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Axios: Microsoft's Phil Spencer: Activision deal "well beyond anything I’ve ever done"

kingfey

Banned
Cary Elwes Disney Plus GIF by Disney+
isnt monopoly means having half of the market. If those games arent coming to switch, they arent qualified as a monopoly.

But that will change in 1-2 years from now though, with the way switch is performing. Other exclusive playstation games would come to switch. But as long as playstation have those games exclusive, switch wont be the dominant hardware.
 

ManaByte

Gold Member
isnt monopoly means having half of the market. If those games arent coming to switch, they arent qualified as a monopoly.

But that will change in 1-2 years from now though, with the way switch is performing. Other exclusive playstation games would come to switch. But as long as playstation have those games exclusive, switch wont be the dominant hardware.
Dominating =\= monopoly.

In Japan the Switch is selling the most, its games are selling the most, and it’s the only console Japan seems to care about. For all intents and purposes the Switch IS the Japanese gaming market in 2022. That’s what dominating is.
 

kingfey

Banned
Dominating =\= monopoly.

In Japan the Switch is selling the most, its games are selling the most, and it’s the only console Japan seems to care about. For all intents and purposes the Switch IS the Japanese gaming market in 2022. That’s what dominating is.
I thought those were mutual. Since you need full control of the market to dominate something. Sometimes you learn new things.
 

kingfey

Banned
Knowing Sony, I think they would prefer Capcom since it's more westernized.

Eh. They could get Kojima and FromSoftware but it won't be enough.
Capcom is public. Sony will get outbid, if they attempt that. Square is easy for them, since they have alot of relationships. Even if they are public company.
 

SlimySnake

Flashless at the Golden Globes
So....that means Bethesda and Activision wont be exclusive? Last I checked like 50% of CoD was on Playstation

Sounds like more Phil doublespeak

lol yep. We want more players. Proceeds to lockout 70% of the players by making starfield exclusive.

These guys are hilarious with their attempts to justify these moves. I mean they are good business moves but don’t pretend to be the good guy here.

Satya was telling reporters that buying Activision isn’ta monopoly because even after the acquisition they would be third place behind Sony and Tencent in overall revenue. A bald face lie given how they made $16 billion last year from their gaming division and how Sony made $25 billion. Activision made $8 billion. Add up Activision and Microsoft revenue and remove cod revenue from PlayStation where it makes literally 60% of its overall revenue and you can see Microsoft come out on top ahead of Sony.

These guys are suits. Lying is in their job description. We need to stop giving these people clicks.
 
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RevGaming

Member
lol yep. We want more players. Proceeds to lockout 70% of the players by making starfield exclusive.

These guys are hilarious with their attempts to justify these moves. I mean they are good business moves but don’t pretend to be the good guy here.

Satya was telling reporters that buying Activision isn’ta monopoly because even after the acquisition they would be third place behind Sony and Tencent in overall revenue. A bald face lie given how they made $16 billion last year from their gaming division and how Sony made $25 billion. Activision made $8 billion. Add up Activision and Microsoft revenue and remove cod revenue from PlayStation where it makes literally 60% of its overall revenue and you can see Microsoft come out on top ahead of Sony.

These guys are suits. Lying is in their job description. We need to stop giving these people clicks.
If MS removed Cod from PS, activision drops more revenue than PS. Short-term
 
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lol yep. We want more players. Proceeds to lockout 70% of the players by making starfield exclusive.

These guys are hilarious with their attempts to justify these moves. I mean they are good business moves but don’t pretend to be the good guy here.

Satya was telling reporters that buying Activision isn’ta monopoly because even after the acquisition they would be third place behind Sony and Tencent in overall revenue. A bald face lie given how they made $16 billion last year from their gaming division and how Sony made $25 billion. Activision made $8 billion. Add up Activision and Microsoft revenue and remove cod revenue from PlayStation where it makes literally 60% of its overall revenue and you can see Microsoft come out on top ahead of Sony.

These guys are suits. Lying is in their job description. We need to stop giving these people clicks.

What's hilarious to me is how Phil is lauded as the good guy but he's the only one that's made huge acquisitions of once third party devs and then made them exclusive after making vague statements about how he wouldnt be taking players away from certain communities. I guess Starfield doesn't have one yet so that's free reign for Phil to wall them off even though they had a working PS5 version in development?

