Just a few weeks ago, we all learned that AT&T was considering the idea of selling off the Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment division. This decision includes numerous amazing studios, such as Rocksteady, NetherRealm, Monolith (and that is just the tip of the iceberg), and some other gaming properties, such as Mortal Kombat. We have heard that AT&T was asking for $2 billion to $4 billion, and Take-Two Interactive, Electronic Arts, and Activision were all interested in the idea.
A lot of the video game titles from the Warner Bros. Interactive are actually tied to the Warner-owned intellectual property. We’re talking about “Game of Thrones,” “The Lego Movie”, “Harry Potter.” Also, the “Mortal Kombat” and the “Scribblenauts” series. There is a lot to think about, especially when it comes to commercial licensing agreements, in which AT&T can continue to get revenue from them.
But it seems that there is also another tech giant that wants to bid for the division. According to some reports, Microsoft wants to enter the race to Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. The company has already acquired many new game development studios in the last two years, like Double Fine Productions, Obsidian Entertainment, Playground Games, Ninja Theory, and some others from Xbox Game Studios.
We are very curious to see who will end up with the purchase, but there will be some changes. This means there will be a shift for the gaming industry and perhaps the loss of a major publisher.
This is not the only big purchase the gaming industry has to deal with. We have also learned that Sony wants to buy Leyou, the studio that owns Warframe developed Digital Extremes and Gears Tactics developer Splash Damage.
