After hinting at the company’s future projects, PlatinumGames CEO Atsushi Inaba gave us another possibility on future endeavors. In an interview with Video Game Chronicles, Inaba was discussing the earth-shattering news of Microsoft buying Activision Blizzard when he was then asked about the potential for PlatinumGames being bought out. Inaba stated that he was open to any offers from companies, but only if his studio was “afforded the kind of independence he expects Microsoft to offer Activision once its deal is completed.”

PlatinumGames’ new president Atsushi Inaba has said he wouldn’t dismiss acquisition discussions, “as long as our freedom was still respected”.https://t.co/yqVi1xP08O pic.twitter.com/03sqpFCGWr

— VGC (@VGC_News) February 14, 2022

According to Inaba, he thinks that Microsoft will allow Activision Blizzard to continue acting autonomously with little to no interference from their new potential owners. “I think there’s going to be a lot of mutual respect there and I think Activision will be able to continue doing what they do best. That’s also what’s most important to us at the end of the day, whatever form that takes for us and our company.” This is something that repeatedly came up when the acquisition took place which Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer attempted to quell when he announced that he spoke with Sony leaders about current title agreements and future endeavors with new ones.

Inaba clearly thinks that Microsoft will allow Activision Blizzard to remain and continue to create titles for other systems. While this may be true in some aspect, it’s more than likely that Microsoft will make an IP or two exclusives to the Xbox/PC platform down the line. PlatinumGames is one of the most respected and revered Japanese developers, creating some of the most popular action-adventure titles in recent memory. This includes Bayonetta, Vanquish, The Wonderful 101, and Metal Gear Rising to name a few.

Inaba also spoke on why more Western developers seem to consolidate much more frequently than Japanese developers, something that has surprised him. “I think it’s weird, For some of these big companies with all their money you sometimes think, ‘come on! Buy some companies up already!’ It does feel strange to see Japanese companies being passive all of the time.” The reasons why this is the case can stem from any number of possibilities, but it more than likely boils down to one major aspect that Inaba has already touched on, the ability to be free in a creative sense, as well as be multilateral when it comes to developing for other systems. Should a future buyer come along and make an offer, this will be something that Inaba wants from any potential deal, the ability to keep their independence.