Microsoft reportedly wanted to acquire Square Enix

During Microsoft’s trial with the Federal Trade Commission, significant revelations have emerged that tells of Microsoft’s plans to acquire Square Enix. Among the noteworthy details disclosed over the past few days, documents presented in the FTC’s antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft unveiled the company’s contemplation of acquiring Square Enix in 2019. The revelation sheds light on Microsoft’s strategic considerations and ambitions within the gaming market.

Microsoft’s pursuit of game-changing exclusives for Xbox Game Pass has been widely acknowledged. The company’s endeavors to acquire Activision Blizzard are a prime example of its efforts. However, according to Bloomberg, additional documents have surfaced, revealing Microsoft’s exploration of potential acquisitions of other influential developers, such as Bungie and Sega. These endeavors aimed to attract customers to Game Pass, PC, and Xbox, further bolstering Microsoft’s gaming ecosystem.

Square Enix merger with Microsoft would’ve been a powerhouse

It is worth noting that Square Enix, a prominent Sony partner, has enjoyed a longstanding relationship with the PlayStation platform. The collaboration between Sony and the renowned developer has resulted in numerous exclusives, including the recently released Final Fantasy 16, which achieved impressive sales of 3 million copies during its launch week. This context highlights the significance of Microsoft’s pursuit of acquisitions and its strategic goals in the competitive gaming industry.

At the beginning of the year, Microsoft made a strong start with the release of Hi-Fi Rush, but the subsequent months leading up to Starfield have been lacking in exclusive titles. If Microsoft had Square Enix as part of its lineup, its position in the console market could have been significantly different.

Earlier this month, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed an injunction against Microsoft, preventing the finalization of its deal with Activision Blizzard on July 18. Surprisingly, Microsoft welcomed the injunction as it would expedite the legal process and eliminate potential future obstacles with the regulatory body. This FTC v. Microsoft trial follows the previous year’s lawsuit by the FTC against Microsoft regarding the merger.

If Microsoft prevails in the FTC trial, it would remove yet another hurdle in the path of its proposed $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

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