The idea of Bethesda and Obsidian having to play nice again is actually funny. But with both of those in hand, Microsoft now owns 2 of the biggest pillars of the western RPG. I wonder if purchasing Bioware from EA, a studio of ex Bioware developers, or CD Projekt are next.
CD Projekt is Polish and they aren't exactly a tiny studio, I doubt they would fold into MS.
Bethesda isn't a tiny studio, either. The time where independent AAA game development studios operating independently without belonging to a massive corporation is coming to a pretty swift end.
And you're not scared of that? Since when are ultra big corps good news?
CDPR are who they are because they stand outside of the Cooperate rim of gaming, they are doing fine without suits influencing their hard and passionate work.
Fishing on Gilgamesh since 2013 Fishing on Bronzebeard since 2005 Fishing in RL since 1992 Born with a fishing rod in my hand in 1979
The idea of Bethesda and Obsidian having to play nice again is actually funny. But with both of those in hand, Microsoft now owns 2 of the biggest pillars of the western RPG. I wonder if purchasing Bioware from EA, a studio of ex Bioware developers, or CD Projekt are next.
CD Projekt is Polish and they aren't exactly a tiny studio, I doubt they would fold into MS.
I don't think it's likely, given how much they prize their independence and consumer image. But I also wouldn't call it impossible given Microsoft money.
Not only that, CDPR's stance against DRM will most likely keep them independent. MS has 2 of the biggest DRMs in the market now, W10 store and Gamepass. Didn't they surpass Ubisoft as the most valuable third party studio in the west? MS would probably try to get them. I hope nobody gets them.
My hope is that MS getting this company means that ESO will loose their employees that oversee the rather shady cash-shop pricing. Of course it could also mean it gets more shady.
Ms has a much more....fair? View on loot boxes then current ones. That much I know
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I remember when MS was the original "evil empire" of home computing. Now, it seems gamers everywhere are hailing them as a paragon.
In all honesty, for gamers they were never really an "evil empire" a la EA, ActiVision and 2K.
Microsoft has always maintained a hands off approach to their gaming studios. At most enforce some deadlines here and there, but never involved themselves creatively. Microsoft Game studios have full creative freedom. Unlike the true evil coorperations like EA, ActiVision and 2K who get intimitely involved in the development of their games to make sure they get maximum monetized with ingame Cash Shops and DLC packs.
Well, unless you were a Rare fan like my brother was. Then they're the devil incarnate.
You seriously have no clue as to how evil EA and Activision for example are.
Have you already forgotten about that report that leaked out a couple years ago that exposed ActiVision for having hired Phycology experts to help them optimize loot boxes and microtransactions in games to make them as addictive as possible and assess how far they can push these practices to a point what consumers would tolerate.
Or what about EA's SW:Battlefront 2 launch fiasco that caused a huge backlash and extensive media coverage about Micro transactions/loot boxes going too far?
Microsoft at least does none of that. They buy game studios they deem valuable for only two reasons.
1. To stay competitive against Sony, who does the same in the exclusives war. ( This is something I agree needs to stop... the whole exclusives thing )
2. To increase value of their GamePass service.
Unlike EA, ActiVision and 2K, who try to heavily monetize each game to maximum extend! Pissing off their own consumers. Microsoft takes a different approach and goes the route of GamePass with monthly subscription, which gives them a stable recurring income on longterm.
I don't know about you...but I like Microsoft's approach much better than the crap games from EA, ActiVision and 2K which are riddled with Microtransactions and expensive DLC packs on top of full retail price! Continuously pushing the limits to see how far they can go with these monetization practices!
My take on this is that its probably more about the release of the next gen consoles than anything else and actually a masterstroke by Microsoft in that context, given that the next ES instalment will undoubtedly be a massive driver for console sales, if its a Microsoft exclusive for the first year.
Well the positive difference with Microsoft is, that it will come to PC too at least. :P Unlike Sony who keeps their exclusive games solely on Playstation.
There can be only one!
And then there was one.
And all the game sucked.
And the prices were sky high.
And as soon as another indie company made something good it was swallowed up by the one.
And it was made into a milking cow by the one.
I remember the days when games were made by the gamers for the gamers. Now they are made by corporations for the accountants.
No fate but what we make, so make me a ham sandwich please.
