In June, a report from CNBC suggested AT&T was eager to sell its video game division Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment for around $4 billion to help wipe some of its debt. Interested parties included Take-Two, Electronic Arts, Activision-Blizzard, and a month later Microsoft was thrown into the mix.
Now, in a letter to employees of Warner Bros. - WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar has shared his plans for the company moving forward. While certain changes will, in fact, be happening, Kilar makes it clear the gaming division will stay under AT&T's control - at least for now:
"Warner Bros. Interactive remains part of the Studios and Networks group"
This includes several other brands which are focused on "engaging fans" with WB's brands and franchises through video games and other interactive experiences. While it seems like the Warner Bros. Gaming Division will be staying put in the immediate future, there's no saying it will stay this way in the long term.
Earlier this week WB's Rocksteady Studios confirmed its long-rumoured Suicide Squad game. All will be revealed on 22nd August at the Warner Bros' DC FanDome event. How would you feel about WB's gaming division staying put? Would you like to see a company like Microsoft acquire it? Share your thoughts down below.
[source windowscentral.com]
Comments 12
Prefer it stay put than end in the hands of EA, Take Two or Activision.
But if it does sell, I hope MS makes sure they get it. It’s just pocket change compared to the money they proposing to throw at Tik Tok, and I still see no proof that thing won’t just be another MySpace.
I really hope xbox get it and work out something for the batman license
I don’t think this is an accurate interpretation of this letter. It’s a management shakeup, and all that line is intended to do is show who has responsibility for the studios right now after three leaders have been shown the door. That’s important because deals take time to work through both before and after they are announced. For all we know, a deal could have been made a month ago and it may just not be public yet.
A better interpretation might have been - ATT shakes up management. No news on potential sale for WB studios.
I doubt it was ever gonna happen..
Microsoft should just keep buying up the types of developers that they have been.
I think there is no doubt it will sell. AT&T overestimated HBO Max spending way to much money on content for a platform that is in an over crowded market. They have to start selling some companies to cover the debt. I hope microsoft gets it. I would love some more first party content on game pass.
@Bowser89 I'm pretty sure AT&T took a hard look at how extremely well gaming has been doing as a whole during this year, so they decided not to go thru with the sale. It makes perfect sense. The gaming space do produce a lot of money, so why get rig of it. Business wise, it will be stupid.
AT&T will be better off selling other things than its gaming section at this point.
@Tharsman I think that TikTok purchase is motivated by something else entirely. But thats opening up a whole other can of worms!
I am glad WB games is staying as is. I dont think they need to sell.
@KelticDevil they need to get the balance right now and organically grow some more studios. The initiative is a good start but need more.
@Jaxx420
I agree. I would like to see them put the money into creating other studios from scratch, like The Initiative.
@KelticDevil Aye trouble with studio acquisitions sometimes is talent don't take to it and leave, and eventually they become a shell of the original team.
Organically growing them is the way forward.
Speaking from the fighting game angle. If SF6 goes mutiplat and Microsoft buy WB (Mortal Kombat, Injustice) then Xbox will be THE place to game for the FGC. Throw in Killer Instinct and it'll be a powerhouse of a fighting game console 😊
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