The gaming world was shaken by Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of Call of Duty publisher Activision Blizzard recently, though the trend of big acquisitions will likely continue in 2024. According to a new claim, Sony, Tencent and Take-Two Interactive will be the most active buyers next year in terms of acquisitions.
Leading tech M&A investment bank Drake Star says it expects an increase in gaming acquisitions in 2024, with Sony among the most active buyers. Drake Star based this on conversations it had with “many of the top gaming companies” but it didn’t state which ones. Microsoft will likely put a hold on making big acquisitions next year after spending a few pennies to purchase Activision Blizzard. On the other hand, Sony might be feeling a bit of pressure to make big buyouts as a result.
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Drake Star wrote in its recent report:
“Q4 [2023] has started on a great note with the era-defining gaming deal in Microsoft/Activision finally closing after a lengthy regulatory review. We expect M&A activity to steadily increase in 2024.”
Shortly after Xbox bought Activision Blizzard, Ampere Analysis analyst Piers Harding-Rolls stated that Sony is “under pressure to react” to the acquisition by making major acquisitions of its own soon. Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden disagrees and says that acquisitions do more harm than good in the gaming industry.
If Sony, Tencent and Take-Two Interactive are planning on making studio purchases next year, it will be interesting to see what the conversation will be surrounding the consolidation of the industry and whether or not acquisitions are actually beneficial for companies in the long run. Despite releasing Starfield and Redfall this year, Xbox has a number of first-party projects that are still in development from its various purchased studios.
In related news, Xbox executives including Phil Spencer visited Blizzard headquarters last week in an effort to earn the company’s trust and ensure staff that they will be heard.
Source: Drake Star
