The Xbox ranks may be replenished with new companies. The network started talking that Microsoft is eyeing the purchase of three more game studios: Crystal Dynamics, IO Interactive and Avalanche Studios. All of them are currently working on projects for the corporation.
This opinion was shared by Jeff Grubb from VentureBeat. During the Grubb Snax podcast, he touched on the topic of the near future of Microsoft’s gaming division.
According to Grubb, the company is not going to rush with new acquisitions. Allegedly, she is already happy with how things are going at Xbox. Psychonauts 2 and Deathloop have recently been released on its platform, and Forza Horizon 5 will also be released soon. As Grubb points out, Microsoft has something to release both now and in 2023 and 2024. Even if the releases of individual games are delayed, the company will not suffer. Therefore, it treats acquisitions more simply, but does not completely abandon them.
“I don’t think right now Microsoft will go and buy, for example, Take Two. Instead, it will act smarter and build relationships [with smaller companies],” Grubb said.
According to the journalist, it is much more likely that Microsoft will be interested in those studios with which it already cooperates. As an example, he cited Crystal Dynamics, IO Interactive and Avalanche Studios. Each of them now interacts with the Xbox in one way or another. Crystal Dynamics is helping to create a remake of Perfect Dark, Avalanche Studios is developing Contraband, an exclusive for Xbox, and IO Interactive is making an original fantasy RPG. If the projects turn out to be of high quality, Microsoft can start negotiations on the takeover of companies, Grubb is sure.
Recall that these studios have projects such as Hitman 3 (IO Interactive), Just Cause 3 (Avalanche Studios) and Rise of the Tomb Raider (Crystal Dynamics). By the way, IO Interactive is the only independent developer out of this three. Avalanche Studios is controlled by the Danish film company Nordisk Film, and Crystal Dynamics is part of the Japanese publisher Square Enix.
Microsoft itself, as well as the three named studios, have not yet commented on Grubb’s words. Earlier this year, the corporation bought the ZeniMax Media gaming concern, the parent company of Bethesda, id Software and a number of other studios.