There is much upheaval at Microsoft at the moment with a new CEO coming in this year and the continued rumours that the investors are unhappy with the performance of the Xbox brand and are pushing for Microsoft to sell it off.
Personally I think Microsoft would be mad to cut and run now but if the investors force the issue who could the potential buyers be?
Let’s take a look at the usual suspects
Amazon
We’ve recently been hearing a lot of rumours about Amazon entering the gaming race with their own branded console. Being one of the largest retailers in the world and already having a stranglehold on the eBook market it doesn’t take much to imagine them also moving over to consoles.
However they’ve been expected to launch an Android console that is more in tune with casual games than AAA blockbusters and if that is their game plan then the Xbox brand doesn’t really fit into the near term future.
Likelihood: 5/10
Apple
Apple is the market leader in mobile game, music and entertainment sales with their mammoth iStore raking over $20 billion into Apple’s bank account every year.
Apple currently has around $150 billion in available cash in their bank accounts which is more than enough to scoop up the Xbox department and possibly get a cash discount.
Integrating the media capabilities of the Xbox One with their own iTunes dominance would be a very good move for Apple but Microsoft would be hard pushed to sign over so many patents and control of the living room to one of their greatest competitors.
Likelihood: 4/10
Samsung
Another name being thrown around is Samsung. They are already going head-to-head with Apple with their top end mobile phones and have deeply integrated themselves into everyday life with their range of TV’s, sound systems and kitchenware.
To take total control of the living room by adding a dominant media centre like the Xbox could be something they are interested in. They also may only be interested in the patents and then they would have the ability to sell Samsung Blu-Ray players with embedded Xbox One functionality.
They can afford it and they have the history of beating Sony in the living room already, but can they afford to open yet another front to fight on?
Likelihood: 6/10
It’s not really been the best time for Google recently with their attempts at taking on Facebook floundering and the vast majority of all their enormous income still coming from advertising.
Granted they dominate the smart phone operating system market but the Android software is free so it’s not going to be a big earner for them.
The Android software itself is the reason I don’t see this one happening, it is nearly unthinkable that Google would buy those very expensive Microsoft patents for technology it competes directly against.
Likelihood: 3/10
AOL Time Warner
Here’s one out of left-field. AOL Time Warner have never really been in the hardware industry so why would they even be the slightest bit interested?
Well AOL has been on a massive content acquisition drive in the last few years and while most of that has been intended to improve their display advertising revenue it is important to remember that half their corporation is all about TV Shows and movies. Something the Xbox One was developed for.
They may decide to take a punt even though the game side doesn’t interest them simply because it will entrench their cable business and products in the living room.
Likelihood: 5/10
Sony or Nintendo
What about the current competitors then?
Sony has no need if Xbox are sold as it will give them a chance to dominate before the next owners can turn it into something.
And the Xbox brand doesn’t fit into the Nintendo lifestyle.
Likelihood: 0/10
Sega
Yes Sega, no someone hasn’t spiked my drink here I really do think they have a valid shot at making a comeback if they look at picking up Xbox.
Now I doubt they have anywhere near enough capital to purchase it but I also don’t doubt there are enough people flush with cash in the industry to jump in.
Sega has great brand reputation with us older folk and with some financial support from Gabe Newell and the like this may become a real possibility.
Likelihood: 5/10
Current Publishers
Other names being thrown around are the likes of EA Games, Activision, Take-Two and others but in reality I just don’t see that happening.
They are all coining it on multiple platforms now, why would they hurt themselves by also becoming a hardware manufacturer and facing claims of bias to their own system?
Likelihood: 0/10
So that’s my predications if the Xbox department is sold to a new company. Let me know yours in the comments below.
Last Updated: February 25, 2014
oVg BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA... HA!
February 25, 2014 at 12:30
Atari… tooooo sooooon
Hammersteyn
February 25, 2014 at 12:34
ROFL
General JJ the annihilator
February 25, 2014 at 12:49
LOL
Wyll Gonron
February 25, 2014 at 15:57
Atari now is in “Current Publishers” because they make games since ps2
oVg BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA... HA!
February 25, 2014 at 12:35
Peter Moore. He has an XBOX O tattoo on his anus… Or is it a tattoo?…
oVg BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA... HA!
February 25, 2014 at 12:39
EA
RinceandLeSIGH
February 25, 2014 at 12:40
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!
TiMsTeR1033
February 25, 2014 at 12:43
I heard he had to go for 3 sessions to get the X just right.
RinceandLeSIGH
February 25, 2014 at 12:45
hang about, that ‘2’ sign looks like someone almost doing a 360 0-O
TiMsTeR1033
February 25, 2014 at 12:39
In honesty if in a perfect world I think Nintendo should team up with Sega and buy xbox then scrap the whole Xbone and make an elite Company that caters from casual to hardcore gamers.
