People that are complaining that this is some sort of end for any of the brands really isn't seeing this thing in the proper light. It's not the end for anything. When the Blizzard/Activision merger happened that was much worse than this as most of those franchises on both sides languished and became worse over the years. M$ at least has a track record since their earlier missteps with allowing the companies they buy out to maintain some sort of autonomy and just infused them with a better foundation so they can improve. Minecraft has done nothing but improve under them and Bethesda is looking good so far and I think this new expansion they will be announcing is just the first of further improvements. Time will tell, but I think M$ has a better understanding of what gamers want and I would rather Phil be making decisions over the clowns at Act/Blizz.
My experience has shown me that Microsoft is good for games.
People that are complaining that this is some sort of end for any of the brands really isn't seeing this thing in the proper light. It's not the end for anything. When the Blizzard/Activision merger happened that was much worse than this as most of those franchises on both sides languished and became worse over the years. M$ at least has a track record since their earlier missteps with allowing the companies they buy out to maintain some sort of autonomy and just infused them with a better foundation so they can improve. Minecraft has done nothing but improve under them and Bethesda is looking good so far and I think this new expansion they will be announcing is just the first of further improvements. Time will tell, but I think M$ has a better understanding of what gamers want and I would rather Phil be making decisions over the clowns at Act/Blizz.
My experience has shown me that Microsoft is good for games.
I think some of us older folks still recall the bad old days when Microsoft closed Earth and Beyond, punted Vanguard to the curb and a few other bad memories, at least in the MMORPG space.
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
People that are complaining that this is some sort of end for any of the brands really isn't seeing this thing in the proper light. It's not the end for anything. When the Blizzard/Activision merger happened that was much worse than this as most of those franchises on both sides languished and became worse over the years. M$ at least has a track record since their earlier missteps with allowing the companies they buy out to maintain some sort of autonomy and just infused them with a better foundation so they can improve. Minecraft has done nothing but improve under them and Bethesda is looking good so far and I think this new expansion they will be announcing is just the first of further improvements. Time will tell, but I think M$ has a better understanding of what gamers want and I would rather Phil be making decisions over the clowns at Act/Blizz.
My experience has shown me that Microsoft is good for games.
I think some of us older folks still recall the bad old days when Microsoft closed Earth and Beyond, punted Vanguard to the curb and a few other bad memories, at least in the MMORPG space.
Microsoft did everything they could for Vanguard. I’ll put that one squarely on Brad
edit: heck I think I was in the beta for over 2 1/2 years
People that are complaining that this is some sort of end for any of the brands really isn't seeing this thing in the proper light. It's not the end for anything. When the Blizzard/Activision merger happened that was much worse than this as most of those franchises on both sides languished and became worse over the years. M$ at least has a track record since their earlier missteps with allowing the companies they buy out to maintain some sort of autonomy and just infused them with a better foundation so they can improve. Minecraft has done nothing but improve under them and Bethesda is looking good so far and I think this new expansion they will be announcing is just the first of further improvements. Time will tell, but I think M$ has a better understanding of what gamers want and I would rather Phil be making decisions over the clowns at Act/Blizz.
My experience has shown me that Microsoft is good for games.
I think some of us older folks still recall the bad old days when Microsoft closed Earth and Beyond, punted Vanguard to the curb and a few other bad memories, at least in the MMORPG space.
No amount of sense or reasoning is going to sway people convinced a couple of overbudget go nowhere projects got shafted when in fact they probably should have been shuttered long before they were.
Vanguard is a perfect example. Even after all the money and time Sony put into them the project still wasn't popular. That wasn't Microsoft's fault. It was a game very few people wanted to play and couldn't justify the operating and development expense it needed.
If people are going to make their assessment on some ancient history then they're going to do that. Most people can look around them and see what is happening now though.
What seems more relevant is how studios are faring now? If the acquisition is as bad as you're inferring then wouldn't we see evidence of that in games they've recently acquired, like say ESO? So the question is, are you going to make that judgement based on things that happened 15 years ago or how things are in the very game you're playing right now? What makes more sense?
I was in beta when MS was still the publisher. The world in Vanguard was very empty at that time.
I'm curious if a big part of the acquisition isn't due to King and the desire to position itself better for mobile. With Take2 recently acquiring Zynga for the same purpose it sort of clicked that this might be a big value add for Microsoft.
What I haven't seen mentioned in the user thread on the same topic is Xbox is also now acquiring a huge installed user base which can only be good for the gaming division.
Most of ABK is pretty meh to me, at least on first impression. I had really hoped this was going to be an EA buyout because their library fits the Xbox GamePass portfolio so well and EA Play is already included in the GamePass subscription. It would have been a perfect fit with a lot less baggage, but that's just from my outsider gamer view.
Go go GamePass!!
It has nothing to do with mobile; Microsoft has long-term vision for entertainment: cloud gaming, Game Pass, Xbox and PC.
