190°

Hey Microsoft, Acquiring A Hit Game Is Stupid

Buying a game company is like buying an aging baseball player. You’ll need a miracle to get another hit. And while they might have plenty of fans, they probably aren’t making a lot of new ones. Mojang hit a grand slam home run with Minecraft, but that doesn’t mean Microsoft should pay $2.5 billion for it, as it’s reportedly going to announce this week. There’s no guarantee it will produce another blockbuster; players will eventually move on from Minecraft, and I doubt anyone is going to buy a dopey Windows Phone just to play a slightly different version of the pixelated sandbox game.

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techcrunch.com
gameon19853541d ago

Is that what every one said when Sony bought Naughty dog, Sucker punch, MM, etc etc? It's only stupid when microsoft does it right?

christocolus3541d ago

Whatever plans MS has for the franchise must be huge cos this deal isn't just about xbox and im certain mojang and MS have stuff planned which might be beyond the minecraft ip.

Wish both parties the best.

lelo2play3541d ago (Edited 3541d ago )

You can mark my words.
I suspect Microsoft is acquiring Mojang so that they can make a exclusive Minecraft running with their rumoured Virtual Reality headset.

TongkatAli3541d ago (Edited 3541d ago )

I'm happy for Microsoft with this deal, Minecraft is an awesome game that actually makes children smarter.

To those disagrees, you're still going to play Minecraft why the hate ? If your a Nintendo only gamer I can understand because you're never getting Minecraft, but Playstation got Minecraft on the PS3, PS4 and it's coming to the Vita.

pedrof933541d ago

@gameon

What ? The context is different, ND,SP and MM were small devs that worked exclusively with sony. While Mojang did a hit game that is available on every device. Mojang can't go higher than this. Remember Rare ?

bartender643541d ago

What if MS creates a world in Minecraft, in which you use your avatars? I don't know, I'm thinking they are planning something like Ps home, but with the dept of Minecraft?

prodg523540d ago

It would be cool if microsoft somehow combines minecraft with project spark. That would be a huge game.

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martinezjesus19933541d ago

I highly doubt any of those companies cost Sony 2.5 BILLION dollars.

xx4xx3541d ago

When Sony sees profits of $24 Billion dollars a year they might be able to start buying some in that range too.

martinezjesus19933540d ago

@xx4xx as much money as Microsoft sees doesnt mean they should throw their money away.

MasterCornholio3541d ago

Didn't those firms make games exclusively for the PS4? It made sense that Sony bought them because they heavily funded their games. Minecraft on the other hand is another story about a multiplat becoming exclusive if this deal falls through. Dont tell me there are not a ton of people playing the game on their PlayStation's because they are.

SmielmaN3541d ago

I believe your right. Naughty dog, evolution, sucker punch I believe all were third parties but Sony published their game and then acquired the studio. I won't say I'm 100% sure of all the facts but I think I'm sure about those three studios.

gootimes3541d ago (Edited 3541d ago )

The only reason it seems a bit strange to me is that Minecraft is already out on Sony's platforms. If they bought the company before it released on next gen systems it would make more sense.

You could make the argument they have other things planned, but the mind behind Minecraft is said to be leaving after the deal... I don't think Microsoft is wrong in wanting more studios or ip's, it's just this particular one is confusing.

3540d ago
Antnee5343540d ago

They want to do what they did to rare and fuck up everything about the company and its games

OB1Biker3541d ago (Edited 3541d ago )

They didnt buy any after one hugely successful game, and no franchise that was multiplaform. They bought them when they were small and helped them to become successful

Gamer4life8883541d ago

did you just compared Naughty dog, Sucker punch, MM with an indie developer?!

mhunterjr3541d ago

Those were indie developers too, until Sony bought them...

The comparison is valid.

nX3541d ago

The thing is, Mojang is making tons of money every year but Minecraft is still not a good "game". I don't see much talent in that company so I don't understand why Microsoft would want them other than for the IP itself.

geddesmond3541d ago

Lol I really doubt Sony paid more than 10 mil each for any of those studios. Minecraft is already on PS3 and PS4 what could MS possibly gain from this unless they plan on getting Chinese exclusive on tMinecraft or some crap like that which might help sell consols in that region.

