Activision acquire Bizarre

Wyrdo · 26 Sep 2007 at 16:59

Publisher Activision has announced that it has acquired UK developer Bizarre Creations (PGR, Geometry Wars), as Bizarre assures fans the new ownership will be "hands off" and does not represent financial trouble within the developer itself.

http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=15639

Kreeeee · 26 Sep 2007 at 17:03

Unlucky Microsoft.

ic1male · 26 Sep 2007 at 17:16

Hmm. There might be a PGR5 on PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, Playstation 3, DS, Wii, mobile, etc. now.

~J~ · 26 Sep 2007 at 17:33

Hmmmmm, I'm not convinced that's a good move by Bizarre. Could be, but dunno.

Bonjour · 26 Sep 2007 at 17:49

Tomorrow's headline:

'Microsoft acquires Activision'

FrankJH · 26 Sep 2007 at 21:20

Bonjour said:
Tomorrow's headline:

'Microsoft acquires Activision'

Sounds about right lol

Would be surprised if MS wanted PGR to go onto any other system

Smit · 26 Sep 2007 at 21:48

FrankJH said:
Sounds about right lol

Would be surprised if MS wanted PGR to go onto any other system

I guess it depends on what kind of contract MS had with Bizzare, it's entirely plausable that somewhere in the contract it states that if a buyout occured the the game would remain an exclusive franchise.

Would probably be a good thing for it to go multi-platform anyway.
That would leave both Sony and MS with their 'Big' exclusive racing game (GT vs Forza) while everyone gets to enjoy PGR 5.

If PGR4 does really well then I could imagine both Sony and MS trying desperately to secure an agreement for PGR5

Tobes · 26 Sep 2007 at 22:00

PGR is 360s Grand Turismo. So I wouldn't say its a good thing if it goes multi platform. I'm all up for most games... but not games which were built to be that consoles main game if you get what I mean.

Smit · 26 Sep 2007 at 22:40

Tob3z said:
PGR is 360s Grand Turismo. So I wouldn't say its a good thing if it goes multi platform. I'm all up for most games... but not games which were built to be that consoles main game if you get what I mean.

I would say that Forza is Microsofts Gran Turismo equivalent. PGR is more of an arcade racer whereas both GT and Forza are supposed to be more simulation than arcade.

Bossy papa · 26 Sep 2007 at 22:46

i'm surprised that ms did not get in there any sooner
that's lame
need more info on this

Tobes · 26 Sep 2007 at 23:08

Smit said:
I would say that Forza is Microsofts Gran Turismo equivalent. PGR is more of an arcade racer whereas both GT and Forza are supposed to be more simulation than arcade.

PGR came before Forza and I think the majority of gamers would pick a PGR game over Forza one. I know they are both different games and both great. It's just PGR has more of a "name" as it were.

Bonjour · 26 Sep 2007 at 23:37

Smit said:
I would say that Forza is Microsofts Gran Turismo equivalent. PGR is more of an arcade racer whereas both GT and Forza are supposed to be more simulation than arcade.

Style-wise, yes, but franchise-wise, PGR has definately been Microsoft's Gran Turismo.

sparkymark75 · 27 Sep 2007 at 00:15

Smit said:
I guess it depends on what kind of contract MS had with Bizzare, it's entirely plausable that somewhere in the contract it states that if a buyout occured the the game would remain an exclusive franchise.

Would probably be a good thing for it to go multi-platform anyway.
That would leave both Sony and MS with their 'Big' exclusive racing game (GT vs Forza) while everyone gets to enjoy PGR 5.

If PGR4 does really well then I could imagine both Sony and MS trying desperately to secure an agreement for PGR5

From what I've read on the Bizarre Creations forums, it appears that MS own the IP for PGR.

http://www.bizarrecreations.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15222#p261585

cheets64 · 27 Sep 2007 at 00:25

MS wouldn't let the PGR 2/3/4 series go to another console, unless they just buy out all the staff and start new, which wouldnt suprise me.