Microsoft Looking At Acquiring Tomb Raider And 007 Studios
We're shaken (and stirred) by the latest news - with Microsoft apparently trialling a number of major studios ahead of a potential purchase. Sony just signed on the dotted line to acquire Demon's Souls' Bluepoint Games, and keen not to be outdone, Microsoft could add three big names to its own growing roster.
While Nintendo does its own thing in Hyrule and the Mushroom Kingdom, Microsoft and Sony are duking it out with their own first-party games. Until recently, it seemed Sony had its biggest rival licked thanks to the likes of Marvel's Spider-Man, Horizon, and God of War, Microsoft pulled the rug from beneath us all when it bought Bethesda overseer, ZeniMax Media.
What studios are Microsoft looking at buying?
There are a terrific trio of studios up for grabs, with GamesBeat's Jeff Grubb claiming Crystal Dynamics, IO Interactive, and Avalanche are all being "trialled" by Microsoft ahead of a potential purchase. For those who don't know, Crystal Dynamics is best-known for the Tomb Raider reboot series and last year's divisive Marvel's Avengers. IO Interactive has Hitman on its belt, and Avalanche just launched DEATHLOOP as a PlayStation exclusive.
Speaking on his Grubb Snax podcast, Grubb explained, "I think that’s where [Xbox] is at right now. Where they’re happy with what they have so they can pump the brakes a little bit and then say 'okay, let’s take a look around - see what we can purchase.'" He then went on to mention the above as possible acquisitions.
"Maybe that's where you go and say okay let's bring Crystal Dynamics to work on this game with The Initiative. Let's get to know them, see how it works, see how they play out and if they meet our standards. Then we'll say, 'Hey Square Enix, are you interested in selling Crystal Dynamics?'"
Of course, these rumoured trials are far from confirmation from Phil Spencer that Microsoft is about to gobble these smaller studios for a bright future of Xbox exclusives. Still, it's a tempting prospect to mull over.
What is Microsoft planning for the future?
Namely, the Bethesda deal is something of a landmark move. It means we've got previously announced Microsoft staples like Fable and Halo Infinite will be joined by Starfield, Redfield, and The Elder Scrolls 6 - well, whenever that releases. We know there's been talk about the future of Tomb Raider, but it would be a cruel twist of fate if the once PS-exclusive Ms. Croft parted ways and found herself locked to the Xbox.
Crystal Dynamics is already "on loan" to Microsoft for the Perfect Dark reboot, but what if it becomes a more permanent affair? As for IO, we know there's the much-hyped Project 007. We haven't had a good Bond game in years, and even though it's probably not that canned GoldenEye 007 remaster, there's plenty of potential in the suave spy's return to console.
Trialling studios is all well and good, but it's hard to imagine Square Enix selling one of its biggest studios. Either way, it sounds like Microsoft is once again on the hunt for its next big acquisitions. The question is, will there be anything left for Sony to buy?