Sony buys the studio that put Xbox on the map and then proceeds to allow them to still work on Xbox both now and in the future with new IPs that do not have a community yet. Bungie games will probably be better by getting the unconditional support from Sony and the ability to work autonomously. There's litterally no downside to Xbox gamers with this acquisition. But all Playstation fans get from Phil are vague mentions of desires and hopes to not tear apart communities all while he's secretly allowing some but walling off most games.

And you nailed it on the head with the hypocrisy and false statements by Satya about them still being third place. It's some false math that's not taking into account so many variables that could easily push MS to be ahead of Playstation in revenue now that they have Activision. You don't buy up the biggest third party publisher with a market cap that's almost as big as your rival Playstation and then claim it's not a bold monopolistic move. Yes, the industry is big, but the moves they are making are not ones that a pure gaming company can make. That alone should factor into whether it's a step towards a monopoly or not. I don't like it at all.
 
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kingfey

Banned
lol yep. We want more players. Proceeds to lockout 70% of the players by making starfield exclusive.
As others pointed out, Bethesda has more players combined in pc.
Not to mention, they had their own store, plus steam. Xbox+Playstation were extra.
 

kingfey

Banned
What's hilarious to me is how Phil is lauded as the good guy but he's the only one that's made huge acquisitions of once third party devs and then made them exclusive after making vague statements about how he wouldnt be taking players away from certain communities. I guess Starfield doesn't have one yet so that's free reign for Phil to wall them off even though they had a working PS5 version in development?

Sony buys the studio that put Xbox on the map and then proceeds to allow them to still work on Xbox both now and in the future. Bungie games will probably be better by getting the unconditional support from Sony and the ability to work autonomously. There's litterally no downside to Xbox gamers with this acquisition. But all Playstation fans get from Phil are vague mentions of desires and hopes to not tear apart communities all while he's secretly allowing some but walling off most games.

And you nailed it on the head with the hypocrisy and false statements by Satya about them still being third place. It's some false math that's not taking into account so many variables that could easily push MS to be ahead of Playstation in revenue now that they have Activision. You don't buy up the biggest third party publisher with a market cap that's almost as big as your rival Playstation and then claim it's not a bold monopolistic move. Yes, the industry is big, but the moves they are making are not ones that a pure gaming company can make. That alone should factor into whether it's a step towards a monopoly or not. I don't like it at all.
This is the same playbook of Sony, when they got in to the industry.

That is business. Old people remember, how Sony dominant led Sega out of the console, and almost pushing out Nintendo, if xbox didnt step in to time.

Now a bigger company is doing the same thing.
 

CatLady

Selfishly plays on Xbox Purr-ies X
Yes, quality has no impact on player count. Explains why Battlefield 2042 has a soaring concurrent player count on Steam.

/s

Phil has multiple interviews where he’s talked about quality, and Microsoft games studios pushed out multiple games in the 85+ category last year. Not you trying to spin some BS narrative out of this interview.
And Xbox first party also won the well over 100 GotY awards. Seems like they had the MOST quality last year.
 
Old people remember, how Sony dominant led Sega out of the console, and almost pushing out Nintendo, if xbox didnt step in to time.
Indeed. They used their power of media giant at that time (they were very successfull at that time - everybody had TV, player or something from Sony in their houses) to undermine the competition and used their warchest at that time to buy exclusivity left and right.
Now Microsoft finally started to do the same thing on Microsoft scale, and Playstation community suddenly started to experience what Sega community went through. Unlike Sega though, Playstation has a big market share so they are not that vulnerable.

You'll be able to play Bethesda games on iPhone/Android. That right there is larger than the entire console market. So yes, Microsoft is bringing the games to more players.
Not to mention they could play Bethesda games if Sony allowed a browser :messenger_tears_of_joy:
 
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This is the same playbook of Sony, when they got in to the industry.

That is business. Old people remember, how Sony dominant led Sega out of the console, and almost pushing out Nintendo, if xbox didnt step in to time.

Now a bigger company is doing the same thing.

Nintendo was never at risk of being pushed out of the industry.

And Sega failed by their own poor choices.

But I do agree that it's not like Sony is exempt from stuff like this, but the scale at which Microsoft is operating on today is absolutely unprecedented and you can't be serious equating buying a 70B company to anything Sony has done in the past. It's not equivocal at all.
 

