The Silicon Review ^Asia

This year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) was indeed eventful. Phil Spencer, the head of Microsoft’s Xbox announced a number of studio acquisitions during the E3 press conference. Spencer disclosed on Sunday that Microsoft has acquired Ninja Theory, Playground Games, Undead Labs and Compulsion Games. These acquisitions are aimed at strengthening Microsoft’s portfolio of development studios to improve its game-development capabilities. The buying spree comes in the wake of Microsoft’s efforts to enhance its subscriptions service, Xbox Game Pass, through which users can download games.

Microsoft’s already owns 343 Industries, the developers of the acclaimed Halo series. In addition to this, the software titan also owns Mojang AB, the name behind Minecraft. The newly acquired game development studios will operate under the Microsoft Studios brand beside a new venture called The Initiative. This venture will be led by Darrel Gallagher, the former studio head of Crystal Dynamics.

What captured the attendees’ attention was the teaser trailer of Halo Infinite, the latest entrant into Microsoft’s renowned first-person shooter series, Halo. According to Phil Spencer, the new launch will be Master Chief’s “greatest adventure to save humanity.” With the announcement of 50 new titles that include 15 Xbox exclusives, this year’s edition of E3 was every gaming fanatic’s fantasy.

Alongside Halo Infinite, other games hinted at by Xbox include the much awaited Crackdown 3 as well as Fallout 76. Joining these is Forza Horizon 4, Devil May Cry 5and Jump-Force, to name a few.