Analyst predicts that Sony is going to buy a major game publisher

Dr. Serkan Toto, from analytics firm Kantan Games Inc., predicts that Sony may acquire a major gaming company in response to Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, according to a piece on Games Industry. Toto suggests that Sony is under pressure to react, especially after it had previously acquired Bungie, adding, "I foresee more investments and acquisitions by PlayStation, which includes a big one that makes a meaningful impact."

In the same report, however, Karol Severin, analyst at Midia Research, opines that it is unlikely for Sony to acquire a publisher as sizable as Take-Two Interactive. Severin posits Sony might instead opt for a synergistic approach involving films, television, games, and music by launching a subscription service that consolidates these elements. "It's increasingly challenging to compete with Sony based solely on games. As a response, Sony could acquire a large company like Take-Two, but that's improbable," Severin conjectures.

Microsoft officially finalized its acquisition of Activision Blizzard just last Friday, thereby gaining ownership of prominent franchises such as World of Warcraft, Diablo, Candy Crush, Call of Duty, and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, as well as studios like Infinity Ward, Toys for Bob, Sledgehammer Games, Treyarch, and Raven Software. More information about the acquisition is available here.

nMore about the author: Michel Musters has been a part of Gamer.nl's editorial team since 2007, focusing mainly on providing news. He enjoys playing on pretty much every system, with a particular fondness for The Legend of Zelda and Hollow Knight. He eagerly anticipates the improbable release of a new Wave Race.