CatLady

Selfishly plays on Xbox Purr-ies X
Unlike Sony and Nintendo, MS doesn’t really care about the games or prestige, they want engagement and player count. They have complete different views of the market than Nintendo and Sony.

That's probably why last year Xbox first party got such high scoring games and won so many more GotY awards than Nintendo or PlayStation first party, right?
 
Nintendo was never at risk of being pushed out of the industry
They basically did get pushed out. They stopped even pushing consoles like GameCube because they really can't afford to sell at a loss like that, or pay for AAA 500-700 person teams for every game.

Maybe in retrospect people can appreciate the titanic sized balls on Iwata to gamble everything on the Wii in a completely original and unproven strategy to save the company. Their market got taken. They jumped off a cliff into uncharted territory and proved that new customers exist.
 
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RevGaming

Member
That's probably why last year Xbox first party got such high scoring games and won so many more GotY awards than Nintendo or PlayStation first party, right?
If Sony buys Capcom, they can say they had more awards in 2021.

Go Hard or Go Home Sony
 

kingfey

Banned
Nintendo was never at risk of being pushed out of the industry.

And Sega failed by their own poor choices.

But I do agree that it's not like Sony is exempt from stuff like this, but the scale at which Microsoft is operating on today is absolutely unprecedented and you can't be serious equating buying a 70B company to anything Sony has done in the past. It's not equivocal at all.
$70b is what these publishers are worth these days. Activision in the early xbox costed less then what they cost now. Even Bungie didnt cost $3b during that time, when ms bought them. Hell, zenimax was very cheap, and worked with xbox during OG xbox.
Only difference now, is that MS can afford, what these publishers are worth today.

Sony bought Psygnosis during their early period in the gaming period. That money would have been Billions by now. Especially with how many games they published.
 

CatLady

Selfishly plays on Xbox Purr-ies X
If Sony buys Capcom, they can say they had more awards in 2021.

Go Hard or Go Home Sony
Sorry no. Even if Sony gets Capcom they'd still only have 90. Xbox has 140. Not even close.
Source:
 
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But I do agree that it's not like Sony is exempt from stuff like this, but the scale at which Microsoft is operating on today is absolutely unprecedented and you can't be serious equating buying a 70B company to anything Sony has done in the past. It's not equivocal at all.
In 90s, Sony operated on the similar scale as Microsoft right now with price cuts, time exclusives and when joined the industry. Just because Sony can't do that right now, it doesn't mean that Microsoft is doing anything bad. Microsoft is bigger, but Sony was also much bigger than Sega and Nintendo in 90s. So just because Sony can't do the same thing as Microsoft right now, Sony is not a victim of "evil rich Microsoft".
 
$70b is what these publishers are worth these days. Activision in the early xbox costed less then what they cost now. Even Bungie didnt cost $3b during that time, when ms bought them. Hell, zenimax was very cheap, and worked with xbox during OG xbox.
Only difference now, is that MS can afford, what these publishers are worth today.

Sony bought Psygnosis during their early period in the gaming period. That money would have been Billions by now. Especially with how many games they published.

Are you seriously equating Psygnosis to Activision?

In 90s, Sony operated on the similar scale as Microsoft right now with price cuts, time exclusives and when joined the industry. Just because Sony can't do that right now, it doesn't mean that Microsoft is doing anything bad. Microsoft is bigger, but Sony was also much bigger than Sega and Nintendo in 90s. So just because Sony can't do the same thing as Microsoft right now, Sony is not a victim of "evil rich Microsoft".

Name one thing in the 90s that was as big as Bethesda and Activision. You can't. It's not the same scale.

They basically did get pushed out. They stopped even pushing consoles like GameCube because they really can't afford to sell at a loss like that, or pay for AAA 500-700 person teams for every game.

Maybe in retrospect people can appreciate the titanic sized balls on Iwata to gamble everything on the Wii in a completely original and unproven strategy to save the company. Their market got taken. They jumped off a cliff into uncharted territory and proved that new customers exist.

Changing strategy isn't getting pushed out. Their market was never really the same market of third parties and had not been that way for a really long time. Both Sony and MS have had to change their strategies, with Sony needing to double down heavily on first party in the PS3 era. It worked out well for them too. Now MS is pivoting to GamePass.

Sega would still be relevant today had they not made colossal blunders.
 
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Are you seriously equating Psygnosis to Activision?
Psygnosis was huge at that time.

