We need to talk about EA

[RepentantSky]

I don't know, from a business standpoint it doesn't seem to make a lot of sense. EA is still in hot water with everyone after Battlefront II, so any move they make that goes against the gaming community won't help, and Microsoft isn't doing much better in a lot of ways, because despite the success of the Xbox One X sales, software wise Nintendo and Sony are still kicking their ass. If they bought EA, they would be held accountable for the heat that EA has been producing. If the rumor is true, it suggests that Microsoft would be doing this to try and close the gap where exclusives are concerned, but I don't see how that's the smart way to do things, considering all Sony and Nintendo had to do was make their first party games, and sign a few deals with Japanese companies. I can't imagine trying to buy something like EA, valve or PUBG Corp. is a cheaper alternative, which probably means Microsoft would push even harder into microtransactions to make up the difference and that heat would probably do more harm than good. It's possible that they think they'll make enough money despite that, that it won't matter, but there's no way Microsoft can get all of that potential heat under the radar. I don't know why they can't just go to Square or Level 5, or even Atlus and try and convince them to make an exclusive game for them. But then again, despite claims that Microsoft is working closer with Japan this year and moving forward, it doesn't seem likely that, that is true at all, and they are probably hoping to appeal just to Western audiences who like guns and put all their eggs in that basket that really doesn't have enough eggs to take to the bank.