So, yeah, this is happening. In case you missed the news (which I know I certainly did in what can only be the worst-timed lunch break of my career) Xbox just confirmed that they’re buying Activision. All of it. Microsoft, please, it’s only Tuesday afternoon.
Activision is comprised of many, many studios, including Blizzard Entertainment, Demonware, and of course, Toys for Bob - the team behind everyone’s beloved PlayStation icons, Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon. Which means that, yes, if you’ve been following so far, Crash and Spyro are about to be owned by Xbox.
Crash and Spyro have made appearances on other consoles in more recent years - check out the trailer for Spyro Reignited Trilogy on the Switch below.
Crash and Spyro were, of course, some of PlayStation’s biggest exclusive titles back in the day, and although more recent times has seen them both spread out to other platforms too, it’s still pretty weird to think that they’re under Microsoft’s control now, and could potentially even become Xbox exclusives. Oh how the tables have turned. That’s by no means a guarantee, by the way, but it’d definitely be in Xbox’s power if they wanted to do it.
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In case you need catching up on the rest of the chaos that’s unfolding today, this colossal acquisition is costing Xbox a whopping $68.7 billion. Just to put it into perspective, Disney originally bought Marvel and Star Wars for $8 billion combined. It’s an insane amount of money, but with all the IPs that Xbox now have to do with whatever they like, there’s no doubt that this can only be an amazing move for them.
It’s not confirmed at this time if controversial Activision CEO Bobby Kotick will be stepping away from the company or not when the transaction is finalised - I think it’s safe to say that a huge majority of people would hope so, given all the lawsuits and abuse allegations that have taken place within the company while it’s been under his control.
But yeah, one thing is for certain, and that’s that Crash and Spyro are in Xbox’s domain now. Try telling that to someone from 1998. Then again, try telling someone from 1998 anything that’s happened within the past couple of years - their favourite mascots being owned by a rival game company probably wouldn’t be the most surprising thing.
Featured Image Credit: Naughty Dog/Sony, Toys for Bob, ActivisionTopics: Crash Bandicoot, PlayStation, Xbox, Activision