Microsoft denied rumors that it acquired Sega and would announce the deal at Tokyo Game Show 2020, saying no new studio purchases will be revealed during the event.
The speculation began after Microsoft’s $7.5 billion acquisition of ZeniMax Media, which brought franchises such as The Elder Scrolls, DOOM, Fallout and Wolfenstein into Xbox Game Studios. That purchase sparked online claims—originating on 4chan—that Microsoft had also purchased Sega and planned to make a Tokyo Game Show announcement.
What Microsoft said about TGS 2020
In a post on its official Twitter account, Microsoft outlined what will appear during its TGS 2020 segment and what will not. The company said the presentation will include updates for Microsoft Flight Simulator on PC, a celebration of developers and Japanese games, and explicitly noted there would be no reveals related to the new generation of consoles or any announcements of new acquisitions.
How the rumors spread
Fans and observers pointed to several perceived “signals” as evidence of a Sega deal. One example cited was Microsoft showcasing a new Xbox Series X controller in blue and white with the phrase “Stell Iconic.” Some users claimed that extracting certain letters from that phrase could spell “Sonic.” The SEGA-posted image featuring an “X” symbol further amplified the theories.
Xbox and Japan: growing ties, not a takeover
Although Xbox consoles have historically had limited market share in Japan, Xbox chief Phil Spencer has shown growing interest in the country and has been strengthening relationships with local developers. Sega has been supporting Xbox more than in the past, bringing previously PlayStation-exclusive titles such as the Yakuza series to the platform.
For example, Yakuza: Like a Dragon is scheduled to launch alongside the Xbox Series X and S, but Microsoft’s involvement in bringing those games to Xbox does not equate to an acquisition of Sega.
Dragon Quest joining Xbox
Another sign of Microsoft’s expanding ties with Japanese publishers is the announcement in July that Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition will come to Xbox. This marks the first time entries from that major RPG franchise have been made available on an Xbox console.
The new Dragon Quest is scheduled for release on December 4 for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC, and will be available at launch for Xbox Game Pass subscribers.
Source: Hobby Consolas
