Is software giant Microsoft about to purchase Pokemon manufacturer Game Freak?
When Microsoft bought Rare a few years ago it shook the gaming community to its core. Rare, which had been a partner of Nintendo’s for decades and released popular games such as the original Donkey Kong Country games on the Super Nintendo, and the Killer Instinct franchise was no longer a partner, but now a competitor – going so far to spit in the eye of Nintendo and release Killer Instinct on the Xbox One.
Then late last year it was announced that Microsoft bought Minecraft creator Mojang which was another blow to the gaming community’s psyche. Now rumors are swirling that Game Freak, best known for creating the Pokemon franchise exclusive for Nintendo platforms might be in Microsoft’s sites.
“It’s a smart move, and reinforces Microsoft’s commitment to dominate the gaming industry,” says Ashley Blake of MDXS Investments, “Nintendo’s iron grip on Pikachu, Bulbasaur and the rest of the gang might be at its end.”
The rumor started after a leaked photo of an Xbox Live cards with a drawing of Charmander, Jiggly Puff and Chancie appeared on the Twitter account of a Game Freak employee. The photo and account have since been deleted.
