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Microsoft has reportedly tried to buy some of the biggest names in the game, including Nintendo, to create exclusive titles for the original Xbox.
In a new report from Bloomberg, many people who worked on the console in the run-up to its release described attempts to acquire companies like Nintendo, EA, and Square Enix.
After announcing the Xbox in 2000, Microsoft was looking for games for its new system and the developers who would make them. According to Bob McBreen, then business development manager, “the first company we approached to buy was EA.” This offer was met with a quick “no thanks”, so Microsoft turned to Japanese giant Nintendo.
Kevin Bachus, director of third-party relations for the console, said: “Steve [Ballmer, former Microsoft CEO] took us to meet Nintendo to see if they would consider being acquired. Apparently, though, this conversation didn’t go well: ‘They just laughed their asses off. For example, imagine a time when someone is laughing at you. That was sort of how this meeting went.
The Bloomberg report also cites unsuccessful attempts to purchase Square Enix, as well as Mortal Kombat developer Midway. The former told Microsoft that its asking price was too low, while the latter was still committed to its business with PlayStation. Ultimately it worked for Microsoft. They would * ahem * settle for developer Halo Bungie, creating one of Xbox’s most successful and long-lasting franchises.
While the acquisition of a company as massive as Nintendo might have been unthinkable in the early days of Xbox, Microsoft’s purchase of Zenimax Media, announced last year and slated for completion in a few months, has brought Bethesda, Arkane, and Id Software in the Xbox family.
If you want to be a little more up to date with Microsoft’s gaming efforts, here is where to buy an Xbox Series X.
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