Can Microsoft Control PC Game Distribution?

Can Microsoft Control PC Game Distribution?

PC game sales soared in 2020 driven by Covid stay-at-home orders. Sales leveled off in 2021 and the latest DFC forecasts predict a slight decline in 2022. However, at $37 billion a year the PC game business is as strong as ever and is the most lucrative platform for a wide range of products. With the potential Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard, a major question is whether there will be a shakeup in PC software di.....
Microsoft Acquisition of Activision Blizzard Should Be Approved

Microsoft Acquisition of Activision Blizzard Should Be Approved

Going into the last part of 2022 it is looking like the Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard (ATVI) will be approved. Microsoft has successfully framed the deal as a means of improving its competitive position in the PC game and console game spaces, an area where Microsoft has struggled against Valve and Sony. However, becoming more competitive in the video game business is not the primary consideration driving the acquisition. The reality is that acquiring ATVI is not about Mi.....
Will Microsoft Acquisition of Activision Blizzard Go Through?

Will Microsoft Acquisition of Activision Blizzard Go Through?

The proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI) by Microsoft is massive by any standards. Of course, it raises many questions. The video game industry is trying to gauge the potential impact of the deal. However, the bigger issue is what are the chances of this deal going through? And if it does occur how long will it take? When Microsoft announced it was buying Activision Blizzard for $95 a share the stock was tradin.....
Microsoft Announces Plan to Buy Activision Blizzard

Microsoft Announces Plan to Buy Activision Blizzard

Today it was announced that Microsoft plans to acquire Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI) for $68.7 billion. This is the largest video game deal ever and it will likely take some time to go through. Here are our initial thoughts. • Activision Blizzard was looking in a weak position with internal turmoil. The thinking was the company would need to be split up with Activision, Blizzard, King as three separate parts. It was hard to imagine any company willing to swallow the whole pill. .....
Latin American Market May be Key to Microsoft Xbox Success

Latin American Market May be Key to Microsoft Xbox Success

Latin America is a video game loving region that is home to over 660 million people.  Many observers assume the market is dominated by mobile games.  However, there is a vibrant core gamer segment in Latin America that is very interested in the latest console and PC games. The latest DFC Intelligence forecasts estimate that core console and PC games in Latin America are expected to grow fro.....
PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series: Is This the Last Generation of Video Game Console Systems?

PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series: Is This the Last Generation of Video Game Console Systems?

As a new generation of game consoles launches many observers are again wondering if this will be the end of the console era. In other words, as games go online, will game hardware, like many consumer electronics products, become a commodity? This question has been asked for years, but now takes on new importance given the strategy of companies like Microsoft that increasingly view game offerings as part of a hardware agnostic service. The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X will be in sh.....
Microsoft Flight Simulator Highlights A Bold Microsoft Strategy

Microsoft Flight Simulator Highlights A Bold Microsoft Strategy

Much of the news about Microsoft’s plans for a new video game console system has come out this week.  What is clear is that Microsoft is focused on a service-based subscription model.  However, one of the best indications of where Microsoft is going may be Microsoft Flight Simulator which launched for PC in August. The Flight Simulator franchise has been around since 1982 when Microsoft was using it to promote IBM DOS-based PCs.  In 1996, the franchise moved to Windows.....
Microsoft Throws a Hail Mary with Xbox Series S

Microsoft Throws a Hail Mary with Xbox Series S

The rumors about a watered-down digital only version of the upcoming Microsoft Xbox Series X have been going on for quite some time. In the past few days the details about the system, originally known as Project Lockhart, started to catch fire. Finally, on Tuesday September 8, Microsoft officially announced the rumors were true and a new system the Xbox Series S would launch November 10, 2020. The Xbox Series S will launch at the bargain price of $299. However, the Xbox Series S featur.....