Patrick_pk443541d ago

It is unintelligent to purchase Mojang for 2.5 billion, since Minecraft alone will never reach them a profit over that of their purchase.

Rimeskeem3541d ago

Acquiring a hit studio is a lot different then a hit game.

XxExacutionerxX3541d ago

I look at Minecraft as a Fad, just like rock band and guitar hero or Call of Duty. It's popular now but it will go away and people will move on from it.

nX3541d ago

I actually don't understand how it became so popular in the first place... it's boring as hell, I didn't enjoy it at all.

Spotie3540d ago (Edited 3540d ago )

How is this an intelligent comment?

You're comparing a GAME to a STUDIO, which is in no way intelligent.

Had you mentioned... well, Sony isn't known for just buying IPs. They buy the studios that make those IPs, like all the ones you listed. Same with Nintendo.

MICROSOFT buys third party IPs, and that's stupid.

Edit: I read that they're buying the studio. Slightly less stupid, but it's not as if they've got a proven track record: ANYBODY can make one good game. And still, it's not comparable to any of the studios listed, because none of them were known for making multiplats like Mojang.

sinspirit3540d ago

Sony acquired MM before LBP was anything but a concept, not even resembling the final game past the platformer and physics based gameplay.

Naughty Dog has had a relationship with Sony for years before being bought by Sony. Same with Sucker Punch. It's not like they just saw studios and simply bought them for their games. They had relationships and they bought them and made them better and provided them with everything they need.

MS has bought many studios and so far hasn't really proven that a MS owned studio is anything special. In fact Rare was demolished and Bungie didn't want to stay with them.

MS has almost no relationship with Mojang, and is simply paying money specifically for one hit game.

kratoz12093540d ago

Microsoft will buy the developers of candy crush and release in incthe holiday season 2015

miyamoto3540d ago (Edited 3540d ago )

LOL!

NO.

ND, SP & MM all did exclusive first party games for Sony when they were unproven nobodies in the video game industry.
That is faith & believing.

They were budding seedlings when Sony approached them unlike Mojang who already is a huge tree that sold a huge 50 plus million copies of Minecraft across multi platforms. And Minecraft is already a proven hit before this rumored acquisition.
That is seeing.

There is a whole lotta difference there, buddy.

There is a huge difference between believing (PlayStation) and seeing (M$).

In every emerging market of computing technology whether:
personal computers (the Apple Macintosh),
word processing (Word Perfect),
internet browser(Netscape),
video games (PlayStation 2 & PlayStation exclusive games),
mp3 players (iPod),
smartphones (iPhone & Android),
tablets (iPad & Android),
search engines(Google)
etc etc

Microsoft is the unoriginal, second rate trying hard, copycat, money monster bully who always wants to steal market share from the original upstarts, then try to monopolize it and in turn destroying everything!

Antnee5343540d ago

Mr you are the smartest commenter on any comment thread, page thing ever I gave you a bubble a agree and a cookie if I could cause god dam you spoke the dawn truth lol

+ Show (11) more repliesLast reply 3540d ago
Enemy3541d ago (Edited 3541d ago )

Minecraft won't sell consoles for them. Not only does the game look ugly and unappealing, but most of the people that play it are on PC. This will help them sell Windows before Apple completely takes over, yes, as it's clear they intend to have the game preinstalled in every new edition of Windows.

jackanderson19853541d ago (Edited 3541d ago )

It's sold over 12 million copies on Xbox 360, more than 3mil on the ps3. The console sales are higher than the pc sales

https://twitter.com/intent/...

If you're going to mock something at least get the facts right

Also 54 million sales says it's very appealing

christocolus3541d ago

Forgive his ignorance, he was only trying to downplay it because his favorite company isn't the one doing the aquisition.

MasterCornholio3541d ago

Why is there a huge difference in sales?

I'm just curious because that's a pretty big gap between the two and I'm wondering if its because the game was released first on the 360 or something similar.

DragoonsScaleLegends3541d ago

@MasterCornholio - It was released on Xbox around a year before PS3.

user3672723541d ago

Cross platform. Could you imagine a Minrcraft 2 with a bigger budget behind it and updated graphics that caj be crossed play between XB1, PC, and smart phones? That is a huge coup for MS. Again, Mine craft sold over 50 millions and that is as valuable if not more valuable than a mega franchise like GTA.

