It’s looking like Microsoft is looking to acquire Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment is up for sale, per current owner, AT&T. Potential bidders for the games division of Warner Bros. include Take-Two Interactive, Electronic Arts, and Activision Blizzard.
Enter Microsoft.
The Information shared a new report in which Microsoft has expressed interest in purchasing the gaming division of Warner Bros. The report mentions that AT&T sees this sale as a way to pay off the $154 billion in debt that the company has.
“An acquisition of the business, which consists of game development studios scattered around the U.S., Canada and the U.K., would help Microsoft expand the game-making capabilities of its Xbox group. But Warner’s parent, AT&T, hasn’t yet decided whether to sell the business. It is weighing the possibility as it looks at ways of paying down its $154 billion in debt, which stems partly from its 2018 acquisition of Time Warner, now known as WarnerMedia.“
Rocksteady, WB Games Montreal, NetherRealm, Monolith Productions, TT Games, and a plethora of other support studios would be developing games for Microsoft. This could very well see numerous IP become Xbox exclusives, such as Mortal Kombat.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: ANALYST: SALE OF WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT COULD SET OFF WAVE OF MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS
Any interest or sale would more than likely not affect games already in development. This would include the upcoming Batman and Suicide Squad games that are all but confirmed.
Nothing is set in stone as of this point, but the fact that Microsoft may want in on any potential bidding war over Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment is big news.
What are your thoughts on a potential acquisition? Tell us below!
