Xbox Rumors and Speculation

I have a feeling The Coalition is up to something.. Even The Intitiative is rumored to be working on multiple projects.

What if the rumored Perfect Dark really is a true [The Coalition X The Initiative] collab, not just multiplayer and one of many to follow.

I know the XGS are just sharing knowledge but these collabs would be pretty amazing, if they'd also include XGS Publishing partners.

inXile X Team Ninja
Team Ninja X The Coalition
Rare X Moon Studios
Obsidian X Dontnod
 
I have a feeling The Coalition is up to something.. Even The Intitiative is rumored to be working on multiple projects.

What if the rumored Perfect Dark really is a true [The Coalition X The Initiative] collab, not just multiplayer and one of many to follow.

I know the XGS are just sharing knowledge but these collabs would be pretty amazing, if they'd also include XGS Publishing partners.

inXile X Team Ninja
Team Ninja X The Coalition
Rare X Moon Studios
Obsidian X Dontnod
Well, do you think The Coalition would take years off before Gears 6 to make a new game?
 
Well, do you think The Coalition would take years off before Gears 6 to make a new game?

I don't know. If they're doing Gears 5 DLC and PD Multiplayer why not other apsects of the game.

No

But they really should move on after 6. Series needs a long break and its not worth them being stuck on it forever.

I love Gears. I don't want them to end the franchise.

I enjoyed Gears 5, a lot. But if Gears 6 never came out and they moved on, I wouldn't lose any sleep.

I don't think anyone is hungry for 6. It would be better If they did a collab or other IP and gave 6 some time.
 
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I love Gears. I don't want them to end the franchise.

I don't think it needs to end but if they are going to continue it they would really need to reinvent it in some way. It is getting stale and I don't think they are likely to top the quality of the first 3.
 


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Just as an aside, Microsoft's fiscal year began in July. That's only a few weeks ago. That's relevant because 2019 was one of Microsoft's highest acquisition fiscal years. When you spend so much in one year (Github), it may push other potential purchases into the new fiscal year when they have a new budget. Now is good purchase season for companies sitting on lots of cash on hand like Microsoft. Transition period for gaming is also when you have a chance to get your moves noticed and have more impact in mindshare.

I'm not convinced WB will get done because they are a publisher with a lot of things Microsoft doesn't want to take on...but I would expect some aggression very soon. Would be surprised if we don't hear things within the next few weeks.
 
Microsoft's end of year reports came out today. Content and services were way up and ahead of predictions:

Gaming revenue jumped 64%, or $1.3B, in Q4 of 2020.

Mostly Content & Services, though HW did gain 49% YoY.

Implies almost $11.6B in sales for the past year from Xbox division, its 2nd best trailing annual result ever.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said "it was simply a breakthrough quarter for gaming" for Microsoft. "Xbox Game Pass is seeing record subscriber growth across console and PC."


Amy Hood also mentioned that Microsoft is actively seeking strategic acquisitions. Strategic investments are the types of purchases that don't need to pay themselves back short term. They are meant to position the company for the future. These types of expenditures leverage the great times to manage long term risk by diversifying the business. It's clear based on everything Nadella and Hood are saying that gaming is emerging as that type of business.

What I think this means:
  • Xbox is ahead of schedule and the Microsoft investors are being sold the business of gaming by Nadella (which is a hell of a lot different than Spencer telling gamers things are great) so....
    • More studios are coming
    • The multiplayer paywall has it's best chance to come down right now
 
Microsoft's end of year reports came out today. Content and services were way up and ahead of predictions:

Gaming revenue jumped 64%, or $1.3B, in Q4 of 2020.

Mostly Content & Services, though HW did gain 49% YoY.

Implies almost $11.6B in sales for the past year from Xbox division, its 2nd best trailing annual result ever.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said "it was simply a breakthrough quarter for gaming" for Microsoft. "Xbox Game Pass is seeing record subscriber growth across console and PC."


Amy Hood also mentioned that Microsoft is actively seeking strategic acquisitions. Strategic investments are the types of purchases that don't need to pay themselves back short term. They are meant to position the company for the future. These types of expenditures leverage the great times to manage long term risk by diversifying the business. It's clear based on everything Nadella and Hood are saying that gaming is emerging as that type of business.

What I think this means:
  • Xbox is ahead of schedule and the Microsoft investors are being sold the business of gaming by Nadella (which is a hell of a lot different than Spencer telling gamers things are great) so....
    • More studios are coming
    • The multiplayer paywall has it's best chance to come down right now
I seriously think they may pull the trigger in WB. Not even joking...
 


This is looking really good. Getting more and more interested in what Bloober could do with funding. Really impressed considering it's still a small budget game.

I seriously think they may pull the trigger in WB. Not even joking...

Rumor has gained a lot of smoke so you might not be wrong. It's just a move that clashes with so many things which is why I keep betting against it. If they get WB, I feel like they have to hold off on everything else for awhile. Not due to cost but rather due to the amount of time and attention it would take to sort that purchase out. Don't think they could leave them operate per usual like a lot of the other purchases.

Other studios to pay attention to:
  • IOI - Microsoft supposedly approached them previously but the breaking point is they wanted to keep working on Hitman. Once they release another Hitman that is a commercial failure, look for Microsoft to try again.
  • Asobo - Already have a 10 year deal with Microsoft for Flight Sim. Their 2nd team, the Plague Tale team, is a diamond in the rough.
  • Bloober - Microsoft wants a studio headquarters in Poland. Bloober is in Poland. They have some good creatives as a base.
  • Bungie - Phil has a man crush and good relationship with Jason Jones. Destiny could be left multiplat with DLC free to Game Pass. Also Bungie is working on another new IP which could be Xbox platform exclusive. I also expect at least one more expensive purchase if WB doesn't go down.
  • Tecmo - No smoke. Just pulling a Japanese studio with IP out of my ass. Tecmo is a small Japanese publisher that resonates well with OG Xbox and early 360 gamers.
 
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I want to watch the trailers in 4K before I comment.

I was very unimpressed with Sonys show before viewing the show properly, then came away much more impressed after.
 
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