineup.
However.. it's the dormant or hardly used IPs in this acquisition that could be very interesting. It's the Crash Bandicoots, the Spyros, the Tony Hawks, the Hexens, etc.. I think Xbox will free those studios that were in Call of Duty jail, and they can go be creative, and make the games they want again. That's exciting!

[nicholasd]

Best part about this is that with all the old CODs coming to game pass, the actual good ones might be active again! MW2 with FPS boost!?!?

[maineman]

Sony needs to bring back Jak and Daxter. Also so many other IP's that they let die.

[TheShadow]

I think the fact that all of gaming is ending up in a few companies hands is a bad sign. The problem with massive companies like Microsoft, Tencent, Sony (to a lesser extent) is that they're less willing to take risks as they don't need to. I think it was a much much better situation when game studios were largely independent from console manufacturers. They make a game that they believe in and then if the consoles like it they do a deal. The worry now is that more risky projects will get cancelled at the draft stage as they'll end up on charts infront of senior Microsoft people with 50 other games comparing the results of a focus group..etc. We may miss out on a lot of cool ideas that never get greenlit because rather than having to persuade the 10 people in their small studio they have to 'sell' it to the joint-senior-vice-president of gaming decisions at Microsoft who's also looking at the next Call of Duty, Elder Scrolls, Halo, Forza..etc

[ianlawlor]

Wow they are really serious about becoming the Netflix of video games. I like Xbox but I’m not sure how I feel about them waving a stupid amount of money around like that. On the other hand, I am mostly happy for the inevitable culture change coming to Activision-Blizzard.

I’m really curious to know how the Activision-Blizzard employees feel about this.

[BrandonBMore]

The title perfectly sums up my thoughts, great vid as always Jake!

[SethG]

Coming from a playstation player, I was never big on any of the Activison Blizzard games, so this does not bother me too much (Bethsesda still hurts a bit though) but it will be very interesting to see how this all plays out.
I dont really think Sony has to respond or anything (console wars are dumb), but I would like them to branch outside of their staple 3rd person story game a bit (as much I like them) just to add more variety like xbox.

[Mysour]

As someone who started console gaming on a 360, spent 3 years on a PS4, and now has all modern consoles, this isn't disconcerting in the least. I'm with Gameranx. I go where the games are.

[propotato]

I feel like MS doesn't even consider Sony as their real competitor at this point. All this spending is more to compete with Facebook, Google, Amazon and Apple.

[kennethwebb]

Jake, I appreciate you dude. Always straightforward, humble, and pointing out a lot of stuff that average people who aren't insiders think/ask about.
Nice work man. 👍🙂

[Jermungus]

This may sound dumb but I just imagine the ceos of EA, Ubisoft and PlayStation sitting down eating breakfast and suddenly the TV turns on and says the news of xbox's acquisition and they all collectively mutter "oh shit".

[ZeusTheGodSoA]

Came here directly from gameranx video jakey boy. This is absolutely nuts!

[BlackCanvasAudio]

Something that I haven't heard really many people talking about is if this causes escalation between platforms. What if Sony goes out and purchases Capcom or Square Enix? Xbox could go after Ubisoft next. How would Xbox gamers feel about GTA 6 being a PlayStation exclusive? I see this entire scenario blowing up and studios just being gobbled up just to secure content.

[mastercheif]

I hope Sony pushes hard with unique quality exclusives, not against microsoft or Xbox the more the merrier for us gamers but don't monopolize the market and continue to produce lowest common denominator content.

[hasankhan]

This is a plus for us who are from South Asian countries because it means now we can actually afford games and have the ability to pay for me. Because with sony and other publishers besides xbox and steam they don't really support this region, regional pricing or even support local currencies or the ability to buy via local methods like mobile banking or loval credit cards. So, you usally have to give buy giftcards from shady sites or give your account/password for them to buy you something which often leads to theft.

[rk]

Love to hear your take on things my man

[mattock]

I'm optimistically cautious about this acquisition, I believe that Microsoft can turn Activision around and promote a good work enviroment. But I dont like the precedent being set by Microsoft and the fact that Bethesda and Activision were looked at poorly in recent memory makes Microsoft come out like a knight in shining armor coming to set things right, and people cant see the liberation for the crusade that it is.

[mikemcmullen]

They way they treated their employees, that company needed an intervention. Microsoft isn't great but Phil Spencer seems a hell of alot better than Bobby

[cloudsweater]

2022 with all these amazing releases and crazy acquisitions already…gaming is getting insane