HmongAmerican3541d ago (Edited 3541d ago )

Minecraft = Minecroft.

Rik_Mayall3541d ago

MS can be dumb. But they are not $2.5 billion dumb.

Godmars2903541d ago (Edited 3541d ago )

They were Zune dumb.

They were also Netflix dumb. Maneuvering for console exclusivity but insisting on an XBL subscription for an outside subscription service.

Hell, they were also DRM dumb as well as Kinect dumb.

So yes; its very likely that they'd spend 2.5 billion for something that's sold 54 million, then restrict access to it on one platform with expectation of selling and 54 million.

Edit:
Microsoft was strong armed into buying Apple stock, of saving the company, by the US government over anti-trust and monopoly charges.

Rik_Mayall3541d ago (Edited 3541d ago )

Name me a company which hasn't had its fair share of flops?

Also out of that category name a company which has had success.

Answer: Most of them.

The biggest mistake which you failed to mention was MS buying large amounts of stock to keep Apple afloat, which in the noughties gave MS a bit of a kicking.

Now also guess which mistake turned into a gold mine for MS after the fact that Apple had a re-emergence.

Concertoine3541d ago (Edited 3541d ago )

Yeah. You focus on only their mistakes. Most people wouldnt accuse Nintendo of being dumb for the virtual boy or wii u or something. Also sony for the psp go, cell architecture, ps move, etc...

You've made it clear you don't like the Xbox brand for your various reasons but youre jumping the gun like crazy. MS studios isnt even making the acquisition, Microsoft as a whole is. The game is already on the PSN for three Sony platforms and they could pull a lot of revenue, they would be dumb to deny that after such a massive bill.

Once again assuming this is even true.

Godmars2903541d ago

@Concertoine:
Who wouldn't say Sony or Nintendo messed up with the PSPgo or the Virtualboy? That, short of fanboy delusion and projection, is ridiculous.

But we're not talking about those mistakes. We're talking about what MS is likely to do after buying a company with an IP that's rather popular. How what they might do with it could affect access, and how anything restrictive might be a mistake. Negatively effect that IP making it not worth the cost in acquiring it.

Concertoine3541d ago (Edited 3541d ago )

Err... that wasn't my point You started your first comment off naming all of their mistakes as if that's all they've ever done. One could just as well bring up Sony's numerous poor corporate decisions (like you brought up Zune... so much relevance) that got them in the financial hole. I could say "oh Sony will mess up like they did with x, y, and z" but that's ignoring the rest of the alphabet. MS hasn't had as much success as Sony of course, but in the big financial picture they are doing better for a reason. Like i said, this is hardly relevant to the acquisition of a company like Mojang.

I mean, you realize MS isn't run by monkeys, right? They don't expect to gather just as many sales on their platforms as they do on the current 6. They will examine the financial viability of a decision just as any corporation would, and if the sales of the game, its merchandise, and any other future products of Mojang aren't enough to make their money back then they won't do it.

Once again... assuming this is real.

beerzombie3540d ago

The Zune was better than iPod.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3540d ago
Conzul3541d ago

yeeeeeeaaaaaaahhhhhTheyAre

DragoonsScaleLegends3541d ago

I don't care who owns it as long as the updates continue for the PlayStation versions.

XiMasterChief3541d ago

Which probably won't happen when Microsoft acquires it.

SkippyPaccino3541d ago

I know, patch the ps3 version to be able to upload are maps and get version 1.7 working on PS4 and I'll be golden for a while.

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120°

10 Biggest Xbox Mistakes of All Time (So Far)

The Xbox brand has done a lot of good over the years, but their various blunders are pretty wild to look back on in their magnitude.

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culturedvultures.com
piroh1d 3h ago (Edited 1d 3h ago )

Ironically number 9 can save them at this point (releasing games on multiple platforms)

OtterX9h ago

You could add the naming scheme for the consoles, it just confuses customers. I know they wanted to avoid traditional numbering bc it would always be lower than their competitor, but this whole 360 then One then Series thing is confusing af. Imagine a Soccer Mom trying to figure this stuff out. I still mistakenly call the Series X the One from time to time on accident.