The idea of Bethesda and Obsidian having to play nice again is actually funny. But with both of those in hand, Microsoft now owns 2 of the biggest pillars of the western RPG. I wonder if purchasing Bioware from EA, a studio of ex Bioware developers, or CD Projekt are next.
You are close.....
So, dad had his own thought. We wonder if me being "close" means that they aren't planning on buying Bioware from EA but rather just outright buying EA. I can't even imagine how expensive that deal would be. But this is Microsoft.
Maybe adding EA Play to Gamepass was just testing the waters.
I remember when MS was the original "evil empire" of home computing. Now, it seems gamers everywhere are hailing them as a paragon.
They still are they are just better at hiding it and conning people to think otherwise...having all these companies owned by MS is not a good thing in the long run as it will just serve as a way for MS to monopolize and force things to go their way.
Dare I say it windows 10 only, MS Store only games from companies coming soon. Just another way to force M$ monopoly into everyone's home...there's absolutely nothing altruistic about this.
End result of this, more conformity as Bethesda games become more like Microsofts, one gaming model to rule them all. Diversity is what gaming needs to keep it fresh, outside of indie we seem to have less of that each year.
Indeed!
Post edited by Asm0deus on
Brenics ~ Just to point out I do believe Chris Roberts is going down as the man who cheated backers and took down crowdfunding for gaming.
The idea of Bethesda and Obsidian having to play nice again is actually funny. But with both of those in hand, Microsoft now owns 2 of the biggest pillars of the western RPG. I wonder if purchasing Bioware from EA, a studio of ex Bioware developers, or CD Projekt are next.
CD Projekt is Polish and they aren't exactly a tiny studio, I doubt they would fold into MS.
I don't think it's likely, given how much they prize their independence and consumer image. But I also wouldn't call it impossible given Microsoft money.
Not sure what them being Polish has to do with it as the team now has studios now all over the world including US, Canada, England, Sweden and Japan but it is not CD Projekt.
Even if this does essentially result in Xbox being the western RPG console, I don't think that's necessarily bad for the consumer.
The western RPG and the JRPG are really different in terms of design philosophy. There is some audience overlap to be sure, but most are going to prefer one over the other.
Having the Playstation as the JRPG platform and the Xbox as the Western RPG platform is an interesting prospect. That's just each platform catering to its strengths and associations.
It's certainly better than say... back in the day when Americans only got to experience an inferior, content incomplete version of Tales of Vesperia (one of the most iconic JRPGs of all time) on the Xbox 360 with the content complete PS3 version not being localized until the remaster on current gen.
Even if this does essentially result in Xbox being the western RPG console, I don't think that's necessarily bad for the consumer.
The western RPG and the JRPG are really different in terms of design philosophy. There is some audience overlap to be sure, but most are going to prefer one over the other.
Having the Playstation as the JRPG platform and the Xbox as the Western RPG platform is an interesting prospect. That's just each platform catering to its strengths and associations.
It's certainly better than say... back in the day when Americans only got to experience an inferior, content incomplete version of Tales of Vesperia (one of the most iconic JRPGs of all time) on the Xbox 360 with the content complete PS3 version not being localized until the remaster on current gen.
It's unlikely, and who can really say it'll never happen, but why wouldn't Microsoft target some JRPG studios too? I mean, afterall, they were the ones who brought PSO2 to the west... and while SEGA is an iconic company, I could see a world where Microsoft scooped them up.
Who knows what else Microsoft has planned, really.
Even if this does essentially result in Xbox being the western RPG console, I don't think that's necessarily bad for the consumer.
The western RPG and the JRPG are really different in terms of design philosophy. There is some audience overlap to be sure, but most are going to prefer one over the other.
Having the Playstation as the JRPG platform and the Xbox as the Western RPG platform is an interesting prospect. That's just each platform catering to its strengths and associations.
It's certainly better than say... back in the day when Americans only got to experience an inferior, content incomplete version of Tales of Vesperia (one of the most iconic JRPGs of all time) on the Xbox 360 with the content complete PS3 version not being localized until the remaster on current gen.
It's unlikely, and who can really say it'll never happen, but why wouldn't Microsoft target some JRPG studios too? I mean, afterall, they were the ones who brought PSO2 to the west... and while SEGA is an iconic company, I could see a world where Microsoft scooped them up.