Some morons have more money than brains, not only that but it is amazing to me how people think this buy out was a good thing. Seems funny to me as well that a shitty company would be able to sell during multiple lawsuits and why Microsoft would want to be a part of that. Monopoly anyone.
Watch the tone change real quick about this here when they announce those sweet nft's LOL
People here obv not aware of Minecraft nft and MS close relationship with the company(Enjin) that can make game assets into nft but you folks take all the time you need to figure that one out...
Last week - "NFT are bad!"
This week - "Only/first AAA to company to add nft option to their most popular game buys other AAA company with multiple IP is great!"
Makes sense though... no better way to get the average gamer comfortable to the idea of nft than use some of the most popular IP's to accomplish that goal.
See this for what it is which is AAA industry strategy vs indie nft/p2e/crypto games and a very good one IMO. Consolidate a bunch of popular IP under one roof... Introduce nft/p2e to the game masses preventing them from ever having to search elsewhere thus destroying any future chance of an indie ever competing with them. Offer lots of free stuff that indie cannot/throw money when needed at players. Well done AAA, well done.
First, Activision was like whew, they bought our dumpster fire.
Second, this acquisition needs to be blocked. Activision is the #1 pc game IP in the U.S. With Bethesda and activision, microsoft will own most major IPs.
The more I try to digest this, the more I want to throw up. Basically, the net worth of the executives at Activision Blizzard was plummeting as the stock was falling over sexual harassment claims. Microsoft, owned by none other than Bill "Fly me to Epstein Isle" Gates, swoops in and gives them a 25% boost to their money.
The more I try to digest this, the more I want to throw up. Basically, the net worth of the executives at Activision Blizzard was plummeting as the stock was falling over sexual harassment claims. Microsoft, owned by none other than Bill "Fly me to Epstein Isle" Gates, swoops in and gives them a 25% boost to their money.
Don't be foolish. Vanguard and Blackrock control both Microsoft and Activision in the shadows. Nothing has really changed. They were likely ordered to buy it regardless if it was a good investment or not.
Even the concept of ANTI-trust fades away as these already to-big bloated obscenities grow-and-grow like the very rampant cancers they are. Ah, necrotic-stage-"capitalism" it's wonders to behold!
First, Activision was like whew, they bought our dumpster fire.
Second, this acquisition needs to be blocked. Activision is the #1 pc game IP in the U.S. With Bethesda and activision, microsoft will own most major IPs.
but.., but.., that's the very essence of necrotic-stage-"capitalism" surely you're not speaking ill of it!?!
People that are complaining that this is some sort of end for any of the brands really isn't seeing this thing in the proper light. It's not the end for anything. When the Blizzard/Activision merger happened that was much worse than this as most of those franchises on both sides languished and became worse over the years. M$ at least has a track record since their earlier missteps with allowing the companies they buy out to maintain some sort of autonomy and just infused them with a better foundation so they can improve. Minecraft has done nothing but improve under them and Bethesda is looking good so far and I think this new expansion they will be announcing is just the first of further improvements. Time will tell, but I think M$ has a better understanding of what gamers want and I would rather Phil be making decisions over the clowns at Act/Blizz.
My experience has shown me that Microsoft is good for games.
I think some of us older folks still recall the bad old days when Microsoft closed Earth and Beyond, punted Vanguard to the curb and a few other bad memories, at least in the MMORPG space.
"saint" bill gates isn't fooling me, I remember who he is now and has always been. His "re-branding" as some "sainted" philanthropist is nothing but kabuki.
People that are complaining that this is some sort of end for any of the brands really isn't seeing this thing in the proper light. It's not the end for anything. When the Blizzard/Activision merger happened that was much worse than this as most of those franchises on both sides languished and became worse over the years. M$ at least has a track record since their earlier missteps with allowing the companies they buy out to maintain some sort of autonomy and just infused them with a better foundation so they can improve. Minecraft has done nothing but improve under them and Bethesda is looking good so far and I think this new expansion they will be announcing is just the first of further improvements. Time will tell, but I think M$ has a better understanding of what gamers want and I would rather Phil be making decisions over the clowns at Act/Blizz.
My experience has shown me that Microsoft is good for games.
I think some of us older folks still recall the bad old days when Microsoft closed Earth and Beyond, punted Vanguard to the curb and a few other bad memories, at least in the MMORPG space.
"saint" bill gates isn't fooling me, I remember who he is now and has always been. His "re-branding" as some "sainted" philanthropist is nothing but kabuki.
Isn't he the guy that bailed out Apple and saved it from going bankrupt?
I think he said he did it because he believed that competition was a good thing.
People that are complaining that this is some sort of end for any of the brands really isn't seeing this thing in the proper light. It's not the end for anything. When the Blizzard/Activision merger happened that was much worse than this as most of those franchises on both sides languished and became worse over the years. M$ at least has a track record since their earlier missteps with allowing the companies they buy out to maintain some sort of autonomy and just infused them with a better foundation so they can improve. Minecraft has done nothing but improve under them and Bethesda is looking good so far and I think this new expansion they will be announcing is just the first of further improvements. Time will tell, but I think M$ has a better understanding of what gamers want and I would rather Phil be making decisions over the clowns at Act/Blizz.
