Postlatta Mouseanon
Caldari State War Academy
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Posted - 2007.10.17 11:43:00 -
[151]
Microsoft acquiring CCP meets one of my conditions for ditching EVE as a game.
It might seem whiny, but I do *everything* I can to vote with my money. I work very hard to avoid giving Microsoft any money.
Having been professionally in the "midst" of two Microsoft "business maneuvers", and seeing/living the damage of others, when Microsoft shows up on the scene with their fat wallet- I generally walk away.
Example #1: Apple Computer Inc.
Back when I worked closely with Apple, I had the wonderful experience of spending long stretches (weeks) of summer on the Infinite Loop. Years back while sitting in R&D 4 on the Apple campus, it was announced that Steve Jobs was returning as CEO. It was announced not long after that Microsoft was investing $150 million in Apple and continuing to develop Microsoft Office.
The lie: Microsoft saved Apple.
The truth: Apple had 4 Billion CASH in the bank. The deal was about some settlements and keeping Microsoft Office on the Mac.
The outcome: Internet Explorer was made the default web browser, and Cyberdog (Apple's excellent internet suite) was killed. Development of Apple's own office tools suffered.
Who lost: Apple users.
Example #2: ResNova
A small company called Resnova developed a little software package called Personal Web Sharing. However they also made an incredible software suite that allowed people to create and deploy their own personal "AOL-like" system. In fact, the Novalink Information server had TCP capability, the ability to handle USENET feeds, and SMTP e-mail in 1994. Many small companies based their business on this software.
Microsoft bought out Resnova to get their hands on Personal Web Sharing, killed the Novalink Professional Information Server, and shortly after rolled Personal Web Sharing into Internet Explorer for th Mac.
Outcome: Microsoft summarily killed a product which affected quite a few small businesses. Even though that product had apparently been profitable.
Who lost: Small specialized internet business.
Example #3: Bungie Software
Bungie, a Chicago based game studio, was acquired by Microsoft in summer 2000. Bungie, who owned the IP for a great many game franchises, wanted Microsoft's distribution- Microsoft wanted their intellectual property and to get their hands on an upcoming game called Halo.
Outcome: Microsoft stopped the development of Halo on the Mac (was to be a Mac first title), and developed it for X-Box instead with a 2001 release date. It was an X-Box exclusive. No PC version of Halo was available until 2003. All other software franchises made by Bungie were never developed further. The games Myth, Marathon, Oni, and Pathways into Darkness were never revisited. Microsoft proceeded to squeeze the last drop of blood out of Halo.
Who lost: Gamers.
Microsoft acquisitions tend to leave a bad flavor in my mouth. For good reasons.
Errors in the previous are due to memory.
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