Consumers win here in many ways. Why is “consolidation” in this specific case a bad thing?
Because Microsoft now controls even more of the gaming landscape. For instance, who is going to enter the console space when all of the games needed are either locked to Sony or locked to Microsoft? When Google briefly tried to launch Stadia they could at least get big third party games on there, even if they couldn’t get Microsoft / Sony games, that’s out the window after MS / Sony’s buying spree.
Who has tried to enter the console gaming space in the last 20 years as it is? Microsoft are the last one to try lol.
When Google briefly tried to launch Stadia they could at least get big third party games on there
They didn’t though, even when Microsoft didn’t own Activision.
If a new console competitor entered the market you can bet your arse that microsoft would want minecraft and COD on it, for example, because more players = more money. Why do you think Microsoft have been agreeing to put COD on everything under the sun, and are still releasing minecraft games on other consoles?
You also act like there are a limited number of IPs to go around. There aren’t, you can make as many IPs as you want.
Who has tried to enter the console gaming space in the last 20 years as it is?
Google, OnLive, Gaikai, Apple
And yeah, part of my point is that the e,using hegemony prevents people from trying, making it more entrenched will only make things worse.
If a new console competitor entered the market you can bet your arse that microsoft would want minecraft and COD on it, for example, because more players = more money.
Then why is Starfield exclusive? Why are there still a plethora of console exclusive games?
Why do you think Microsoft have been agreeing to put COD on everything under the sun, and are still releasing minecraft games on other consoles?
Because owning AB and using the rest of their exclusives is more valuable than just cod and signing a lot of loud deals about cod might get regulators off their back.
You also act like there are a limited number of IPs to go around. There aren’t, you can make as many IPs as you want.
No, I’m just accurately assessing that there are a very finite number of game studios making games at the scale of AB.
None of whom actually made games, just let you stream other companies games. Microsoft will absolutely let others stream their games if they wanted to.
Then why is Starfield exclusive? Why are there still a plethora of console exclusive games?
Starfield isn’t a cashcow that makes more and more money the more people that play it like GaaS games like COD are.
No, I’m just accurately assessing that there are a very finite number of game studios making games at the scale of AB.
Activision Blizzard realistically only make 3 games these days - COD, Diablo, Overwatch.
Nah, consumers win here too. Why do you think they lose?
Because consolidation is usually not a good thing.
It’s not automatically a bad thing either.
Consumers win here in many ways. Why is “consolidation” in this specific case a bad thing?
In the long run it is always a bad thing.
Because Microsoft now controls even more of the gaming landscape. For instance, who is going to enter the console space when all of the games needed are either locked to Sony or locked to Microsoft? When Google briefly tried to launch Stadia they could at least get big third party games on there, even if they couldn’t get Microsoft / Sony games, that’s out the window after MS / Sony’s buying spree.
Who has tried to enter the console gaming space in the last 20 years as it is? Microsoft are the last one to try lol.
They didn’t though, even when Microsoft didn’t own Activision.
If a new console competitor entered the market you can bet your arse that microsoft would want minecraft and COD on it, for example, because more players = more money. Why do you think Microsoft have been agreeing to put COD on everything under the sun, and are still releasing minecraft games on other consoles?
You also act like there are a limited number of IPs to go around. There aren’t, you can make as many IPs as you want.
Google, OnLive, Gaikai, Apple
And yeah, part of my point is that the e,using hegemony prevents people from trying, making it more entrenched will only make things worse.
Then why is Starfield exclusive? Why are there still a plethora of console exclusive games?
Because owning AB and using the rest of their exclusives is more valuable than just cod and signing a lot of loud deals about cod might get regulators off their back.
No, I’m just accurately assessing that there are a very finite number of game studios making games at the scale of AB.
None of whom actually made games, just let you stream other companies games. Microsoft will absolutely let others stream their games if they wanted to.
Starfield isn’t a cashcow that makes more and more money the more people that play it like GaaS games like COD are.
Activision Blizzard realistically only make 3 games these days - COD, Diablo, Overwatch.