Microsoft - Could Acquire EA or Valve

@PCGamesN Microsoft could be looking to acquire EA or Valve.

There are rumors, and then there are capital-R Rumors, so big as to seem like the wildest bits of forum speculation. But a report published by Polygon today cites anonymous sources suggesting that Microsoft are looking at making some major acquisitions for their gaming division in the near future.



Polygon say that “a reliable source close to Microsoft” indicates the company is looking at acquiring Electronic Arts. “Whispers” also suggest that Microsoft’s gaming division is interested in picking up PUBG Corp or even Valve.

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More information.

That's quite the bomb if it turns out to be true

I really hope so. Vive la révolution!

The apocalypse is upon us!!!

Please not Valve! Please not Valve!!

Well, valve is a private company. So no way to be acquired.

Originally Posted by Kordanor
Well, valve is a private company. So no way to be acquired.

M$ comes and offers a blank check. Gabe sells his soul in addition with his company

Good Lord, I hope they don't buy Valve. I don't give a frog's fat arse what happens to EA.

Ideal world Microsoft buy EA and allow independent studios to develop games with EA IP which will also be released on Steam.

What is the fuss about - it is all business exploiting the consumer in different ways with the same outcome.

M$ are just expanding their PC business with their failed Windows store (and their overpriced Surface fiasco - https://eandt.theiet.org/content/art…urface-laptop/).

How about valve acquires MS, burns all Xbox inventory and makes a real gaming OS. It’s good to dream.

Seriously though doesn’t Gabe hate MS? I’d think he’d go broke before selling out to them.

I’m no fan of EA but the last thing I want to see is MS snatching up more assets to try and turn my pc into an Xbox with.

I am not keen on the Xboxification of Windows either but trying to think of best possible scenario's. The reality is that Microsoft has more than enough money to do this. I don't think Valve would sell to them however given the realities of a corporate structure which most employees of Valve would not be keen on.

Microsoft is (imho) far worse than EA - esp if they force everything to use window store and the other crap they impose on both developers and consumers.
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Having said that if they offer enough the board will be forced to accept the offer. As others have noted Valve is a private company and does not have the same pressure towards investors; further more I suspect the majority owner (Gabe) has enough $$$ to last 1000 life-times so the only reason to sell out is if he is sick of the business.

That will be one humongous MicroTransaction™…

Steam would turn into a steaming pile under MS. EA might actually improve under MS.

MS buys EA. Gives Ultima license to Owlcat. Or maybe Larian or Beamdog.

Steam is lovely piece of software when compared to Windows Store.

Originally Posted by Kordanor
Well, valve is a private company. So no way to be acquired.

Uh, Mindcraft was private and they were acquired. Public or private is irrelevant.

There are rumors about Microsoft trying to buy EA every year or so. Here an example from 2009.

Originally Posted by Grifman
Uh, Mindcraft was private and they were acquired. Public or private is irrelevant.

Noch wanted to sell it because he was tired of dealing with haters (and Microsoft gave him a few billions). For Valve to be sold to Microsoft, the owners needs to want to sell it, they can't do an hostile take over like for a public company.

Ideal scenario is that MS pulls an EA on EA and leaves its rotting corpse in the Valley of the Shadow of Video Game Death next to Origin, Bullfrog, Westwood, et al.