610°

Epic Games Offered Sony $200M To Secure 4-6 First-Party Exclusives

In the ongoing court drama between Epic Games vs. Apple, new documents have emerged that suggest that Epic Games approached Sony for first-party exclusives.

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twistedvoxel.com
Vits1104d ago

Yeah, that is pretty low for 4-6 Sony games. Given that Gearbox got $140M for Boderlands 3 alone.

Jin_Sakai1104d ago (Edited 1104d ago )

I’m surprised Sony haven’t purchased Epic Games by now. They keep investing in them and spam the “what’s new” section with Fortnite stuff. That’s literally the first thing I see every time I turn on PS5.

Orchard1104d ago

Literally zero chance of that happening.

Epic games is at about 30bn in valuation, so about 1/4 of Sony’s (assuming they sold at market value, which they wouldn’t). And their Epic investments have been small compared to other companies with about 1%.

Heck I don’t think even Microsoft would spend 30bn+ on a gaming acquisition.

It’s more likely that Tencent buys them - they already own 40% of Epic.

Jin_Sakai1104d ago (Edited 1104d ago )

“Epic games is at about 30bn in valuation, so about 1/4 of Sony’s (assuming they sold at market value, which they wouldn’t).“

I said “by now” meaning in the past before Epic was worth as much as they are today.

“It’s more likely that Tencent buys them - they already own 40% of Epic.”

That’s all we need is Chinese owned Tencent gobbling them up.

Knightofelemia1104d ago (Edited 1104d ago )

@Jin_Sakai

I don't see Tencent coughing up their shares they own in Epic over to Sony that easily and I doubt Tim Sweeney will either. Only ways they might dump their shares is if Epic is bleeding money not turning a profit and out of desperation to recoup the losses is dump Epic to the highest bidder. Or is if Tencent had enough enough of video games and decided to invest else where and again dump their shares to the highest bidder. Or if Tim Sweeney had enough wanted to retire he would sell of his shares and most likely Tencent will absorb his shares and pay him out.

VenomUK1104d ago

I have to give credit to Ali Hader at Twisted Voxel for being first multiple times on disseminating the court documents in the Epic vs Apple case and putting them out into a story, good stuff.

King_Noctis1103d ago (Edited 1103d ago )

You think Sony has enough cash to purchase Epic? Think again. Epic buys Playstation (not the entire Sony) has a much, much higher chance of happening if Epic want to go that route.

neutralgamer19921103d ago (Edited 1103d ago )

King_Noctis

You can't be serious. Epic buying PlayStation? You do know PlayStation is bigger than epic and is bigger than Nintendo and Xbox. PlayStation generates more revenue, sells more software and makes a bigger profit than epic, Nintendo or Xbox. If epic wants to go that route haha like they can force Sony to sell PlayStation. I know you dislike PlayStation man but atleast stay in the realm of possibility

And why would Sony or anyone buy epic? What important IP's do they own? Buying studios is all about IP's. You think ms would pay 7.5 billion for Bethesda if they didn't have fallout and ES?

Vits1103d ago

I find it very unlikely that anyone could buy Epic. Not only because how valuable they are, but because of how divided the shares are. Sweeney is unlikely to sell his majority stake in the company and Tencent owns almost all the rest.

Though there are a shaking happening right now. Thanks to the Apple lawsuit and Tencent issues with the US government. And depending of the result. I could see a bigger fish gobbling a part of Epic. But my first bet would be Microsoft and not Sony.

dcbronco1103d ago

I believe if Epic was up for sale Microsoft would outbid Sony for it. Just to bring the Epic Store under Microsoft as well as Unreal engine. Microsoft would never let Sony outbid them. If you think they wanted iD tech, Unreal has huge market value. Its everywhere.

King_Noctis1103d ago (Edited 1103d ago )

@neturalgamer

“ You do know PlayStation is bigger than epic and is bigger than Nintendo and Xbox.”

You do know Nintendo worth $95 billion right? You know how much Playstation worth? $45 billion.

https://mddailyrecord.com/n...
https://mddailyrecord.com/p...

