The list of Microsoft's acquisitions from the past several years seems to grow in size and stature without pause. Activision Blizzard's joining with Microsoft is just the latest example, but also the largest by many times over. With years yet before Microsoft's new game studios start making Xbox games built from the ground up, it's somewhat difficult to visualize exactly what these acquisitions mean for the company. An image shared on Twitter of many of Microsoft's iconic game characters helps show exactly what this new Xbox looks like.The image comes from photographer and graphic designer benkenobi2020, who put together a banner dubbed "House of Xbox." The banner features nearly 50 notable characters, each originating from one of Microsoft's current (or soon-to-be) franchises. It's an impressive, exciting, and stark reminder of just how much Microsoft has bought over the past several years. What started on June 11, 2018, with the acquisitions of Ninja Theory, Undead Labs, Compulsion Games, and Playground Games, has led to now, with the acquisition of Activision Blizzard.As noted, nearly 50 characters are featured in benkenobi2020's image. This includes Xbox's homegrown IP, including Master Chief, a Halo grunt, and Gears of War's Marcus Fenix. Then there are "older" acquisitions from prior to 2018, like Minecraft's Steve and a creeper, as well as several Rare characters like Banjo-Kazooie, Conker, and the team from Jet Force Gemini. Add in 2018 acquisition IP like Hellblade's Senua, Wasteland 3's survivor, and Ori. Then the fun begins.
Bethesda, acquired in late 2020, is understandably well-represented. Doomguy and a cacodemon, Wolfenstein's B.J. Blaskowicz, a Prey mimic, Dishonored 2's Emily Kaldwin, and even Deathloop's Colt Vahn. But a majority of the space is for Activision Blizzard. Spyro, Warcraft's Thrall, Tony Hawk, Captain John Price of Call of Duty fame, the candy from Candy Crush, Diablo and Tyrael, Crash Bandicoot, Tracer from Overwatch, and Tychus from StarCraft are all included. There's even a Guitar Hero guitar.
In just four years, Microsoft has gone from a platform best known for Halo and Gears of War to, pending the closure of Activision Blizzard's acquisition, a home for what could be the industry's largest library of popular IP. This image isn't just fun, it's shocking.
The image is also a reminder and a warning for Microsoft. Owning this much IP means players will have raised their expectations of Xbox and each of its projects. It's not going to be enough to put out the next Call of Duty. Players will want to see their favorite games improve by becoming a part of Microsoft, something that's much more difficult than simply acquiring the IP in the first place.