In January, Microsoft revealed its plans to acquire Activision Blizzard, one of the biggest publishers in the gaming world. The acquisition has a hefty $68.7 billion price tag attached to it, and once the acquisition is finalized, Microsoft will be the third-largest gaming company by revenue, with only Sony and Tencent ahead of it. Microsoft seems to be on a spending spree, becausethe Activision Blizzard acquisitioncomes after its acquisition of ZeniMax Media in 2021. Sony has not been staying out of the acquisition game and, following a string of acquisitions in 2021, it announced in 2022 that it would be acquiring Bungie for $3.6 billion.
With all the acquisitions going on, gamers have begun to grow concerned about the future of many franchises, and whether previously multi-platform franchises will become exclusives. One of the franchises that seem to have an uncertain future isSpyro, a series that was once synonymous with PlayStation but now, curiously, finds itself owned by Microsoft.Spyro’s new home could mean a rejuvenation of the franchise, but it could also find itself forgotten in favor of more popular IPs.
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Spyro the Dragon’s Convoluted History
TheSpyrofranchise is one that features the platformingadventures of Spyro the Dragon. The first game, released in 1998, features Spyro going on a hunt to recover stolen dragon eggs and beat the evil Gnasty Gnorc. Spyro may be small and cute, but he is very capable, and he can overcome almost any obstacle with his wide wings and his fiery dragon breath.
The game was developed by Insomniac Games (which, at the time, was not yet owned by Sony) and released on the original PlayStation.Spyrowas a hit, and it drew in enough gamers to warrant a sequel titledSpyro 2: Ripto’s Ragewhich was released in 1999 on the PlayStation. By the time the thirdSyprogame,Spyro: Year of the Dragon, was released, the purple dragon was an iconic character in gaming.
After the original trilogy, things changed for theSpyroseries.Digital Eclipse developed manySpyrogames, includingSpyro: Season of Ice,Spyro 2: Season of Flame, andSpyro: Attack of the Rhynocs, which were all released on the Game Boy Advance. Amaze Entertainment would also have a change with theSpyroseries, and it developedSpyro: Shadow Legacyfor the Nintendo DS.Spyrowould also receive home console releases throughSpyro: A Hero’s Tailwhich was released on the GameCube, PS2, and Xbox in 2004, andSpyro: Enter the Dragonwhich was released on PS2 and GameCube in 2002.
Spyro Gets Reignited
After a brief hiatus, Spyro returned to the gaming world withThe Legend of Spyrotrilogy, which acts as a series reboot. The trilogy, which was released between 2006 and 2008, was released on multiple platforms and introducednew adventures for Spyro. However, the games did not fair too well with critics, and the trilogy failed to return the series its previous heights.
Spyro got yet another chance a life with Activision who purchased the IP in 2008. Although it took many years, Activision finally published anotherSpyrogame in 2018.TheSpyro Reignited Trilogy, developed by Toys for Bob, took the originalSpyrotrilogy and remade it for modern audiences. The remake received mostly positive reviews, with many critics praising the way the games remained faithful to the original trilogy, while including improvements where necessary. Most important, theSpyro Reignited Trilogyreminded many gamers of the fun that can be had exploring Dragon Kingdom with Spyro.
What Lies in Spyro’s Future?
With the recent acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Spyro’s IP now lies in the hands of Microsoft. This could be a blessing in disguiseforSpyro, as Microsoft’s deep pocketscould mean the series will receive the love and attention it deserves. Gamers could even see a new AAASpyrogame that takes the classic platforming fun of the series and adapts it for modern gamers.
There are some potential negatives that are also worth considering. After a string of acquisitions, Microsoft now has a very impressive lineup of IPs under its umbrella. Beside blockbustertitles likeCall of Duty,Overwatch, andWorld of Warcraft, Microsoft might decide thatSpyrosimply is not worth the effort when other IPs promise greater profits. If Microsoft does decide thatSpyroshould return, there is also the issue of exclusivity to consider. Spyro was once a PlayStation exclusive and now the series could find itself as an Xbox exclusive.
Gamers would not lose anything being optimistic, however, as Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer has stated that he would love to see games from his childhood, such asGuitar Hero, make a reappearance. Hopefully,Spyrohas left enough of an impacton Spencer to trigger the development of moreSpyrogames.
Spyro Reignited Trilogyis available on the Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
