Microsoft planned to buy Sega and Bungie to “expand Xbox Game Pass’s reach”
Do not pass “go”
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Internal documents have revealed thatMicrosofthad ambitious plans to acquire a range of developers, including Sega and Bungie.
In addition to Xbox headPhil Spencer’s testimony, theongoing legal battlebetween the US Federal Trade Commission and Microsoft over the latter’splans to acquire Activision Blizzardhas led to the revelation of a range of confidential documents. Among these was an email from Spencer sent in 2020 outlining a strategy to “accelerateXbox Game Pass” through the designation of “acquisition targets” (via The Verge).
Though the email focused on Sega, it mentioned “informing our next strategic acquisition target”, a theme that would be developed in another document revealed during the trial. A 2021 document revealed a list of companies that Microsoft had in its sight for acquisition as part of Xbox Game Studios. Among them were Bungie, IO Interactive, Supergiant Games, Niantic, and Zynga.
Suffice it to say, these companies are big names within the industry. IO Interactive is renowned for the Hitman series, while Niantic’sPokémon Gohas amassed fans from around the world. Zynga is a dominant force in the mobile market while Bungie’sDestiny 2continues to thrive even six years after release.
Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of ActivisionBlizzardhas attracted a great deal of scrutiny from governments across the world over concerns that it would allow Microsoft to promote a monopoly in the cloud gaming market. The UK’s own Competition and Markets Authorityflat-out blocked the deal, while the European Union’s own body onlypermitted the deal to go aheadwith some significant caveats.
The tech giant has taken great pains to allay concerns of monopoly building, offering a range of deals with competitors, including ahistoric agreement with Nintendoto bringCall of Dutyto the Japanese video game company’s consoles.
Despite these concerns of monopoly building,Xbox Game Passremains a great deal for consumers, offering awide range of gamesranging fromsingle-player experiencesto multiplayer. It’s well worth checking out if you haven’t already.
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An editor and freelance journalist, Cat Bussell has been writing about video games for more than four years and, frankly, she’s developed a taste for it. As seen on TechRadar, Technopedia, The Gamer, Wargamer, and SUPERJUMP, Cat’s reviews, features, and guides are lovingly curated for your reading pleasure.
A Cambridge graduate, recovering bartender, and Cloud Strife enjoyer, Cat’s foremost mission is to bring you the best coverage she can, whether that’s through helpful guides, even-handed reviews, or thought-provoking features. She’s interviewed indie darlings, triple-A greats, and legendary voice actors, all to help you get closer to the action. When she’s not writing, Cat can be found sticking her neck into a fresh RPG or running yet another Dungeons & Dragons game.
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