Nov 09, 2020 12:24:00

Is Microsoft looking to acquire a Japanese game development studio?

Microsoft's next-generation game machine '

Xbox Series X ' to be released on November 10, 2020 (Tuesday) has been banned from review immediately, and although the hardware performance is highly evaluated, 'Xbox exclusive titles are few There are many negative views on 'the lack of titles optimized for Xbox Series X.' Meanwhile, Bloomberg reported that Microsoft is considering acquiring a Japanese game development studio to increase the number of exclusive Xbox titles.

Microsoft Sets Sights on Sony's Home Turf in Game Console Clash --Bloomberg
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-11-07/microsoft-sets-sights-on-sony-s-home-turf-in-game-console-clash

Microsoft is seeking acquisitions of 'small to big' Japanese development studios --Eurogamer.net
https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-11-08-microsoft-is-seeking-small-to-big-acquisitions-of-japanese-development-studios

Bloomberg reports that several Japanese-based game development studios have been inquired by Microsoft about the acquisition. The game development studio that provided the information to Bloomberg didn't reveal its name, nor did it reveal the details of the deal.

When Bloomberg contacted Microsoft, Geoffrey Hinton, who is responsible for Xbox's Asia region, said, 'Microsoft always accepts discussions with the right creators,' but declined to comment on the acquisition details. ..

Hideki Yasuda of the Tokyo-based Ace Economic Research Institute said, 'Xbox can make Japan the second market after the United States if appropriate measures can be taken in the next few years.' 'Microsoft is Sony. It's not possible to quickly gain the second position in Japan (after Nintendo), but at least it's starting to change. Big tides always start with small changes, 'said Microsoft. He said that Japan could grow into a market that occupies a large position for Xbox.

Kazunori Ito, an analyst at

Morning Star , also said, 'It is an analyst's consensus that PlayStation is no longer focusing on the Japanese market,' and pointed out that Sony is not focusing on the Japanese market under the PlayStation brand. However, he said that there is a chance that Xbox will enter the Japanese market.

In addition, Digital Foundry , an analytics division of overseas game media Eurogamer.net, said, 'In the end, I think Microsoft provided an excellent next-generation system called Xbox Series X. However, many Xbox Series X are available at the time of launch. 'Maybe it doesn't take advantage of it.' 'And one of the reasons Xbox Series X doesn't take advantage of it is the lack of first-party titles.'