We imagined deals on the scale of the takeover of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft


The acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft for an amount of around 70 billion dollars opens up a sum of eventualities likely to give rise to the wildest fantasies.

Nobody woke up on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 thinking that, a few hours later, Microsoft would become an even bigger video game empire, announcing its operation on Activision Blizzard (thereby allowing it to recover all its string of strong licenses ).

This resounding transaction, rightly considered a major earthquake in the industry, ultimately says only one thing: nothing is really impossible in the video game market when you are a company that has several tens of billions of dollars. to spend. Because the sum mobilized is, in many respects, out of the ordinary, even for Microsoft.

To imagine future deals of this magnitude, you have to place yourself on very hypothetical ground. Consequently, we had fun exploring some improbable connections whose effects could also upset the video game sphere. At this point, they involve multinationals and the flagship of the video game industry.

These video game deals that would also constitute an earthquake

GTA VI becomes a PlayStation exclusive

Except for Minecraft, no video game has sold better than GTA V. Released in 2013, first on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, Rockstar Games’ blockbuster continues to attract gamers around the world. Recently, it passed the milestone of 155 million copies sold and this volume should increase further with the PS5 and Xbox Series ports. Therefore, it goes without saying that GTA VI, its sequel, is already eagerly awaited.

And imagine that GTA VI either a PlayStation 5 exclusive? Imagine this eventuality of necessarily acquiring the Sony console to enjoy the future best-selling video game. This would be the meaning of the story: as revealed by this anecdote shared in a series of documentaries, GTA III was almost an Xbox exclusive before making Sony and PlayStation 2 happy (temporary exclusivity).

Why shouldn’t this happen? GTA has now become far too powerful to be satisfied with a single platform. By becoming a PS5 exclusive, GTA VI could hardly sell as much as GTA V (it would require the console to reach an installed base of over 150 million units and all owners to purchase GTA VI). Nor should we forget GTA Online, an online game that needs multiple communities to raise a lot of money.

Apple buys Nintendo

Apple is strangely quite wise in the gaming market, although it could afford anyone. Apart from the Apple Arcade subscription (and its supposed VR headset), the Cupertino company does not seem to want to break through more than that in a segment that has a lot to offer. All it would need is a renowned acquisition to position itself once and for all. We think for example of Nintendo, which could provide its strong brands that Apple would sublimate with refined hardware (which Nintendo needs) – yes, we would have our Switch Pro.

We also recall that Nintendo and Apple have already been hand in hand, when Shigeru Miyamoto, father of Mario, came to announce Super Mario Run during an iPhone conference.

Super Mario Run // Source: Nintendo

Why shouldn’t this happen? This would be an a priori ideal marriage (creative power on one side, technological mastery on the other). But Nintendo is far too well today to need a savior, moreover an American one. The Switch would have had to be a huge failure, the second in a row for Nintendo after the Wii U, for the opportunity to be real.

Amazon is resurrecting Sega with a console

This is an acquisition that could make Sonic fans and those nostalgic for Sega consoles (the Dreamcast in mind) jump to the ceiling. Amazon’s strategy is clear: reach as many people as possible. On the video game market, the giant has already placed some marbles with a division dedicated to development (which gained credibility with the launch of the MMORPG New World) and a cloud gaming platform (Luna). The next step could be a console launch – and what better than an illustrious brand to be legit right away?

Why shouldn’t this happen? Sega has somewhat fallen into oblivion today, and only survives with some of its strong licenses (example: Sonic). What’s more, launching a console – physical – is no longer really relevant at a time when cloud gaming is everywhere (a technology that Amazon masters). In short, it will be necessary to dream of another madeleine of Proust.

Facebook offers Valve for its metaverse

We imagined deals of the magnitude of the takeover of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft
The… metaverse // Source: Meta

Like Amazon, Facebook – yes, it’s hard to write Meta – has already entered the gaming market. A few years ago, the multinational acquired Oculus to become a player in virtual reality. It could continue in this direction by focusing, this time, on a bigger fish – like Valve. Gabe Newell’s company would have a lot to contribute to Facebook and, above all, to the metaverse. Half Life, Portal… so many attractive worlds that would be accessible from the upcoming immersive platform. Not to mention the commercial opportunity, which would take the form of a simple Steam button on Facebook (to buy anything with a single click).

Why shouldn’t this happen? Last I heard, Valve is not for sale. Its Steam platform continues to break attendance records and the firm is preparing to launch its first console (the Steam Deck). Afterwards, Activision Blizzard wasn’t really for sale either…



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