I mean when even Xbox studio developers are posting this, and considering the likelihood MS & the CMA come to some type of agreement (and MS & ABK agree to other terms allowing them to close the deal in the markets where it's already either been approved or a block has failed, like the U.S), then yeah I guess this saga is finally coming to a close.
For Microsoft, buying is the easy part. Actually doing something meaningful with what they've bought, especially anything related to entertainment, is the part they seem to seldom ever get right.
They're not going to lose them regardless what happens. Microsoft tried twice to entice them and they waved them away. You need to calm down with your hard on in multiple threads saying that they have to buy them they don't and Square would have to be willing to be bought.
It's not just Microsoft; it's other companies looking to get into the industry like Apple, Amazon, Tencent etc. who might sweep up publishers like Square-Enix, and then favor to give Microsoft preferential access to that content, or be unwilling to let Sony work with Square-Enix in the capacity we've been seeing them work at current. Let alone one of them deciding they want to, say, use that content exclusively for their own streaming service or digital storefront., or setting licensing costs for Sony to get the content on their platform & services much higher than they currently are.
There's also the long-term impact of brand optics to early adopters and enthusiasts, who might see it as part of a trend in Sony losing key access (or even access) to various 3P partners & content, and decide against picking up the next console due to that, or feeling they'll get a better deal if say Microsoft acquires them and makes it all "free" in Game Pass. And while MS might have failed before to entice these pubs, there's no saying they would fail another time.
Also considering how close Sony x Square-Enix already are, I don't think Square-Enix would take a lot of convincing by Sony to enter an acquisition agreement. But in that sense you are right, Square-Enix would have to want to sell.
I think they are willing to be acquired by Sony.
There are too many events that happened between Sony and Square Enix. I simply won’t believe it’s just pure coincidences.
MS attempted to buy Square Enix in 2020. Square rejected them. Sony got reported that MS wanted to buy Square Enix. Same majority of shareholders so very likely Sony got informed. Then Greg Miller and Jeff Grubb both heard from different sources in early 2021 that Sony has only interest in Square Enix. A long key-executive of Square Enix with Shinji Hashimoto declared his retirement due of age. A couple of weeks later he gets hired by Sony Music for an executive role. In 2022 Embracer buying the entire western arm of Square Enix. Eidos Interactive Founder speaks in an interview about this divestiture of their western arm. He states it’s because Sony is only interested in the Japanese part of Square Enix. Sony double dips on Manga to Anime Adaptions of Square Enix treasure drove. Previously Team Asano games exclusive to Nintendo such as Octopath and Live a Live hitting PS but not Xbox. FF7R didn’t launch on Xbox, neither will FFXVI. Square Enix announcing to move into a new and bigger HQ close to Sony’s in Shibuya. Targeting 2023 November for move. Matsuda declares his retirement. The new appointed CEO is coming from a Metaverse company. Am company Sony previously invested in. There is no way in hell this are all random coincidences. I bet on it.
God dang dude, you've been keeping tabs and did your homework. Also FWIW, I believe someone from Capcom retired last year and joined Sony. Not sure which department though.
But yeah, there are a LOT of coincidences here. Where there's smoke, there's fire. Pretty much 90% sure Sony will be acquiring Square-Enix within the next year or so (time of announcement & going through regulatory process).