“ And why would Sony or anyone buy epic? What important IP's do they own?”

You do know that Fortnite made more than $9 billion in revenue in its first two years right? Which Playstation exclusive game made that much money in its first two years in the market?

https://www.theverge.com/20...

Ratty1103d ago

Buying out other companies isn't and shouldn't be the solution to everything.

Hell the company I worked for was bought out by a bigger one and in my experience it always sucks. The bigger company slowly sucks out everything that made the purchased company unique until it's cold, generic and bland like the bigger one.

IMO buyouts shouldn't be a thing.

HellspawnPR19811103d ago

I don't even know the numbers but I'm pretty sure they can't afford it.

1103d ago
Army_of_Darkness1103d ago

@Jin_Sakai

What does Chinese or Japanese have to do with anything? you seriously think epic would be in better hands if they were bought by MS?? 🙄 Please....

+ Show (10) more repliesLast reply 1103d ago
RosweeSon1103d ago

Yeah maybe per game 🤣😑✌🏻 They ain’t getting 4-6 for that money unless they wanted knack 1/2 😑🤣✌🏻

porkChop1103d ago

Borderlands 3 was a brand new game, that kind of deal costs a lot more. This offer was in regards to Sony porting existing first party exclusives to PC.

I'm not saying I think the offer is good or not.

Vits1103d ago

That could hold water for almost any publisher. But definitely not for Sony that treats all of their PC ports as brand new games with a full price tag to boot. So $200M for 4-6 ports is a completely unrealistic expectation from Epic even more if they were expecting a full year of exclusivity.

MightyHealthy1103d ago

Oh, thank you for clarifying now the title makes sense.

neutralgamer19921103d ago

King

And your point is what? 45 billion just got playstation. Sony's worth is 121 billion. And you do know the the popularity of FN has been going down last 4-6 months right? That's still one game but one huge game.

Your original statement was epic could buy PlayStation if they wanted to. Actually you said it has a big chance of happening. How they are worth 30+ billion? How can a company that's worth 30 billion force a company that's worth 4 times more than them to sell? If that statement is true than I guess epic can buy Xbox and Nintendo too right especially xbox since without ms money it wouldn't even survive

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1103d ago
ApocalypseShadow1104d ago (Edited 1104d ago )

*Epic wanted some Sony exclusives to help their store.

*Microsoft most likely were/are in talks to bring their games to Steam.

*There's no way Game Pass would be on Steam. That would cut into Valve's profits. That rumor sounds ridiculous. It's possible like the other offerings. But I wouldn't do it as a business.

Epic had definitely been busy. Funny thing is that it would be Tencent, a Chinese company, raking in the money by owning 40% of Epic. Just making that company bigger.

Epic should just stick with making game development easy for the gaming community. Especially with the impressive Meta Humans and UE5. All this other stuff they jumped into just makes them look desperate and shady at the same time. Not a good look.

TheColbertinator1103d ago

Game Pass on Steam would be a dream ticket for me.

Valve and Microsoft cutting deals to allow me to use Game Pass on their platform with a big selection of Steam games and not the super limited Microsoft Store. I'd buy 3 years full price if Microsoft and Steam collaborated on that level.

MadLad1103d ago

At that point I'd assume Valve would simply roll out their own service, honestly. There's been no news to show, but I'd be really surprised if it's not being thrown around internally already.

Petebloodyonion1103d ago

Why would Steam not allow Gamepass?
Like the argument that ppl don't buy Microsoft games because Gamepass has been debunked by Steam since MS games like Sea of Thieves, Halo, etc. are selling quite well on Steam at the current price despite being available on Gamepass on the same PC.
And I'm pretty sure that the average JOE who plays PC games on PC knows that you can buy a game from Epic games store, Windows, etc. and it will still play on the same PC
So yeah perhaps the PC version of Gamepass could happen and MS could give Valve some exclusivity of MS games in the VR space.

derek1103d ago Show
Petebloodyonion1103d ago

So who’s been buying the Microsoft games on Steam like the millions of Sea of Thieves copies sold on the platform?

