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Not only Activision: The History of Microsoft

by MrMash

Almost $70 billion . So much money invests Microsoft to apply Activision Blizzard. An expensive, but possibly very lucrative business, which could change the game landscape in the long term.

However, it is far from The company’s first mega deal behind Windows and the Xbox, on the contrary. The dimensions are now bursting each imagination.

But the heading Microsoft buys XY or Microsoft uses monopoly position we have read for a very long time for the first time. Disappointment, surprise, pricing escalation, all this and much more can be found in the company’s history of Microsoft and its numerous acquisitions.

So we look into the past and try to understand the thoughts and strategies behind the acting of the potential monopolist.

Table of Contents

  1. Page 1 not only Activision: The History of Microsoft acquisitions – Page 1
    1. 1.1Mbrace, Extend, Extinguish
    2. 1.2The x-factor
  2. Page 2Not Only Activision: The History of Microsoft Toked – Page 2
    1. 2.1Hamster purchases
    2. 2.2Activision Blizzard: The Mega Takeover

Xbox
3. Page 3 picture gallery too Not only Activision: The History of Microsoft Toked

Embrace, Extend, Extinguish

The history of the Mega Deals, which were not so mega at that time, began to buy the software company Forethought Inc in 1987. These were responsible for programs such as PowerPoint in the origin version.

The deal was now almost charming $14 million. Today, PowerPoint is indispensable from the Microsoft Office assortment. Thus, a successful investment by Mr. Gates.

Over the years, the purchase of many smaller companies followed in congruence to the growth of the company; Mostly companies that are no longer known to the public, such as RenderMorphics, NextBus or Vermeer Technologies.

This strategy was already so annoyed in the 90s and established that even the Simpsons made fun of it.

Not only were companies bought up, competition such as the Netscape web browsers were combated with any imaginable means. The mantra:

EMBRACE, EXTEND, EXTINGUISH.

Either, the competitor is bought up, or the basic idea is further developed, and the competitor was pushed by Microsoft’s financial possibilities from the market. The browser start-up Netscape was able to sing a song in the late 1990s.

This pattern could also be transferred to Microsoft’s purchases in the video game industry, which is why it is important to keep this in mind.

The x-factor

Microsoft’s behavior was very relevant for the video game world in the early 2000s. The Xbox was announced as a new console project of the company and of course also needed attractive exclusive titles for starting in 2001.

So Microsoft bought a studio named bungee , which had actually announced the future top title Halo in 1999 as a shooter for PC and Mac. Originally, Halo was even annoyed by Steve Jobs at the World 99.

Bungee was pleased to be the opportunity to be a console in the launch, and Halo should serve the Xbox until today as a flagship.

Although Microsoft had previously had a little experience with video game publishing, for example for the studios Fast Interactive and Access Software . However, with the establishment of the Microsoft Game Studios , a dedicated department has been created within the Microsoft Cosmos, which should provide the PC and the Xbox with exclusive titles.

Even studios like Digital Anvil and Ensemble Studios were bought early for the Microsoft Game Studios. The up-to-date the biggest coup should follow in 2002: Microsoft bought Rearward , known for top titles such as Donkey Kong Country, Banjo Kazoo, Perfect Dark and Golden eye 007.

And you did not let lumps, say and write $375 million Hiked at previous owner Nintendo. The company founded by the Stamper Brothers should bring on titles like Perfect Dark and Banjo to the Xbox.

Previously, Microsoft even tried to buy Nintendo at most. That has been known for a long time, only before months ago came to the designed deal but new details on the daylight. So about Nintendo’s reaction to the Microsoft proposal: laughter.

In retrospect, the rare purchase for Microsoft was not approaching so lucrative, as you might have hoped for. None of the Rare-own brands today in the industry also only start the monetary relevance of that time.

Continue on page 2!