RNTody8h ago

Don't forget about the Xbox One, Xbox One X and Xbox Series X! Good luck to Soccer moms around the world.

Cacabunga9h ago(Edited 9h ago)

Phil Spencer is the worst that has happened to Xbox.
They built a respectable brand up to Xbox one. Then this guy took over and things became a joke

Reaper22_3h ago

He still has his job. Something you can't say about Jim Ryan.

Cacabunga3h ago

Both bad execs. One is on job and one thankfully retired.

MaximusPrime_6h ago

Really good video.

I remember the days with RRoD was big news on here, N4G.

Microsoft had it turbulence number of years.

Looking at the success of Sea of Thieves despite being 6 years old, time to release Halo, Forza horizon 4 & 5 on PS5. It'll help their revenue

shinoff21833h ago(Edited 3h ago)

2 of the 4 games they did already sold really well. So it's definitely going down. Idk about halo or forza but I feel those studios they've bought in the last 5 years, their coming

ChasterMies5m ago

I found this video painful to watch. Can someone list them out?

Top 10 for me from are:
1. 2013 reveal presentation
2. Bundling Kinect 2 with Xbox One
3. RRoD or why rushing to market with hardware is always a bad idea.
4. Buying studios only to close them.
5. Ads on the Home Screen
6. Letting Halo die.
7. Letting Geard of War die.
8. Every console name
9. Charging for Xbox Live on Xbox 360 when Sony let PS3 players play online for free.
10. Cancelling release of OG Xbox games after the Xbox 360 launched.

150°

Microsoft to Add Copilot AI to Video Games

Microsoft recently revealed its plans to incorporate Copilot directly into video games, with Minecraft being the first showcased example.

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xpgained.co.uk
Fishy Fingers4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

F*** AI

"Hey Copilot, what's a good meme to prove I dislike AI".... https://giphy.com/clips/sou...

Einhander19724d ago

Two trillion dollar company that just can't wait to put as many people possible out of work as fast as possible.

It feels like every single thing they do is making gaming worse and destroying the industry.

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darthv723d ago

....you know it takes people to program the AI.... right? It isnt like it is sentient. We haven't reach skynet level of situation or anywhere close to the matrix just yet.

That's next Thursday.

Einhander19723d ago (Edited 3d ago )

It takes a people to program the AI then that AI is used for who knows how many games eliminating countless jobs which only grows as AI is used for more and more game creation functions.

What you're saying is so ridiculously short sighted and truly larking any kind of understanding and foresight.

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CaptainFaisal4d ago

Why all the hate? Im actually excited about this! Always wanted this kind of immersion, and an AI companion with me all the time helping me out knowing the status of my skills/inventory/progress and giving me tips on the best approach or how to craft something specific is game changing for the industry.

Hate all you want about AI, but this is just the start and I can see the potential already. You wont be complaining in the next 5-10 years about this, but rather complain if a game hasn’t implemented it.

MrDead4d ago

Yes we can't wait for the work of others to be used without the need to pay them so that MS can profit even more from the people they fire.

I_am_Batman4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

There is no chance I'd ever use something like this, especially if it's not part of the core game design, but a layer on top of it. It's way too much handholding. Many games already feel like busy work, because they don't let the player figure things out on their own. Having a real-time interactive guide defeats the purpose of playing the game in the first place in my opinion.

If this were to become the standard like you predict, we'll see more and more video games get away with bad design, because people will just be used to ask for help from the AI companion anyway.

Number1TailzFan4d ago

Well Nintendo don't need this with some of their games these days, with invincible characters, items, easy bosses etc.. they do the hand holding built in

helicoptergirl4d ago

Takes "hand holding" in games to a whole new level.

BlackDoomAx3d ago

Because human nature xD Almost every new technology had these kind of comments.

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80°

Microsoft Store Hints At Upcoming Release Of Minecraft: Bedrock Edition On Steam

The Microsoft Store has hinted at the upcoming release of Minecraft: Bedrock Edition on Valve's digital distribution platform, Steam.

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twistedvoxel.com
OtterX7d ago (Edited 7d ago )

1 major advantage to this will be launching it straight from SteamVR. You have to make a custom shortcut to get it working right now in VR.

UltimateOwnage6d ago

This is good news. It will be much easier to get it installed on my devices without using workarounds.