ApocalypseShadow1103d ago (Edited 1103d ago )

It's as Derek said and I implied, too many of you on Xbox say that game pass saves you money. How exactly? You know the answer. You don't have to buy games individually. If that came to Steam, individual sales would diminish leading into less profits. Unless Valve was cut in on those profits that Microsoft would be making. I don't know how much they get from uplay and EA access. But obviously they do being that they are being offered. I said above that it's possible because of those other services. But I wouldn't do it.

The Colbertinator is directly saying he'd jump on it in a heart beat. Meaning, he would save money by having games bundled in a service instead of buying games.

It cuts into sales. If all gamers were in a subscription service, the money made today would be less because it's shared and divided amongst developers. And because of that, some games wouldn't even be made because it wouldn't be profitable to make them. Not unless the service provider paid the full amount for development. It's unlikely that that would be the case for all developers.

So, it is not worth it to some developers. Do you see RE8 on game pass? No. It's not worth it to Capcom. Is Returnal on PS Now? No. It's not worth it to Sony. No company wants to lose money. Because it leads gamers into not buying new games. Just like streaming services have lead into less sales for DVD and Blu-ray. Look it up. It's "Common sense."

Why do we have to keep educating you guys to the truth?

1Victor1103d ago

“So yeah perhaps the PC version of Gamepass could happen and MS could give Valve some exclusivity of MS games in the VR space.”🤦🏿 🤯 🤪 hey Pete what alternate dimensions did you dropped from that Microsoft got games in the VR space.

Petebloodyonion1103d ago (Edited 1103d ago )

@Shadow
I'm grateful for your teaching since I love learning new stuff related to economics
Now I'm sure you will be able to explain in details the source of your truth cause it was sure not in the Costco success model that is often explained in marketing and sales courses (I copy some quick link to refresh your memory)
https://ethicsunwrapped.ute...
or watch this video
https://www.youtube.com/wat...

Now just letting you know that a lot of this stuff is used by Sony, Steam, Amazon, Apple, and MS who basically are giving cheap stuff and making huge sales to have you spend more $ in the store than you would normally do (buying 4 games for 100$ instead of 1 at 60$).

Now I know that this example is pretty basic 101 and not as advance as your teaching from the lessons of your dreams but just please answer this simple question.
If 1 month of Gamepass is 1 item in the Steam inventory just as a 60$ game is 1 item (and both cost 0$ money to Steam since it's digital goods) then how does Steam is losing money if he succeeds in making you buy the same item 12 times vs the 1 game at 80$ during the year?

Bonus Question Why does Sony allow Free to play games, give you 2 games per month via PS+, gave 10 PS4 games for free (play at home), and gave 18 Ps4 in the PS+ collection when you bought a Ps5? surely this dumb move would prevent ppl from buying games at 70$ like Spider-man or Returnal since they already have so many games to play at the moment.

Ps, You have still not answered the question of Who bought the millions of Sea of thieves games sold at a premium price on Steam in the 1st month of Steam launch last year?
https://news.xbox.com/en-us...

@1Victor
Do they need to make a game in VR? how about playing game pass in a big Xbox Vr playroom?
Perhaps have some Steams VR games in a Gamepass catalog made for Steam
Epic was ready to make a game for Sony PSVR2 in exchange for allowing crossplay Does Epic have a VR headset?
And last I checked Minecraft Vr does exist on PSVR so again why would this be impossible?

jeromeface1102d ago

Steam is in the business of selling games, not renting them.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 1102d ago
gold_drake1103d ago

wow thats not alot actually. given they paid 140 mio. for borderlands 3.
im actually surprised by this.

