Microsoft, which just acquired Bethesda, is apparently in talks to acquire several Japanese studios, Bloomberg reported: "Several Japan-based game developers, ranging from small to large, said (Microsoft) has approached them about buying their businesses." The developers in question, who wished to remain anonymous, echo a statement made by Xbox head Phil Spencer last year that he hoped to find an Asian studio, especially one in Japan.

Microsoft is at a disadvantage in Japan. According to Famitsu, the Xbox One accounts for only 0.1% of this year's console sales in Japan. However, both the Xbox Series S (small enough to fit in even the smallest Japanese living room) and Xbox Game Pass could help improve Microsoft's position in the world's third largest video game market. If the company were to acquire Platinum Games, that would not be a bad idea. (Rumors of Platinum being acquired by Micorosoft have been denied in the past by studio head Atsushi Inaba.)

The report concludes that while both China and the U.S. are large video game markets these days, Japan is the largest per capita spender. And that must be attractive to a company that has already acquired Mojang, Double Fine Productions, inXile Entertainment, and Obsidian and is not done yet according to CEO Satya Nadella.