Expecting Microsoft to reinvigorate the various Activision/Blizzard franchises seems like wishful thinking to me. The priority would more like be optimizing th

Expecting Microsoft to reinvigorate the various Activision/Blizzard franchises seems like wishful thinking to me. The priority would more like be optimizing the games for the XBox platform. IMO, the rise of the gaming console has been a net negative for deep, complex games on the PC, examples like Crusader Kings notwithstanding. The earlier generation of PC gamers grew up on Avalon Hill strategy games, Strat-o-Matic, D&D, chess, and the like. We were used to complexity and looked for it in games. Recent generations, generally, are less depth focused. Since retiring, I don't have a staff of 20 something programmers to keep me apprised of gaming developments. Most of what I get is from here and other reading. Yes, there are exceptions. Folks here have stated that Paradox tends to make games that verge on obtuse complexity. I'm sure there are some new original games out there, but generally clones and remastered oldies seem to dominate the market and the headlines. Personally, I wouldn't expect much from Microsoft. And sooner or later, companies generally will realize that the cloud is not their friend.