FallenAngel19841103d ago

Bruh this courtcase is becoming more interesting than E3

gold_drake1103d ago

right?
i mean .. e3 hasnt been interesting in a while, but that depends on who u ask i guess.

badz1491103d ago

come on don't say THAT! MS was already banking on E3 this year and you just want to rain on their parade like that? so cruel LOL

Skuletor1103d ago

Cheapskates, just like the majority of Epic Games Store users that are just there for free games and free to play Fortnite

Show all comments (57)
350°

Microsoft's quest for short-term $$$ is doing long-term damage to Windows, Surface, Xbox, and beyond

Microsoft is pushing for no "red line" for what games could come to PlayStation, and it all revolves around Satya Nadella and CFO Amy Hood's plans to increase every department's margins.

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windowscentral.com
Brazz15h ago

"The plan to move Xbox games to other platforms is codenamed "Latitude" internally, and I know there's debate and unease at Microsoft about whether or not this is a good idea. More upcoming Microsoft-owned games slated for PlayStation are already being developed. At least for now, they're potentially obvious games you'd most likely expect. And yes, while it's true Microsoft is a prolific publisher on PlayStation already, it has typically revolved around specific franchises like Minecraft. From what I've heard, Microsoft is pushing for no "red line" for what games could come to PlayStation, and it all revolves around Satya Nadella and CFO Amy Hood's mandate to increase every department's margins. "

Yeah, they are going to kill Xbox hardware.

Xeofate13h ago

"Yeah, they are going to kill Xbox hardware."

It's for the best.

Quit stringing along xbox fans and screwing over PlayStation owners.

crazyCoconuts8h ago

Take good care of those Xboxes if you have 'em ...

outsider16248h ago

An Xbox game on a Playstation. Never in my years of gaming did i ever thought this was gonna happen.

jznrpg4h ago

It is dying anyway so doesn’t make much of a difference

VersusDMC4h ago

No way can they get rid of the hardware as probably 90% of game pass subscribers are hardware users.

Highly doubtful those users will move to PC or Cloud to subscribe there and the competition (Sony and Nin) will never have gamepass on their system.

If they want to keep the current subscribers, they need to keep releasing new hardware.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4h ago
gold_drake15h ago

i think it will kill off the xbox brand. windows will be fine.

but there is and would be a chance that xbox might be killed off in the future. if they fail to make the money they put in. imo.

S2Killinit12h ago

They wont kill it, but they will go fully PC while keeping xbox as a brand, and go multiplatform for the most part. They will also work tirelessly to diminish console gaming’s importance.

PRIMORDUS9h ago

It would be best if Xbox goes the way of Sega, just make and publish games. I know I myself will not support them at all with buying games from them, you all can. 🙃

ChasterMies7h ago

The Xbox brand will live for the games. I don’t expect Microsoft to entirely drop out of gaming hardware. They make Surface tablets and laptops. They’ll make Xbox branded hardware for those that want it.

shadowT14h ago

"Microsoft is pushing for no "red line" for what games could come to PlayStation"

Forza and Starfield next?

Skuletor12h ago

Starfield would be no surprise and there's the rumor that it will come to Playstation after the Shattered Space DLC, Forza (along with Halo and Gears of War) I find less likely but I wouldn't be surprised if they eventually end up on PlayStation too, especially if Xbox give up on hardware and go the Sega route.

shinoff218312h ago

Not to worried about forza. I'd rather see others like what inxile and obsidian are working on. Starfield sounds like it needs more time in the oven so let it cook first imo. If starfield and it's a small if does release on ps it'll be in the fall around the time for dlc or right at the dlc and come packaged with it.

-Foxtrot13h ago

In the words of Phil Spencer when he was talking about Nintendo last year

“It's just taking a long time for Microsoft to see that their future exists off of their own hardware"

S2Killinit12h ago

Yup. MS are a cancer to console gaming.

Aloymetal11h ago

100%!!
I wonder what happened to that dude that was always here posting those court articles with cartoons about MS spending all those billions in studios. He suddenly disappeared, I guess he doesn't like bad news when the green brand is in trouble. No new articles from him as of late...

PRIMORDUS9h ago

Yup, and it's only going to keep spreading.