Difference is, They arent big players now. But before they were big. It helped Sony get the connection it needed to the gaming industry immediately.
It is funny to see how there is little sympathy to Playstation right now across Internet community. Though Sony has historically been known as a bully of the industry.
 
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kingfey

Banned
t is funny to see how there is little sympathy to Playstation right now across Internet community. Though Sony has historically been known as a bully of the industry.
People always forget the past of the companies they love.
I respect xbox, but that wont let me forget how cruel MS was in the past. There has to be a boundaries, when you love something. Or else, that love will blind you.
 

kingfey

Banned
They weren't anywhere close to the scale and dominance of something like Bethesda today, let alone Activision.
Do you understand how big is a publisher?
Publishers have tons of connection in the gaming industries. Owning one of them, can bring you tons of customers to your system. The games they publish, can land on your system. That is how important publishers are,

Even Bethesda was a publisher during that era.
 

RevGaming

Member
Sorry no. Even if Sony gets Capcom they'd still only have 90. Xbox has 140. Not even close.
Source:
Where you getting 140? Forza is 48, Halo is 26 (+3 for those that think voting for a game that hasn't released counts) and Psychonauts is 16...

That's 93. Oh and two from Age of Empires. 95

um, hello?

Even if you add Deathloop, which you shouldn't because that had nothing to do with xbox and it was a playstation exclusive, it's not 140.



That has to be one of the weakest sony years (apart from 2014), and I know Death Stranding got more than Returnal and Ratchet which is stupid honestly.


Anyways man, Tlou 2 and Ghost got about 400 in 2020 and that was a more competitive year. Wonder what you will say this year LMAO.
 
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They weren't anywhere close to the scale and dominance of something like Bethesda today, let alone Activision.
Except they were. Though with PS1 I believe they became bigger and had like 40% of video games sales in Europe. Imagine owning 40% of the whole european market. It is like having 4 top charting games across the europe.

I respect xbox, but that wont let me forget how cruel MS was in the past.
For me I tend to judge the current position regarding specific area like gaming for example and if some people start playing victim card too hard, I just pinpoint on history.
 
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Are you seriously equating Psygnosis to Activision?



Name one thing in the 90s that was as big as Bethesda and Activision. You can't. It's not the same scale.



Changing strategy isn't getting pushed out. Their market was never really the same market of third parties and had not been that way for a really long time. Both Sony and MS have had to change their strategies, with Sony needing to double down heavily on first party in the PS3 era. It worked out well for them too. Now MS is pivoting to GamePass.

Sega would still be relevant today had they not made colossal blunders.
I mean, Sony literally took all their third party games on N64 and GameCube. Everyone claimed they were doomed and would have to go third party like Sega did.

If they didn't change strategy then they're Sega. The only difference is that it shockingly worked and they expanded the market. Their market was taken almost as soon as Sony entered the business.
 
Do you understand how big is a publisher?
Publishers have tons of connection in the gaming industries. Owning one of them, can bring you tons of customers to your system. The games they publish, can land on your system. That is how important publishers are,

Even Bethesda was a publisher during that era.


Psygnosis was still a small outlet compared to what we have today. And even their size back then was nothing enormous. Sony purchased them for a mere $48M in 1993. Adjusted for inflation, that is $86M today. Even assuming Sony were able to compound the company at a historical rate of 10%, they would be worth $840M. Or slightly more than, say, someone like Remedy. But Sony didn't, they closed the studio and is an example of one of their bigger failings.

Activision would basically be the equivalent of more than 100X Psygnosis purchases
 
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Psygnosis was still a small outlet compared to what we have today. And even their size back then was nothing enormous. Sony purchased them for a mere $48M in 1993. Adjusted for inflation, that is $86M today. Even assuming Sony were able to compound the company at a historical rate of 10%, they would be worth $840M. Or slightly more than, say, someone like Remedy. But Sony didn't, they closed the studio and is an example of one of their bigger failings.

Activision would basically be the equivalent of more than 100X Psygnosis purchases
And Nintendo purchased Retro for $1 million.

The only difference with today is scale. The analogy holds because the situation is similar. Obviously the scale is bigger. It would have to be bigger to even have that effect on Sony since they're a bigger company than Nintendo.
 

kingfey

Banned
Psygnosis was still a small outlet compared to what we have today. And even their size back then was nothing enormous. Sony purchased them for a mere $48M in 1993. Adjusted for inflation, that is $86M today. Even assuming Sony were able to compound the company at a historical rate of 10%, they would be worth $840M. Or slightly more than, say, someone like Remedy. But Sony didn't, they closed the studio and is an example of one of their bigger failings.