My experience has shown me that Microsoft is good for games.
I think some of us older folks still recall the bad old days when Microsoft closed Earth and Beyond, punted Vanguard to the curb and a few other bad memories, at least in the MMORPG space.
And both of those were at the very best mediocre. Vanguard was the worst. Yes yes, it had "amazing ideas", yet they were purely implemented and not by MS but by the Devs.
Blaming a Publishing company over Devs mistakes is bad.
If the game was good, it would of shine under Sony...but it wasn't. The game was garbage.
Reporter: What's behind Blizzard success, and how do you make your gamers happy? Blizzard Boss: Making gamers happy is not my concern, making money.. yes!
First, Activision was like whew, they bought our dumpster fire.
Second, this acquisition needs to be blocked. Activision is the #1 pc game IP in the U.S. With Bethesda and activision, microsoft will own most major IPs.
Now combined, it will be $20 billion. They will still be second place in the world behind Sony. So there is no "anti-trust" to begin with.
Reporter: What's behind Blizzard success, and how do you make your gamers happy? Blizzard Boss: Making gamers happy is not my concern, making money.. yes!
First, Activision was like whew, they bought our dumpster fire.
Second, this acquisition needs to be blocked. Activision is the #1 pc game IP in the U.S. With Bethesda and activision, microsoft will own most major IPs.
As if WoW can get any worse... The game has been dead garbage since around 2010. WoW private servers running Vanilla, TBC and WoTLK are doing a better job than Activision and are thriving compared to the garbage you have to pay to rent every month. This change will not affect it in any way. Just like Microsoft buying Bethesda doesn't mean anything for TES 6 - Todd Howard will not stop until there is a Skyrim Extraordinary Thermostat Edition. And then he will find a way to make the game playable on non-electronic devices such as a 1800s pot belly stove.
Comments
This. Absolutely. I see nothing but positives from a gamer's perspective. More titles to enjoy with my Ultimate sub!
"Be water my friend" - Bruce Lee
"True friends stab you in the front." | Oscar Wilde
"I need to finish" - Christian Wolff: The Accountant
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
Probably the only thing that could save it. It's been mismanaged AF in recent years and fallen far from the greatness it once was.
edit: heck I think I was in the beta for over 2 1/2 years
"Be water my friend" - Bruce Lee
"Be water my friend" - Bruce Lee
The problem was management and MS knew it.
"Be water my friend" - Bruce Lee
It has nothing to do with mobile; Microsoft has long-term vision for entertainment: cloud gaming, Game Pass, Xbox and PC.
Smart move considering Act/Blizz's legal/political troubles.
See this for what it is which is AAA industry strategy vs indie nft/p2e/crypto games and a very good one IMO. Consolidate a bunch of popular IP under one roof... Introduce nft/p2e to the game masses preventing them from ever having to search elsewhere thus destroying any future chance of an indie ever competing with them. Offer lots of free stuff that indie cannot/throw money when needed at players. Well done AAA, well done.
Second, this acquisition needs to be blocked. Activision is the #1 pc game IP in the U.S. With Bethesda and activision, microsoft will own most major IPs.
but.., but.., that's the very essence of necrotic-stage-"capitalism" surely you're not speaking ill of it!?!
"saint" bill gates isn't fooling me, I remember who he is now and has always been. His "re-branding" as some "sainted" philanthropist is nothing but kabuki.
I think he said he did it because he believed that competition was a good thing.
"Be water my friend" - Bruce Lee
Blaming a Publishing company over Devs mistakes is bad.
If the game was good, it would of shine under Sony...but it wasn't. The game was garbage.
Reporter: What's behind Blizzard success, and how do you make your gamers happy?
Blizzard Boss: Making gamers happy is not my concern, making money.. yes!
https://www.alltopeverything.com/top-10-biggest-video-game-companies/
Now combined, it will be $20 billion. They will still be second place in the world behind Sony. So there is no "anti-trust" to begin with.
Reporter: What's behind Blizzard success, and how do you make your gamers happy?
Blizzard Boss: Making gamers happy is not my concern, making money.. yes!
Probably, that is why I said "#1 pc game IP in the U.S.". Apples and oranges matter. Sony is not pc or U.S.
As if WoW can get any worse... The game has been dead garbage since around 2010. WoW private servers running Vanilla, TBC and WoTLK are doing a better job than Activision and are thriving compared to the garbage you have to pay to rent every month. This change will not affect it in any way. Just like Microsoft buying Bethesda doesn't mean anything for TES 6 - Todd Howard will not stop until there is a Skyrim Extraordinary Thermostat Edition. And then he will find a way to make the game playable on non-electronic devices such as a 1800s pot belly stove.