Hammersteyn
February 25, 2014 at 12:41
WII XO?
VampyreSquirrel
February 25, 2014 at 12:41
Nintendo MegaDrive One
Hammersteyn
February 25, 2014 at 12:44
Oooh I like that
TiMsTeR1033
February 25, 2014 at 12:44
One sounds weak.. lets call it the Nintega X Drive! 0_0 sounds like a bloody sex toy!
VampyreSquirrel
February 25, 2014 at 12:46
Nintega Megabox 720 then?
We can call it “die groot doos”
TiMsTeR1033
February 25, 2014 at 12:46
It does sound powerful!
Hammersteyn
February 25, 2014 at 12:48
Sounds like a papsak. Which describes XBOX at the moment.
TiMsTeR1033
February 25, 2014 at 12:42
The Wiibox drive?
Hammersteyn
February 25, 2014 at 12:45
Or Wiibox One?
Mighty Meh
February 25, 2014 at 13:11
Sound like something you’d use for long distance drives with no toilets in sight. 😛
VampyreSquirrel
February 25, 2014 at 12:45
They could make a new company called Nintega, or Segtendo
TiMsTeR1033
February 25, 2014 at 12:46
I like the Nintega. Sounds Japanese too
Hammersteyn
February 25, 2014 at 12:40
Seeing how Sony made Betamax I think Sony would buy the latest console from MS to store it in a museum with the others
RinceandLeSIGH
February 25, 2014 at 12:43
Maybe they’ll just sell it to Major Nelson?I mean he probably has $100 lying around *Runs from expected fanboyyys
Hammersteyn
February 25, 2014 at 12:49
They wont sell, Titanfall will save them.
RinceandLeSIGH
February 25, 2014 at 12:49
HAHAHAH!
oVg BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA... HA!
February 25, 2014 at 12:54
Titan Fail. I heard that the game play is easier than the nooooob entry level X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Button masher of FFXIII.
RinceandLeSIGH
February 25, 2014 at 12:55
Where is @Umar?
TiMsTeR1033
February 25, 2014 at 12:55
hiding in a tree..
RinceandLeSIGH
February 25, 2014 at 12:56
I think he’s still crying over that abomination FFXIII….
TiMsTeR1033
February 25, 2014 at 12:57
I am glad I dodged a bullet from buying FFXIII then
Hammersteyn
February 25, 2014 at 12:56
Auto Pistol Fail!
TiMsTeR1033
February 25, 2014 at 12:59
This seems a good place to leave this
JustAnotherGamer
February 25, 2014 at 15:10
Titanfall and the cloud will save them
TiMsTeR1033
February 25, 2014 at 12:49
They gonna sell the entire Xbox name for $100 dollars… you smoking crack today Nick?
Hammersteyn
February 25, 2014 at 12:50
I agree $100 is way too much.
RinceandLeSIGH
February 25, 2014 at 12:52
Win 😉
VampyreSquirrel
February 25, 2014 at 12:51
He might not be, but someone on the streets in CT might be and the smoke’s going into his office.
TiMsTeR1033
February 25, 2014 at 12:53
Prob tik I hear its common in those parts.
RinceandLeSIGH
February 25, 2014 at 12:52
Agreed, let me revise that. $75?
oVg BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA... HA!
February 25, 2014 at 12:51
lol fanboys. We all know that the million hits this site gets every month is from the Master Race entertaining themselves with the drivel that comes out of these console peasants.
Your 90 thumbs up for defending the PC proves that 😛
Hammersteyn
February 25, 2014 at 12:53
Drivel like all the talk about GTAV?
RinceandLeSIGH
February 25, 2014 at 12:54
I am not so sure… Perhaps the PC Master race have different hand gestures? Maybe to them it’s a ‘fuck you peasant’ which is why I have so many?
General JJ the annihilator
February 25, 2014 at 12:50
Suits the EA bill.
TiMsTeR1033
February 25, 2014 at 12:54
If EA buys Xbox they will get the worst company of the year award annually.
Hammersteyn
February 25, 2014 at 12:55
They already have two in a row. I foresee a third.
TiMsTeR1033
February 25, 2014 at 12:56
Thats a given… gonna score a hatrick
Hammersteyn
February 25, 2014 at 12:57
Golden poo everywhere,
El Capitan del Blade
February 25, 2014 at 13:20
I can see it now…. “would you like to login to youe Xbox live account, $0.99 will be charged to your credit card”
HvR
February 25, 2014 at 13:23
Only if you want to log in immediately, otherwise you only need top wait 12 hours.