Who knows what else Microsoft has planned, really.
It's possible. But Microsoft has never really been able to make substantial headway into the Asian market. They've tried and it's just not worked for them.
Microsoft's new policy has been to not compete with Playstation but rather play its own game.
Also, PSO2 is notably an MMO (or an MMO-lite). Not exactly the kind of traditional JRPG that Sony so effectively corners.
Even if this does essentially result in Xbox being the western RPG console, I don't think that's necessarily bad for the consumer.
The western RPG and the JRPG are really different in terms of design philosophy. There is some audience overlap to be sure, but most are going to prefer one over the other.
Having the Playstation as the JRPG platform and the Xbox as the Western RPG platform is an interesting prospect. That's just each platform catering to its strengths and associations.
It's certainly better than say... back in the day when Americans only got to experience an inferior, content incomplete version of Tales of Vesperia (one of the most iconic JRPGs of all time) on the Xbox 360 with the content complete PS3 version not being localized until the remaster on current gen.
None of what you say here would be good for gamers in the long run unless you think what has happened to mmo's with the grand homogenization that has occurred is a good thing?
Can't say I agree with Tales of Vesperia being "one of the most iconic jrpg's of all time" either, I do not think it even makes my top 10, maybe the top 15.
I think maybe you have missed out on lots of jrpgs considering 2008 is "back in the day" for you so I am guessing that influences your opinion.
Brenics ~ Just to point out I do believe Chris Roberts is going down as the man who cheated backers and took down crowdfunding for gaming.
Even if this does essentially result in Xbox being the western RPG console, I don't think that's necessarily bad for the consumer.
The western RPG and the JRPG are really different in terms of design philosophy. There is some audience overlap to be sure, but most are going to prefer one over the other.
Having the Playstation as the JRPG platform and the Xbox as the Western RPG platform is an interesting prospect. That's just each platform catering to its strengths and associations.
It's certainly better than say... back in the day when Americans only got to experience an inferior, content incomplete version of Tales of Vesperia (one of the most iconic JRPGs of all time) on the Xbox 360 with the content complete PS3 version not being localized until the remaster on current gen.
It's unlikely, and who can really say it'll never happen, but why wouldn't Microsoft target some JRPG studios too? I mean, afterall, they were the ones who brought PSO2 to the west... and while SEGA is an iconic company, I could see a world where Microsoft scooped them up.
Who knows what else Microsoft has planned, really.
There is almost no chance in hell that any of the japanese companies would go against their own. They would have to be in dire financial trouble with zero other options. If MS wants to get into JRPG then they will have to make their own.
I think you underestimate greed. I'm sure presented with the right amount of profit it could happen. But what makes it unlikely has more to do with JRPGs are not as popular here in NA as they are in other countries.
Even if this does essentially result in Xbox being the western RPG console, I don't think that's necessarily bad for the consumer.
The western RPG and the JRPG are really different in terms of design philosophy. There is some audience overlap to be sure, but most are going to prefer one over the other.
Having the Playstation as the JRPG platform and the Xbox as the Western RPG platform is an interesting prospect. That's just each platform catering to its strengths and associations.
It's certainly better than say... back in the day when Americans only got to experience an inferior, content incomplete version of Tales of Vesperia (one of the most iconic JRPGs of all time) on the Xbox 360 with the content complete PS3 version not being localized until the remaster on current gen.
None of what you say here would be good for gamers in the long run unless you think what has happened to mmo's with the grand homogenization that has occurred is a good thing?
Can't say I agree with Tales of Vesperia being "one of the most iconic jrpg's of all time" either, I do not think it even makes my top 10, maybe the top 15.
I think maybe you have missed out on lots of jrpgs considering 2008 is "back in the day" for you so I am guessing that influences your opinion.
What happened to MMOs is literally the opposite of companies consolidating and playing to their strengths, so stop using it as an example. Everyone wanted a piece of the WoW pie and independently attempted to emulate it. The few western survivors we have today are those that notably did not just follow the leader.
I don't care what your list of the top 10 or top 15 entails. That's your list. Point being that Tales is one of the largest and most enduring JRPG franchises with Symphonia, Vesperia, and Abyss being the games that are most brought up as the peak of that series.