Activision would basically be the equivalent of more than 100X Psygnosis purchases
We arent talking about the money. But what that publisher had.
NameYearPlatformsDescription
3D Lemmings1995DOSAlso known as Lemmings 3D, a puzzle strategy game.
1996PlayStation
Sega Saturn
3D Lemmings Winterland1995DOSAn expansion for 3D Lemmings for the DOS version only, featuring additional levels and a winter theme.
3 Ninjas Kick Back1994Sega Genesis/Mega Drive
3X: The Science of War
Adidas Power Soccer1996PlayStation
A Bug's Life1998PlayStationAn adaptation of the movie A Bug's Life
A Bug's Life1999Microsoft WindowsAn adaptation of the movie A Bug's Life
Adidas Power Soccer: International '971997PlayStation
Adidas Power Soccer 981998PlayStation
Microsoft Windows
Agony1992AmigaA side-scrolling shoot 'em up in a fantasy setting.
Air Support1992AmigaA top-down strategy game with a first-person view for some missions.
Atari ST
All New World of Lemmings1995AmigaA sequel to Lemmings 2 with some additional features.
1994DOS
Alundra1997PlayStationAn action adventure game about a boy who learns he has the power to enter people's dreams, acclaimed for its bizarre storyline and smooth gameplay.
2007PlayStation Network
Amnios1991AmigaA top-down, multi-directional, scrolling, shoot 'em up set on ten different planets.
Anarchy1990AmigaA side-scrolling shooter where the player pilots a futuristic tank.
Atari ST
Aquaventura1992
Armour-Geddon1991AmigaA strategy video game.
Atari ST
DOS
Armour-Geddon 2: Codename Hellfire1994AmigaA strategy video game.
Assault Rigs1996PlayStationAn action game set in the near future featuring a tank simulation game.
1997Sega Saturn
1996Windows
Atomino1990AmigaA puzzle game based on building molecules from atoms.
Atari ST
1991Commodore 64
1990DOS
Attack of the Saucerman1999PlayStationAn action game.
Windows
Awesome1990AmigaAn action strategy science fiction game with a variety of gameplay styles.
Atari ST
FM Towns
Baal1988AmigaA platform shoot 'em up that garnered little attention or critical acclaim.
Atari ST
Commodore 64
DOS
Ballistix1989Acorn ElectronA futuristic sports game involving a game with similarities to hockey and billiards.
Amiga
Atari ST
BBC Micro
Commodore 64
DOS
1991TurboGrafx-16
Barbarian1987AmigaA platform game featuring the eponymous muscle-bound barbarian. This title showcased the Atari ST and Amiga's superior multimedia capabilities.
1988Amstrad CPC
1987Atari ST
1988Commodore 64
DOS
ZX Spectrum
Barbarian II1991Amiga 500A fantasy action-adventure game featuring the same brute from the first game, Barbarian.
Atari ST
Benefactor1994AmigaA puzzle/platform game which shares some similarities to Lemmings.
Amiga CD32
Bill's Tomato Game1992AmigaA puzzle game, platform game where a tomato must rescue his girlfriend from a squirrel.
Atari ST
Blast Radius1998PlayStationA space combat simulator
Blood Money1989AmigaA scrolling shooter where the player travels through four different worlds; a Sega Genesis/Mega Drive version was unreleased.
Atari ST
Commodore 64
DOS
Blue Ice1995WindowsA graphical adventure puzzle video game.
Bob's Bad Day1993Amiga
Bram Stoker's Dracula1993
Brataccas1985[15][17]Amiga, Atari ST, MacAction/Adventure. Psygnosis' first published game.
Brian the Lion1994AmigaA Platforming game.

This isnt the full list.
 
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kingfey

Banned
Psygnosis was still a small outlet compared to what we have today. And even their size back then was nothing enormous. Sony purchased them for a mere $48M in 1993. Adjusted for inflation, that is $86M today. Even assuming Sony were able to compound the company at a historical rate of 10%, they would be worth $840M. Or slightly more than, say, someone like Remedy. But Sony didn't, they closed the studio and is an example of one of their bigger failings.

