Sacred Symbols+, Episode 156: Mergers and Whack-quisitions (Patreon)

The news this morning was unexpected and unusual, but also quite true: Microsoft has purchased Activision-Blizzard for a staggering $68.7 billion, a nearly 50% premium over share price. This deal, if it goes through, would make series like Call of Duty, Diablo, Overwatch, and even Crash Bandicoot and Spyro Xbox first party franchises. It also clearly puts Microsoft in the driver's seat when it comes to dictating the terms of the industry's economics, adding not only dozens of IP to its stable, but world-renowned studios, too, from Infinity Ward to Treyarch to Raven and beyond. But don't lose sight of one fact above all: Such deals always come packing massive unintended consequences. Indeed, it's hard not to look at Microsoft as a malign force, more interested in bean-counting than creativity, squashing its competitors through monied might rather than relying on itself to create something truly great. But from the company that tried to buy Nintendo, poached Halo, and was once closely-associated with games it didn't make -- like Mass Effect, BioShock, and Titanfall -- such maneuvering shouldn't necessarily come as a surprise. Or should it?

Note: There was an export issue with the initial upload. This has now been fixed. If Dustin's voice cuts out, redownload the episode and you should be set. Sorry for the inconvenience!