Outside_ofthe_Box9h ago

Phil Spencer's words always comes back to bite him lol

13h agoReplies(7)
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120°

Hypercharge Unboxed Dev Saddened By Claims It'll Be 'Dead' Without Xbox Game Pass

One of the big Xbox releases heading our way in May 2024 is the long-awaited Hypercharge Unboxed, which is finally bringing its "first and third-person shooter action figure game" to Xbox consoles on Friday, May 31st.

Sadly, ahead of launch, the game's official Twitter (or "X") account has been highlighting the "trolls" who are claiming that because it's not launching on Game Pass, Hypercharge Unboxed is already set up for failure on Xbox.

helicoptergirl23h ago

It's horrible what people will say, but the truth might be harsh. There is a good chance it might not do well on Xbox if it's not on GamePass. There is a strong possibility that is the case. We'll see.

When it launches on Playstation in the future you can rest assured it will sell much better. The devs have confirmed it's coming to Playstation in the future.

"It is built in the Unreal Engine 4. The game was released on the Nintendo eShop on January 31, 2020 and on Steam on April 27, 2020. The development of Hypercharge: Unboxed for the Xbox platform was officially announced on July 16, 2022, with the developers also confirming future support for the PlayStation."

ZeekQuattro22h ago

I remember having this on my radar years ago for the Switch but never pulled the trigger on it. Crazy it's still not on PlayStation yet.

northpaws14h ago

And that's the problem of GamePass.

JEECE13h ago

Unfortunately once people are conditioned to expect to get something as part of a subscription they already pay for, they are unlikely to buy it a la carte. Some games, including this one, now look like "Gamepass Games" to a huge chunk of the Xbox audience. Maybe this game will buck that trend, and I wish them luck, but I'd imagine they'll have a rough go trying to sell this game on Xbox.

shinoff218313h ago

Hopefully their game not selling on Xbox doesn't stop them from bringing it to ps. I can't imagine why a developer would go Xbox first if their not on gamepass. Good luck to them though.

JEECE12h ago

Yeah I can't figure that out either. I mean I understand why you go there first if you get a Gamepass payday, but if you are just trying to sell copies it doesn't make sense. Fewer users overall, and a smaller percentage of those users are willing to buy indie games a la carte.

Jingsing11h ago

Yeah, I can't understand it either unless there is some deep routed fan-boyism from the developer, which isn't very clever if you are trying to make a living. Fatshark is a perfect example of a developer sending their games to die on Xbox and they kept doing it.

Jingsing11h ago

British guy saying Xbox is his dream console doesn't really sit right does it. 5 generations of PlayStation in the UK and you haven't figured out what console is going to make you the most money. That is the mistake you've made.

JEECE1h ago

I wonder how old he is and when he got into gaming. For a certain segment of gamers, it can be difficult to overstate how influential the Xbox 360 was.

90°

Epic Games Faces $1.2 Million Fine Over "Unfair Practices," Plans to Fight Back

Epic Games is facing a $1.2 million fine by the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets over "unfair practices" in the Fortnite shop.

Sciurus_vulgaris1d 6h ago

It might be cheaper to simply pay the fine. Fighting said fine could cost millions due to court and lawyer fees. Fortnite generates well over a 100 million in each month, so Epic has plenty of cash.

franwex22h ago(Edited 22h ago)

But if they did pay it, then they are basically admitting that they did something they weren’t supposed to be doing. If they fight it, they may win and continue to have a sense of urgency for their micro transactions thus making more money long term.

Goodguy0114h ago(Edited 14h ago)

Meaning more suits to follow from others if they don't fight as well.

Not a fan of Epic nor fortnite and their micro transactions. But the game is heavily supported and is free to play, all store items are completely cosmetic.

20h ago
Furesis17h ago

I'd fight back too. These are kinda meaningless reasons to fine someone like really for THAT. It's like they just wanted to make money or something.

Sephiroushin7h ago

There is a law for something, but even if its stupid follow it because if you break it you pay for it; if they knew they cant place a “buy now” in NL then just dont do it!