Microsoft just bought out Activision, combining the company’s resources. This will be the world’s largest publisher. What does this mean for the gaming industry in general? It means that we’re going to see an increase in graphics and game content, giving you the players a better experience.
Is this good or bad for the industry?
Since the announcement of the Activision Blizzard merger with Microsoft, gamers and gaming industry pundits have been up in arms debating whether this is a good or bad thing for the industry. The answer, as with most things, is it depends.
On the one hand, the merger could lead to new opportunities for gamers, as the two companies pool their resources to create innovative gaming experiences. On the other hand, it could lead to a monopolization of the industry. But if you think about it, Sony has been doing this for years since the PS2 era. Even in this generation, Sony got Streetfighter 5 and Shenmue to be PS4 exclusives with hardly any outrage from the community. Not to mention the countless other deals possibly made under the table.
I hate monopolies, this is hardly one. Microsoft bought a game studio to strengthen its IPS and exclusives just like Sony and Nintendo. Gamefreak made a deal with Nintendo, where is Pokemon on PlayStation, PC and Xbox? Sony fanboys need to calm down and realize that sooner or later other companies will start doing what Sony has been doing for years.
Will gamers benefit at the end? Could Microsoft breathe new life into Call of duty the way it did to Gears of War? Or will it be more of the same as Minecraft? Only time will tell.