Analyst: Microsoft Studios Will Continue Acquisitions, Next Xbox Will Likely Have VR - News
by William D'Angelo , posted on 01 March 2019 / 4,006 Views
Microsoft at E3 2018 and the Xbox X018 event announced it had acquired developers Obsidian Entertainment, inXile Entertainment, Undead Labs, Playground Games, Ninja Theory, and Compulsion. IDC Analyst Lewis Ward speaking with GamingBolt that Microsoft is not done acquiring developers.
"Well Microsoft doesn’t still have as large a game developer base as either Sony or Nintendo even after these acquisitions, as far as I can tell. This is a signal that Microsoft wants to put out more exclusives for Win10 devices moving forward and we’ll likely see more acquisitions as they continue to bolster their first party lineup by plugging “holes” in genres and subgenres they think will grow relatively quickly over time," said Ward.
Ward continued saying that the next generation Xbox will have virtual reality support.
"Microsoft wants to be more of enabler for other Win10-based hardware and software providers," he added. "There’s no reason Xbox One X can’t play Windows Mixed Reality games right now. I’m not sure why Microsoft hasn’t pulled that trigger on that, but they’ll very likely be in this space with their next-gen console. The bottom line is that while a lot of people are still down on VR, I expect 2018 global spending on off-the-shelf software, which is primarily games, on all platforms (consoles, PCs and mobile devices), to roughly double up 2017’s spending total, and wind up in the $1 billion range this year."
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel dedicated to gaming Let's Plays and tutorials. You can contact the author at wdangelo@vgchartz.com or on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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They should buy Bethesda and call it a day.
VR is a no brainer.. i just see them allowing Oculus Rift usable on the next Xbox rather than design there own headset. I want illumi Room!
I would respect Microsoft a great deal for such a ballsy move of making a VR-based console, but that means it might also fail, hard. VR is a saturated, a smaller niche, and also fractured - with mobile manufacturers winning. It will be a battle if one of our console manufacturers jumps in and tries to take the market... It might go the way of the Windows Phone, or it could be the next NES. Why I respect the move is because Microsoft will be making a unique product rather than a another run of the mill TV box hook-up with a vanilla controller ergonomically designed for people with fragile hands and paper-thin skin.
MS should pick up Moon Studios, one of the most talented companies going around. They would fit in perfectly into the Live Eco-System.
I'm surprised they haven't bought them yet.
I just hope they don't plan on buying up any more PC based studios. I like my games on the storefront and system they are on thank ye.
You are going to love using the Windows Store.
Their PC focused studios still put games on Steam... sometimes.
Sadly, the PC devs are the best target for MS.
Since an analyst said them MS won't buy any new studios nor will have VR next gen.
They promised it this gen and didn't release, without they saying anything and the analyst is certain....
FWIW Matt just confirmed that VR for X1X was de-prioritized, and that that decision has had a lasting effect on MS's views on VR for the future. Seems like there's a good chance that next generation XB won't support VR
They've shown great interest in the combination of VR and AR. Which is exactly what they SHOULD be doing. I'm sure whatever the peripheral is, it will be manufactured by MS. But again and it's no secret, they need to establish an in house 1st party studio. They can't get away with out one, forever.
Want VR to succeed, include a headset with your future console for every SKU. Won't happen though.
Any plans for new Halo, oh wise soothsayer?
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