By the way, I have gone back to play some of those games I "missed out on." (I was plenty alive for them). I won't deny their legendary status, but they were very much games of their time. Games that would not exactly compare favorably to the best modern genre entries. Not unlike certain other rose-tinted games (caugh, Ocarina of Time, caugh).
Checking out the catalogue of games coming to Gamepass, which i use on the pc only, and the plethora of games there already, there will be (and already is) an incredible amount of triple A games which are going to be free!
7.5 billion is a drop in the bucket with the volume of players this is going to draw into their platforms xbox and pc. It's literally a no brainier must have subscription for a gamer, two games and you're already way ahead of what that would cost yearly.
My faith is my shield! - Turalyon 2022
Your legend ends here and now! - (Battles Won Long Ago)
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Microsoft could definitely make the buyout numbers work for them better with xbox, gamepass, etc.
Fishing on Gilgamesh since 2013
Fishing on Bronzebeard since 2005
Fishing in RL since 1992
Born with a fishing rod in my hand in 1979
Not only that, CDPR's stance against DRM will most likely keep them independent. MS has 2 of the biggest DRMs in the market now, W10 store and Gamepass. Didn't they surpass Ubisoft as the most valuable third party studio in the west? MS would probably try to get them. I hope nobody gets them.
Ms has a much more....fair? View on loot boxes then current ones. That much I know
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Have you already forgotten about that report that leaked out a couple years ago that exposed ActiVision for having hired Phycology experts to help them optimize loot boxes and microtransactions in games to make them as addictive as possible and assess how far they can push these practices to a point what consumers would tolerate.
Or what about EA's SW:Battlefront 2 launch fiasco that caused a huge backlash and extensive media coverage about Micro transactions/loot boxes going too far?
Microsoft at least does none of that. They buy game studios they deem valuable for only two reasons.
1. To stay competitive against Sony, who does the same in the exclusives war. ( This is something I agree needs to stop... the whole exclusives thing )
2. To increase value of their GamePass service.
Unlike EA, ActiVision and 2K, who try to heavily monetize each game to maximum extend! Pissing off their own consumers.
Microsoft takes a different approach and goes the route of GamePass with monthly subscription, which gives them a stable recurring income on longterm.
I don't know about you...but I like Microsoft's approach much better than the crap games from EA, ActiVision and 2K which are riddled with Microtransactions and expensive DLC packs on top of full retail price! Continuously pushing the limits to see how far they can go with these monetization practices!
And then there was one.
And all the game sucked.
And the prices were sky high.
And as soon as another indie company made something good it was swallowed up by the one.
And it was made into a milking cow by the one.
I remember the days when games were made by the gamers for the gamers. Now they are made by corporations for the accountants.
No fate but what we make, so make me a ham sandwich please.
Maybe adding EA Play to Gamepass was just testing the waters.
Brenics ~ Just to point out I do believe Chris Roberts is going down as the man who cheated backers and took down crowdfunding for gaming.
"Be water my friend" - Bruce Lee
since when zenimax and bethesda are good?
The western RPG and the JRPG are really different in terms of design philosophy. There is some audience overlap to be sure, but most are going to prefer one over the other.
Having the Playstation as the JRPG platform and the Xbox as the Western RPG platform is an interesting prospect. That's just each platform catering to its strengths and associations.
It's certainly better than say... back in the day when Americans only got to experience an inferior, content incomplete version of Tales of Vesperia (one of the most iconic JRPGs of all time) on the Xbox 360 with the content complete PS3 version not being localized until the remaster on current gen.
Who knows what else Microsoft has planned, really.
Microsoft's new policy has been to not compete with Playstation but rather play its own game.
Also, PSO2 is notably an MMO (or an MMO-lite). Not exactly the kind of traditional JRPG that Sony so effectively corners.
Brenics ~ Just to point out I do believe Chris Roberts is going down as the man who cheated backers and took down crowdfunding for gaming.
I don't care what your list of the top 10 or top 15 entails. That's your list. Point being that Tales is one of the largest and most enduring JRPG franchises with Symphonia, Vesperia, and Abyss being the games that are most brought up as the peak of that series.
By the way, I have gone back to play some of those games I "missed out on." (I was plenty alive for them). I won't deny their legendary status, but they were very much games of their time. Games that would not exactly compare favorably to the best modern genre entries. Not unlike certain other rose-tinted games (caugh, Ocarina of Time, caugh).