Hot off the acquisition of Zenimax, the parent company of Bethesda, Microsoft’s big boss, Satya Nadella spoke with CNET regarding the sale. During this conversation, it was mentioned that software will be important for Microsoft (Xbox) moving forward. Signaling that Zenimax won’t be the end of acquisitions for the company.
Nadella echoes a statement from Phil Spencer who mentioned this a while back after Microsoft had acquired Double Fine Studios, Ninja Theory, and several other companies. After all of the big acquisitions, most had figured that Microsoft was done – until the Zenimax deal, which was easily the biggest to date, was finalized. And seeing how Microsoft isn’t done, this means that more than likely they already have several studios in mind for the next acquisition.
That said, this places Microsoft in a unique position. Microsoft’s biggest asset when compared to its competitors in the gaming space is its massive money resources. Compared to Nintendo who’s sole business is gaming and Sony, who not only also deals in gaming but also electronics, but on a smaller scale than in the company’s previous years, Microsoft has its hands in everything. When looking at the big picture, Microsoft has its search engine (Bing), multiple Windows products, Azure cloud, MS SQL Database, Office 365, and more, in addition to the Xbox gaming division. When it comes to capital, Microsoft has plenty to go around, and now the company is looking to use that to its advantage.
As for what company Microsoft is eyeing to acquire, is anyone’s guess. Could it be Sega, a company that many have speculated as the next company that Microsoft is looking to scoop up. I suspect we won’t have to wait much longer to find out if that is the case, with the 2020 Tokyo Gaming Show starting up this week and especially since Microsoft said it was looking to acquire a Japanese company. Oddly enough, Microsoft will host a 50-minute live stream during the Toyko Game Show, at 5 AM PT / 8 AM ET on September 24, 2020.
Editors Note: I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – I am 100% against 1st party companies acquiring companies that have traditionally been 3rd party. That said, I understand the climate change and the next for exclusives and that’s just the way things are going.
What do you think about this? Are you looking forward to Microsoft expanding its Xbox family or are you against this? Let us know in the comments.
