The gaming started from two huge acquisitions. First, Microsoft announced their deal with Activision Blizzard for an unimaginable $68.7 billion.
Then Sony decided to make their move and announced the successful completion of the deal to acquire Bungie for $3.6 billion. Ironically, the studio became renowned for creating the exclusive Halo series shooters on Xbox. Bungie is now busy supporting Destiny 2, one of its most popular games.
With both business moves, the future of the eSport events is under scrutiny: how Microsoft will handle the tournaments on the Sony consoles is a big question.
In the bookmakers’ world, although all bets are still up on the trusted websites of the https://bookmaker-ratings.com/, there are some worries. It seems that Microsoft will release all future games of the acquired studios and handle exclusivity as it sees fit. However, Xbox representatives immediately said that they would respect the existing commitments. Nobody knows what will happen when those will expire, though.
Such expensive deals have resulted in many journalists’ investigations and plans for the future of the acquired franchises. Reporters have even asked Nintendo executives whether fans should expect such big deals from the developer. Shuntaro Furukawa admitted that he wasn’t sure, as all the studios making games for their company have some sort of “Nintendo DNA.”
However, please don’t dismiss the idea that we will still see similar mergers in the video game industry in the future. Here are two major companies that could join up with some of the big three.
Sega
Major franchises:
Sonic The Hedgehog (Sonic Team)
This is going to sound crazy, but we think that with proper management, this mascot is the only one capable of fighting the power of Mario in the video game market. Right now, sadly, only rare and timid management moves, like the official release of a Sega-branded fan game, speak of attempts to promote the Blue Hedgehog.
Megami Tensei / Persona (Atlus)
Persona began as a simple spin-off of this series but evolved into a standalone with a respective fanbase. The combat system in both games is turn-based, and the main gimmick is attracting enemies to your squad and then summoning them onto the battlefield.
Yakuza (RGG STUDIO)
The action RPG series about a Japanese criminal gang has been around for 17 years and has ten parts already, not counting the numerous spin-offs. Fans love this game for its elaborate combat system, atmosphere, and multiple side quests. The main positive of Yakuza remains the addictive story that makes gamers buy new installments and endure old assets appearing repeatedly.
ConclusioN
It’s hard to gauge the company’s results as a whole: Sega has several gaming divisions, and they’ve been showing themselves in very different ways lately. We’re not talking about pachinko, but specific game series handled by expert teams within the parent studio.
Financial problems have been dragging on since 2020 when Sega had to go through massive layoffs. The situation is being rectified now, but the major games are not showing the desired sales figures.
The acquisition of Sega could be a big boost for either company in the console war. The most important thing here is the fight for the Japanese market, where Sony and Microsoft are currently losing out to Nintendo without a chance. The difficulty for Xbox bosses could be the difference in mentality, and companies like Atlus would instead work with Sony if they have a choice.
Konami
Major franchises:
Castlevania
It happens very rarely, but this game was the beginning of its sub-genre, which now has many copies and fans worldwide. Unexpected obstacles along the way constantly pique the player’s interest. Hurdles can only be overcome over time, gaining a specific skill and carefully exploring the world in which the gamer has got.
Contra
One of the shoot ’em up genre’s progenitors gained frenzied popularity after its release on the NES consoles. Now abandoned.
Metal Gear
finely honed steel action game with a plot worthy of a Hollywood movie adaptation. After Hideo Kojima stepped down, Konami tried to make a survival sim out of the franchise but failed.
silent hill
Survival horror with elements of the occult, a sequel for which fans have been waiting since 2012. The lore, the narrative, and the complexity of the themes raised are still rare in modern video games.
Conclusion
A big name and a long history do not guarantee success in the present, as Konami proves by its example. The last major and truly worthy AAA release from this company was Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, made under their license by Kojima Productions in 2015. And the most recent game was eFootball, a failed attempt to move the Pro Evolution Soccer series into F2P.
But don’t assume that Konami’s lack of fan support is pushing the company into the abyss: their Gaming & Systems segment, as well as Digital Entertainment, are reporting another rise in revenue. It’s just a matter of how good the offer will be because, in this world, money decides everything. Then perhaps all the franchises listed above will get a chance for a second life.