You did forget the $4.99 for the login screen DLC though.
El Capitan del Blade
February 25, 2014 at 13:26
Of course, how could I forget!
Admiral Chief in Vegas
February 25, 2014 at 12:57
Valve?
Brady miaau
February 25, 2014 at 12:59
Nah, the ethos of Valve is sort of different. I cannot see that one
RinceandLeSIGH
February 25, 2014 at 13:06
Thought they were too busy working on Halflife 3? *sprints
Rags
February 25, 2014 at 13:09
Some Arab Prince: 10/10
Lardus-Resident Perve
February 25, 2014 at 13:09
“more in tune with casual games than AAA blockbusters” – but then the Xbox would be perfect for Amazon’s plans trololol
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
February 25, 2014 at 13:15
Sega for the win:
The SEXBox!
Hammersteyn
February 25, 2014 at 13:18
LOL!
Ottokie
February 25, 2014 at 13:28
Disney will buy it most probably…
Gavin Mannion
February 25, 2014 at 13:30
That was the meanest thing I’ve seen all day… but you may even be right
Ottokie
February 25, 2014 at 13:31
Never forget
CAE9872
February 25, 2014 at 13:36
US govt! They love them some local flavoured companies – heck they bailed the US car industry out to the tune of a few trillion dollars. So Xbox division small change!
But in all seriousness – doesn’t appear to be that many suitors to the throne. Valve? They sure would shake up things but suppose with Steambox its unlikely now.
Double-O-Six and a half
February 25, 2014 at 13:41
Now this will give my age away but I hear the Sinclair ZX Spectrum is making a comeback and they may be in the market for a console… they might be able to use the XBone’s new tech instead of a tape recorder for writing the games… #ZXSpectrumFTW!!!
CAE9872
February 25, 2014 at 13:50
I was a Commodore fan personally. Just wasn’t ever that into Spectrum. Haha console (PC?) wars all over again…like Sony vs MS.
Double-O-Six and a half
February 25, 2014 at 13:54
It’s all cyclic, Commodore vs Sinclair, Sega vs Nintendo, Sony vs MS, PC vs everybody else… what’s next Occulus Rift vs Google Glass…? Now there’s an idea, Google Gaming Glasses for those boring board (bored) meetings!!!
CAE9872
February 25, 2014 at 13:56
I was listening to a podcast the other day and the guy was saying he tried it at E3 but the promo dude “forgot” to close the porn he was watching. Had been wondering why he had a silly grin on his face.
Would make board meeting less boring for sure!
Gavin Mannion
February 25, 2014 at 13:57
the ZX was my first console… I still miss that screaching noise
Double-O-Six and a half
February 25, 2014 at 14:33
And the best bit about those days…
You had to program the games yourself… so you NEVER released an EA product, oops, I meant an unfinished product!!! Wait, in EA terms aren’t they one and the same?
Pieter Kruger
February 25, 2014 at 14:40
Hahaha! You don’t invest $ billions into something and then just sell it off! If was the case poor Sony gaming division would’ve been sold 3 times already! Please also remember that selling less than Sony does not mean they’re not selling at all, in fact they’re smashing Xbox 360 launch sales all over the place! Microsoft will focus more on multiplat games (Xbox one, 360 & pc) to maximise profits, remember the pc market is HUGE and there’s still like 80 million 360’s out there! Will Titanfall save the Xbox One? THEY DON’T NEED SAVING LOL! Will Titanfall sell consoles? HELL YEAH!(it will sell more Xbox Ones than KZ did PS 4’s, that’s for sure!!) Ha ha ha ha! ????
JustAnotherGamer
February 25, 2014 at 15:11
No one would buy xbox. it’s a crap brand. Better just kill it and start off fresh. Xbox and wii are the dreamcast of this generation.
Wyll Gonron
February 25, 2014 at 15:49
i think that Sony would bought it just to disband, they could get their rival out of the way for good, Nintendo is no threat to Sony ( because they aiming to younger customers, that don’t stay young forever) as Xbox do.
Gavin Mannion
February 25, 2014 at 18:25
Sony couldn’t afford that.. they don’t have much money
Wyll Gonron
February 26, 2014 at 18:11
They are sponsoring the “Fifa’s World Football Cup” in Brazil, and their people gain 1 ticket each R$ 1.500,00 (Local Money) and that is a *Crazy For Soccer Country*, So that would do the trick, i’m already there (or here, or wherever i suppose to be) so i know that well
(PS. The Beaches here are AWESOME)
Norm
February 25, 2014 at 20:16
Can you imagine EA buying the Xbox?