Even though I prefer to deal in facts when it comes to investing, there are times when rumors are important. Here's one: Microsoft
According to News.com, Bill Gates refused to rule out a scenario under which third parties could make their own Xbox consoles, saying only that the company is always talking with partners about how to expand the so-called Xbox culture. I can appreciate Gates' need to be coy, but I'm soooooo hoping the rumor is true.
Think about how many Xbox clones there could be. Any game manufacturer is a potential customer. Think Sega would mind a shot at a comeback? Why not? It offers a full suite of games for Microsoft's console. Were Mr. Softy to open up the platform and offer agreeable licensing terms, making production relatively cheap, I see no reason why the company wouldn't offer a console bundled together with many of its popular games.
And then there's this scenario, suggested by a Foolish colleague this morning. What if Microsoft makes licensing so easy that the guts of the Xbox could be built right into your TV? You can bet good money that executives from Toshiba, Samsung, and Matsushita
It's tempting to read this rumor and wonder whether Microsoft could do to Sony
Scratch your itch for more gaming news with this related Foolishness:
- Mr. Softy hung out at MTV's crib to promote the Xbox not long ago.
- Watch out! The attack of the consoles is upon us.
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Activision
(NASDAQ:ATVI) has already pledged allegiance to Microsoft. Who's next?
Bigger is often better, especially when it comes to stocks. See what our top Foolish analysts have selected as the best blue-chip stocks to hold over the next decade. Or sign up for any of our investing newsletters today and get the report free. Activision and Dell are selections of the Motley Fool Stock Advisor newsletter service.
Fool contributor Tim Beyers at one time held the high score for Super Punch Out at his local arcade. Tim didn't own shares in any of the companies mentioned in this story at the time of publication. You can find out what's in his portfolio by checking Tim's Fool profile, which is here. The Motley Fool has an iron-clad disclosure policy.