Rumors are swirlingof another massive Microsoft acquisition on par with the recent Bethesda purchase.
Better yet, lets break down the possibilities into three simple categories: pragmatic, curve-ball, and ridiculous.
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Next up are Take-Two and Ubisoft.
Lets start with these.
EA and Activision are intriguing, but ultimately a long shot.
But the company being purchasedusuallyhas to want to sell.
Both are highly profitable and theres no reason to believe thats going to change anytime soon.
That leaves Take-Two and Ubisoft.
Microsoft could could conceivably gobble up Ubisoft for somewhere around what it paid for Bethesda.
Take-Two, on the other hand, would likely costa lotmore.
Bethesdas worth about $3 billion right now and MS paid 7.5 for it.
Thats not beyond the scope of reality, but it sure is pushing it.
Heres a few curve-balls though
Square-Enix looks like a juicy fruit thats ripe for the picking.
Sonys the obvious choice, but Microsofts war chest is bigger.
But you know what feels even more likely?
A CD Projekt Red buyout.
And then theres Sega.
The former console makers struggled to find a foothold in the modern gaming era.
Considering the glut of Sega games currently on Game Pass, this doesnt seem too far-fetched.
Now, some ridiculousness
Lets just say it okay?
So why not really go for it and gobble up a direct competitor such as Sony or Nintendo.
Or go even bigger: grab the makers ofFortniteand the Epic gaming engine.
All three scenarios are wild, wacky, and just out-there enough to make sense.
The console wars are officially over in 2028 when the Microsoft PlayStation 6 hits the markets.
Conspiracy theory number three:Microsoft buys Epic… something, something… profit?
I cant imagine a scenario where Epic would sell, so this one makes the least sense to me.
But the chances are probably better well see a smaller studio get snatched up.
Paradox Interactives had a bit of a tough time as of late withVampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2gettingdelayed indefinitely.
And itsCEO recently stepped downover differing views on company strategy.
An acquisition that gave Microsoft control over the Steam platform would certainly shake the industry up.
It doesnt seem likely, but neither did the Bethesda acquisition until it happened.
What do you think?
