Xbox might acquire Hollow Knight & No Man's Sky

16 video games studios are eyed for acquisition by Microsoft.

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Key notes

  • Dreamhaven, which is founded by former Blizzard executives, is also part of the list.
  • It would mean an informal Blizzard reunion if Microsoft acquires both studios.
  • Team Cherry and Hello Games are also on the list.
xbox acquisition list

Microsoft is very motivated to make Xbox the king of consoles. At the Xbox Games Showcase 2023 and Starfield Direct event, the Redmond-based tech giant announced that over 5000 new games are in development for Xbox.

And if we are to take any clues from the Xbox roadmap for the following years, it seems that a lot of new and exciting titles are coming to the platform. Starfield is dropping this year, but there are hints a remake of Halo: Combat Evolved is coming to Xbox as well.

So the future is looking bright for Xbox. But it seems that the latest FTC v. Microsoft hearing has revealed a lot of secrets from Microsoft. Secrets that involve Xbox. The giant wanted to buy Sony out of business, and also acquire a lot of other video games studio such as Sega. And it seems, Microsoft offered a $117 million sum to Ninja Theory back in 2018.

It seems that Microsoft does this often. And just recently, an internal plan from Microsoft has apparently leaked. If the leak is true, then Microsoft is eyeing no less than 16 video game studios for acquisition.

Here’s the leaked Xbox acquisition list

First of all, take it with a pinch of salt. The leak was first seen on Reddit, and the list numbers 16 video game studios that are in Microsoft’s focus for an acquisition.xbox acquisition list

  • A44
  • Bonfire Studios
  • Counterplay Games
  • Dreamhaven
  • Ember Lab
  • Facepunch Studios
  • Fatshark
  • Ghost Ship Games
  • Hazelight Studios
  • Heart Machine
  • Hello Games
  • Moon Studios
  • Mundfish
  • Proletariat
  • Striking Distance Studios
  • Team Cherry

Ironically, Xbox’s acquisition list features Dreamhaven, which is a video game studio founded by former Blizzard employees. Given that Microsoft is in talks to acquire Blizzard, this would be an informal gathering, all over again.

The list also features Hello Games which developed No Man’s Sky, and Team Cherry, which developed the cult Hollow Knight. The studios are from everywhere, which is a sign that Microsoft is looking for global talent for Xbox.

A lot of these video game studios developed amazing video games, and a lot of them are still played all over the world. If this list is true, then at least, Microsoft is keeping an eye on them. And if the Blizzard acquisition will succeed, some of these studios might soon be part of Xbox’s repertoire.

What do you think about this list? Let us know your opinion in the comments section below.

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