Activision would basically be the equivalent of more than 100X Psygnosis purchases
Part 2

The Carl Lewis Challenge1992
Captain Fizz Meets The Blaster-Trons1988Also known as Icarus.
Carthage1990Amiga
Atari ST
Christmas Lemmings1991Also known as Holiday Lemmings.
Chronicles of the Sword1996DOS
PlayStation
Chrono Quest1988Amiga
Atari ST
DOS
Colony Wars1997PlayStation
Colony Wars: Vengeance1998PlayStation
Colony Wars: Red Sun2000PlayStation
Combat Air Patrol1993
Creepers1993
Cytron1992
Darker1995
Darkstalkers1996Responsible for PlayStation port.
Daughter of Serpents1992DOS
Deadline1996
Deep Space1986
Defcon 51995
Destruction Derby1995
Destruction Derby 21996
Destruction Derby 641999Nintendo 64
Destruction Derby Raw2000PlayStation
Diggers 2: Extractors1995
Discworld1995
Discworld II: Mortality Bytes!1996Except for the Saturn version.
Drakan: Order of the Flame1999Windows
Eagle One: Harrier Attack1999PlayStation
Ecstatica1994
Ecstatica II1997
Eliminator1998PlayStation
Windows
Expert Pool1999Windows
Formula 11996PlayStation
Windows
Formula 1 971997PlayStation
Windows
Formula 1 981998PlayStation
Formula One 991999PlayStation
Windows
Formula One 20002000
G-Police1997PlayStation
Windows
G-Police: Weapons of Justice1999PlayStation
Global Domination1993
Globdule1993
Guilty1995
Hardcore (cancelled)1994Sega Genesis/Mega DriveHardcore is a run and gun "Eurostyle 2D shooter". It was cancelled by Psygnosis due to the publisher's belief that 16-bit game sales would decline due to the release of the then upcoming Sony Playstation. This game was later released by Strictly Limited Games.
Hexx: Heresy of the Wizard1994
Hired Guns1993
Infestation1990
Innocent Until Caught1993
The Killing Game Show1990Also known as Fatal Rewind.
Kingsley's Adventure1999PlayStation
Krazy Ivan1996PlayStation
Sega Saturn
Windows
Lander1999
Last Action Hero1993
Leander1991
Lemmings1991Amiga, Atari ST, MS-DOS, ZX Spectrum, Amiga CDTV, Super NES, Acorn Archimedes, NES, Sharp X68000, PC-98, TurboGrafx-CD, Atari Lynx, Master System, Sega Genesis/Mega Drive, Amstrad CPC, Sam Coupé, Commodore 64, Amiga CD32, Philips CD-i, Game Gear, Game Boy, 3DO, Windows 95, Apple Macintosh, PlayStation, Game Boy Color, Sony PSP, Sony PS3[47]Debatably Psygnosis's most successful game.
Lemmings 2: The Tribes1993
Lemmings Paintball1996
Lemmings Revolution2000
Lifeforce Tenka1997PlayStation
Windows
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein1994
Matrix Marauders1990
Menace1988
Metal Fatigue2000
Mickey's Wild Adventure1996PlayStationA platform game featuring Disney's Mickey Mouse who travels back in time to his original cartoons.
2011PlayStation Network
Microcosm1993
Muppet RaceMania2000
Misadventures of Flink1994
Nations: WWII Fighter Command1999
Nevermind1989
Nitro1990
Novastorm1994
No Escape1994Sega Genesis/Mega Drive
O.D.T. – Escape... Or Die Trying1998PlayStation
Windows
Obitus1991
Obliterator1988
Oh No! More Lemmings1991
Ork1991
Overboard!1997
Panzer Elite1999Windows
Perihelion: The Prophecy1993
Prime Mover1993
Prince of Persia 2: The Shadow and the Flame1993Publisher of the canceled Mega Drive port.
Pro 18 World Tour Golf1999PlayStation
Windows
Professional Underground League of Pain1997DOSKnown as Riot in Europe.
PlayStation
Windows
Psybadek1998PlayStation
Puggsy1993Sega Genesis/Mega Drive
Sega CD
Amiga
Pyrotechnica1995
Rascal1998
Retro Force1999
Roll Away1998Known as Kula World in Europe, and Kula Quest in Japan.
Rollcage1999PlayStation
Windows
Rollcage Stage II2000PlayStation
Windows
Rosco McQueen Firefighter Extreme1997
Rush Hour1997Known as Speedster in Europe, and BatleRound USA in Japan.
Second Samurai1994
Sentient1997
Sentinel Returns1998
Shadow Master1997PlayStation
Windows
Shadow of the Beast1989Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, Sega Genesis/Mega DriveSide-scrolling platform game developed by Reflections. It showcased the Amiga's graphical capabilities with parallax layers, background color gradients, and large sprites. Artwork inspired by Roger Dean, and atmospheric music by David Whittaker.
Shadow of the Beast II1990Amiga, Atari ST, Sega Genesis/Mega Drive
Shadow of the Beast III1992Amiga
Silverload1995DOSA horror adventure game.
Shipwreckers!1997
Spice World1998PlayStation
Stryx1990
Team Buddies2000
Tellurian Defense1999
Terrorpods1987
The Adventures of Lomax1996PlayStationA platform game, a spin-off of Lemmings. The player character is a Lemming who must save his friends.
Windows
The City of Lost Children1997
Theatre of Death1993
Thunder Truck Rally1997PlayStationKnown as Monster Trucks in Europe.
Windows
Toy Story1996
Tricks N' Treasures
Urban Assault (cancelled)1999PlayStationA port of the FPS/RTS hybrid game developed by TerraTools and Microsoft, that was outsourced to Climax Entertainment, and that was never announced nor released. The port remained undiscovered until 2016, where it was found on a sale of old Climax assets. The original PC game's source code was also found on the Climax lot.
Walker1993
Wipeout1995PlayStation
Wipeout 641998Nintendo 64
Wipeout: 2097/Wipeout XL1996PlayStation
Wipeout 31999PlayStation
Wipeout 3: Special Edition2000PlayStation
Wiz 'n' Liz: The Frantic Wabbit Wescue1993
X-It1995
Zombieville1998
 
