Independent game developers have expressed concerns that Microsoft's proposed $69bn (£51bn) acquisition of Activision Blizzard could make it harder for small studios to compete. The deal, which would be the largest in video game history, has raised fears that subscription services like Game Pass may dominate the market, leaving indie titles struggling for visibility.
Tanya Short, director of Kitfox Games, which created the quirky title Boyfriend Dungeon, said the acquisition 'strikes fear' in indie developers. She noted that small studios already avoid launching near Christmas due to big releases like Call of Duty, and greater consolidation could extend that pressure year-round.
Yura Zhdanovich of Sad Cat Studios, whose game Replaced will launch on Game Pass, praised Microsoft's current support but worried about future backing for indies. Analyst Piers Harding-Rolls of Ampere Analysis warned that if gamers shift entirely to subscription services, indie games outside those platforms might lose engagement.
Jake Simpson of TNB Studios described a 'race to the bottom' in revenue, noting that over half of indie games on Steam have earned less than $4,000. Mike Cook, an AI researcher at Queen Mary University of London, highlighted an 'overcrowding' problem that makes it hard for good games to find an audience.
