Bioware purchased by Microsoft?

[Astrakan]

This could be just another rumour like the infamous Megat0n rumour of a few months back, but it's being reported over at Ferrago.com that Microsoft is about to announce the purchase of Bioware.

In favour of the rumour are the facts that Bioware have proven to be very Xbox friendly with their release of Knights of the Old Republic and its upcoming sequel as well as Jade Empire. Against it would be that Bioware so far appear to have been doing quite well on their own, and wouldn't necessarily be shopping around.

I'm sure those of you who are more adept at analyzing the market than me can come up with other pros/cons.

Anyway, here's the article:

The latest issue of Polygon magazine is reporting an unnamed source from within Microsoft's Game Studios publishing division as stating that Redmond will imminently announce the finalisation of a Bioware purchase agreed. The continued rise of Microsoft within the industry will, rumour has it, be confirmed at E3 next month.
Being one of the most influential and successful RPG developers in the industry Bioware won't come cheap, though securing future Knights of the Old Republic and Neverwinter Nights games as Xbox exclusives could of course pay dividends for Gates and Co. too. Needless to say, such a bombshell as this would be Microsoft's 'big surprise' for E3, and would certainly steal some much needed limelight away from the new hardware due to be shown by rivals Nintendo and Sony.

We'll find out whether this be fact or fiction soon, then.



By Luke Guttridge, on 19th Apr 2004.

Link: http://www.ferrago.com/story/3393

KM

[Ruined]

Honestly I would be very surprised if this were true. Though Bioware is an excellent studio, I would think MS would be more interested in a studio that might help them penetrate the Japanese market better. Jade Empire looks great, but I'm not sure its going to do so great in Japan.

[Astrakan]

Originally Posted by Ruined

Honestly I would be very surprised if this were true. Though Bioware is an excellent studio, I would think MS would be more interested in a studio that might help them penetrate the Japanese market better. Jade Empire looks great, but I'm not sure its going to do so great in Japan.

Bah! You're just upset that you didn't get to post it first. :p

Jokes aside, Bioware have proven that they can make western flavoured RPGs, perhaps Microsoft is gambling that they can also make Japanese flavoured ones?

KM

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by Astrakan

Bah! You're just upset that you didn't get to post it first. :p

Nah, with all the past buyout rumors that didn't hold water, I would hold off until official before posting something to this effect

Jokes aside, Bioware have proven that they can make western flavoured RPGs, perhaps Microsoft is gambling that they can also make Japanese flavoured ones?

That's a very interesting theory, and not one that I've though about. (Now that I'm pissed at!!). It is quite a gamble though.