I am not following your point. They had a lot of IP?

They weren't an Activison or Bethesda. Sorry. Compare their IP to big hitters of their day. Not exactly the same as CoD or Skyrim. They were really small IP.
 
And Nintendo purchased Retro for $1 million.

The only difference with today is scale. The analogy holds because the situation is similar. Obviously the scale is bigger. It would have to be bigger to even have that effect on Sony since they're a bigger company than Nintendo.

the scale is my entire point. We have mega-publishers now. That wasn't the case back then. Hence, Psygnosis is laughably insignificant compared to the likes of Activision. It's absolutely not operating on the same scale.
 
Psygnosis was still a small outlet compared to what we have today. And even their size back then was nothing enormous. Sony purchased them for a mere $48M in 1993. Adjusted for inflation, that is $86M today. Even assuming Sony were able to compound the company at a historical rate of 10%, they would be worth $840M. Or slightly more than, say, someone like Remedy. But Sony didn't, they closed the studio and is an example of one of their bigger failings.

Activision would basically be the equivalent of more than 100X Psygnosis purchases
You cannot just project the price the same way. Gaming market is much bigger right now. We have strong PC, console and mobile. And all these markets are bigger than the same markets in 90s. So if you swallow somebody like Psygnosis in 90s, it is the same as ATVI (probably Psygnosis would be even bigger. It would be probably close to 0.5T2 + ATVI at the same time but I am not sure. Anecdotally they published the game from DMA Design (Rockstart)).
 
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the scale is my entire point. We have mega-publishers now. That wasn't the case back then. Hence, Psygnosis is laughably insignificant compared to the likes of Activision. It's absolutely not operating on the same scale.
Nothing is on the same scale. Everything is bigger.

Sony was bigger than Nintendo and Sega. And now MS is bigger than Sony. Everyone is agreeing with you.
 
You cannot just project the price the same way. Gaming market is much bigger right now. We have strong PC, console and mobile. And all these markets are bigger than the same markets in 90s.

Again, see the post above. That's my entire point. Buying Acitivision is enormous. Buying Psygnosis in 1993 is a drop in the bucket.

Nothing is on the same scale. Everything is bigger.

Sony was bigger than Nintendo and Sega. And now MS is bigger than Sony. Everyone is agreeing with you.

The whole point of the argument was whether or not the situation of Sony buying Psygnosis is the same as Microsoft buying Activision. It is not. There were plenty of gaming only companies that could have purchased Psygnosis.

Only Microsoft or another tech giant has the ability to purchase someone like Activision.
 
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