[GameSpot] - Microsoft Explored A Square Enix Acquisition In The Past

[343iBot]

Microsoft's trial with the Federal Trade Commission might change Xbox's place in the gaming industry as we know it, but that's not all that the case revealed over the past few days. As reported by Bloomberg, documents included in the FTC's antitrust suit against Microsoft revealed that the company considered acquiring Square Enix in 2019.

We’re delighted to announce we’ve shipped and digitally sold 3 million copies of Final Fantasy XVI on PlayStation 5. Thank you for your support! #FF16 pic.twitter.com/8YGfo1RXyV

— FINAL FANTASY XVI (@finalfantasyxvi) June 28, 2023

It's no secret that Microsoft has been hunting for game-changing exclusives for Xbox Game Pass. Its attempt to acquire Activision Blizzard is just one example of its efforts. According to Bloomberg, separate documents revealed that Microsoft also considered acquiring Bungie and Sega. These were just some of the most significant developers that the company explored in its quest to bring more customers to Game Pass, PC, and Xbox.

Square Enix is currently one of Sony's most prominent partners. Sony and the Final Fantasy maker have enjoyed years of exclusives between the two, including the recently released Final Fantasy 16. Its latest exclusive just sold 3 million copies in its launch week.

Microsoft started strong with Hi-Fi Rush at the beginning of the year, but the lineup of exclusives has been sparse in the months leading up to Starfield. In short, Microsoft's place in the console market could've been drastically different with Square Enix in its roster.

The FTC filed an injunction against Microsoft earlier this month before it could finalize its deal with Activision Blizzard on July 18. However, Microsoft welcomed the injunction as a way to speed up the legal process and clear any blockages it might run into in the future with the governing body. The FTC v. Microsoft trial comes after the FTC sued Microsoft last year about the merger.

If Microsoft wins the FTC trial, it will clear one more roadblock in the way of its $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The trial continues later this week.

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