Either way from a gaming perspective ... the Playstation brand would be kaput in this scenario. 

Microsoft would have no need for it as the XBox brand already serves the exact same demographic and that's their own baby that they've invested years into. You're also probably talking about a mass exodus from Sony's game studios if this happened (ie: how's Polypony Digital going to feel when MS insists they shove out a new Gran Turismo every 2 years? Half the team would probably leave). This same thing happened with Rare. 

Getting rid of the Playstation entirely would leave them the entire hardcore industry basically unchallenged. I mean maybe Nintendo could muster up a little fight for that demographic, but realistically it wouldn't be much of a fight. 

The music industry has collapsed, the movie studio (Columbia) is up and down, and the PC division -- really what's there that Microsoft would really need? Is Sony even one of the top three PC manufacturers? They're certainly not strong in the areas Microsoft needs help in -- the tablet market. 

So by what you mean is that Sony has less worth than it had in 30 years ago? Despite the same stock points?

the music industry has not collapsed, they just want us to think it has, revenues and profits grew in the last year, but MS does not care about that, its the content they would want for other ventrues and to have a card against Apple, same with laptops, while not in the top end volume wise they are still respected for thier products and simply keeping them around as a high end niche builder to show the way or set the tone for other builders of laptops would be worth it, someone to challenge Apple on a design front.

I do agree there would be Mass exodus, but who knows maybe a new player emerges Steam console perhaps, studios will be closed/ spun off, new ones will form, studios will have to put games out more frequently or get canned unless they find a new sugar daddy, i doubt even sony will let polyphony get away with the bull they pulled this gen next, (really was a let down for all the time they took, as was square/enix)

I dont know about that. I mean how is sony making quality TVs? They basically buy slightly above average samsung panels (samsung keeps the best panels for themselves) and build some piano black plastic around it. Sony is not really making own TVs anymore.

Purchasing Sony is well within Apple's capabilities. It would potentially go a long way in building up their Apple TV line with all the movies, music, games, and other franchises that Sony owns. They could literally push all of the junk off of the plate and start it over again as a fresh company with a very large back library which they have absolute control over.

Outside of the Playstation brand, there isn't much there that Apple needs. And honestly if Apple decided to make a serious push into the game market they probably would eat Sony alive. 

The Sony brand if anything would be a liability. 

No one wants a Sony iPhone. They want an APPLE iPhone. 

Also I think any purchase/take over of Sony by a Western entity in effect would crush the spirit of Sony in a lot of ways. Sony under the control of foreigners wouldn't sit well in Japan, the board of Sony probably would have to resign for starters. 

If you relaxed... then  yes, it was a great contribution, you clearly need it.

I applaud speculation, but there is a stunning naivete going on in this thread. Microsoft and Nintendo are unlike Sony in that they aren't collectors. They prefer to subcontract out, build their own studios, or bulk up existing studios. To be blunt even if a really good Sony studios were up for sale. Neither party would be apt to buy unless it was priced at a substantial discount. Both Microsoft and Nintendo have substantial reserves of capitol, and haven't utilized that to go on a acquisition spree this generation. Even when it would have been a real shot in the arm for their lineups.

What is even more troubling is the naivete when it comes to how Sony operates. Sony is actually more apt to go raze its studios before going to the trouble of selling them. Sony views assets as expendable rather then as long term prospects for resale. Sony is more slash and burn then it is conserve and nurture. The net result is that Sony streamlines studios to suit their needs, and their needs alone. Making them a hard sell to other companies. Which brings us back to the point studios are like food to Sony. The company eats studios, and what comes out the far side is nothing like what came in the front. Sony really does eat its own. It just doesn't maintain a high resale value.

As for the talk about Apple I am not sure where this thinking is coming from. Apple doesn't need any of what you guys think Sony has, and if Sony is performing poorly. Then why would Apple want to acquire Sony. It wouldn't even be a good fit remotely. I will say this however the Japanese populace would probably be supportive of say a Western company acquiring Sony if the alternatives are bankruptcy, or it being acquired by a Chinese company. If you don't understand what I am getting at just look up war atrocities.

Anyway all this talk about Sony selling studios that would have to be sold at a severe discount seems premature. It is just antithetical to the entire situation. In both directions no less. Selling studios isn't in Sony's nature, and the market for what they have would have to be fairly soft. Sony isn't in great shape, but I don't see it as being in such a desperate state.

lol

oh shit that's spam

lol no

Many people dont take inflation into account.