It turns out that Microsoft made concerted efforts to buy Japanese RPG giant Square, in a bidding exercise to rival the debacle that ensued around the attempted Sega buy-out attempts of the late 1990’s.
According to reports, Square was willing to do business with Microsoft, but for a substantial sum of money. SquareSoft asked $2.5 billion for a 40% stake in its ongoing business, a figure that was rejected by Microsoft as being “financially untenable.”
Interestingly, Square sold a 19% share in its business to Sony Computer Entertainment for only $125 million.
It is now a recognised fact that Microsoft saw Sega’s Dreamcast as its first paddle in the undertow-plagued console market. The firm built strong relations with Sega and although this didn’t result in a complete buy-out, it did see a secondary Microsoft operating system installed on the ill-fated machine and built the foundations for the relationship between Sega and Microsoft that exists today.
Many gamers have snubbed Microsoft’s console offering since its launch, but its software line-up is now almost irresistible, especially if you are a Sega fan. The only way you are going to get to play Sega GT 2002, Panzer Dragoon Orta, Crazy Taxi 3 and company is on an Xbox.
It’s got us convinced, at least.
According to reports, Square was willing to do business with Microsoft, but for a substantial sum of money. SquareSoft asked $2.5 billion for a 40% stake in its ongoing business, a figure that was rejected by Microsoft as being “financially untenable.”
Interestingly, Square sold a 19% share in its business to Sony Computer Entertainment for only $125 million.
It is now a recognised fact that Microsoft saw Sega’s Dreamcast as its first paddle in the undertow-plagued console market. The firm built strong relations with Sega and although this didn’t result in a complete buy-out, it did see a secondary Microsoft operating system installed on the ill-fated machine and built the foundations for the relationship between Sega and Microsoft that exists today.
Many gamers have snubbed Microsoft’s console offering since its launch, but its software line-up is now almost irresistible, especially if you are a Sega fan. The only way you are going to get to play Sega GT 2002, Panzer Dragoon Orta, Crazy Taxi 3 and company is on an Xbox.
It’s got us convinced, at least.
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