Analyst Confident Xbox’s Unlikeliness To Acquire Japanese Talent Based On Cultural Differences In Recent Report

Ideally for Microsoft when it comes to its plans for acquisitions, the firm’s most evident effort for the decision is a long-standing relationship with the candidate. We knew this with the arrangement with Zenimax Media for Bethesda in the past and there was certainly a presence between itself and Activision as well as we witnessed previously. However, Japanese teams is a different story.

While the Xbox company is ecstatic with Tango Gameworks addition to Xbox Game Studios, there is few studios that hold a close connection with Microsoft outside of marketing arrangements. The only notable team is Tomonobu Itagaki who now helms self-named team, Itagaki Games. He previously mentioned eagerness to work with Xbox once more after trusting him with the 3D Ninja Gaiden trilogy for Xbox 360.

However, for Microsoft’s chances to properly acquire a team, it does not appear to be even up for discussion according to a report by industry consultant Nathan Brown. In his recent Hit Points Newsletter, industry analyst Dr Serkan Toto elaborates on the matter in great detail concluding that cultural barriers is truly Microsoft’s weak point to acquiring a team from the region.

Nothing can be ruled out in this day and age. But in some ways, Microsoft taking over a big Japanese publisher would be bigger news than the Activision deal. So far no foreign game company has been able to acquire a Japanese studio — and I can guarantee you there have been attempts, from both western and Asian players.

He continues, “They are generally considered the antithesis of the Japanese way of doing business, and almost always a very bad idea. A foreign entity taking over a publicly traded studio against its own will would be a suicide mission: everybody would leave instantly. I would bet my house this will not happen, ever.”

Additionally, Toto also elaborates on the separate markets that some Japanese firms are heavily invested in. Including “the diversified business portfolio of key players: Konami’s gym business, Sega’s resorts, and so on,” just to name a few. Howbeit, he does acknowledge that there is an evident standpoint that Sony holds since Japan is its native region compared to American-founded Microsoft.

“Sony of course has the home-field advantage, and some of the challenges that would come up for Microsoft would not apply to Sony. It doesn’t have to be one of the publicly traded powerhouses, but I believe Sony is at least considering making a move in Japan soon.” Do you agree with Toto’s argument on Microsoft’s chances to acquire Japanese talent?

Source: Hitpoints