Microsoft just snagged Activision Blizzard for over 80 trillion won. That’s nearly ten times what they paid for ZeniMax (Bethesda) last year. Mind-blowing, right?
Honestly, I think Microsoft’s recent stability is all about their subscription model, driven by solid content and frameworks. Most folks might think of MS365, but their Game Pass has grown immensely over the years. This acquisition, along with last year’s Bethesda deal, is all about bolstering Game Pass with hefty content and shifting the battleground against Sony. 🎮
Some see this as laying the groundwork for the metaverse, but leveraging those chunky IPs with experts from other fields isn’t a piece of cake. An acquisition isn’t the same as hiring, after all. If that happened, gamers would probably rise up, right? Looking ahead, realistic Microsoft will likely continue finding business value in expanding the real world with augmented reality. Last year’s Mesh emphasized linking real-world business with augmented reality. Microsoft already has deep roots in the real-world business realm, unlike those SNS companies or startups eager to shake up the scene with a new platform.
The metaverse, which I think has turned into a marketing buzzword, started with games and will likely end there. Expectations for the metaverse, inflated by marketing, have surpassed what startups can deliver. Even if a platform is presented, the masses might end up disappointed. However, if we limit it to the gaming realm, adding a bit more to what’s known and slapping on the metaverse label wouldn’t seem out of place. 🎮✨
If Microsoft shares the same vision, this 80 trillion won deal could kickstart their work on making the metaverse concept a reality in gaming. Who knows how things will unfold? But if the metaverse becomes the main framework, I believe humanity might end up unhappier, so I’m cheering for Microsoft over the metaverse. By the way, it’d be great if Microsoft could stabilize the supply of XBOX Series X… 😉
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