I use my PC with Linux and havent had Windows since 2000 (and back then, win 2000 and 98 I only had because of games). So yes, this move hurts me.

I guess there are quite a few around here like that. Then there are those who are MS fans, and those who are Sony fans.

And then there are actual CRPG fans, some being that for 30+ years, who don't give a toss about MS v Sony and all that crap, and who are aware that Obsidian is one of the last devs with folks from the olden golden days of CRPGs days who, at least in theory, have talent and knowledge to make proper CRPGs and not diluted mass market dreck with RPG coat of paint - so those folk don't want to see one of the last bastions of CRPGs bite the dust.

But then again, who knows - maybe MS gives them enough freedom and money - maybe they even get them license from one of the well known pen and paper RPGs and let them do their thing...time will tell.

Answers who has been asking for? Answers to what? What are you even talking about?

Because closing Rare would be the single most devastating PR move that Microsoft could make. Xbox One is already in such a dog house that it doesn't get exclusives anymore from it's parent company. The level of vitriolic hate they would get for buying an iconic studio, letting them fall into disuse, and then closing that studio would be topped only by E3 2013. Even if they never use them again, Microsoft is better off letting the studio rot than they would be burying it. They've made one game, one collection, and one distraction. The game turned out short and boring, the Collection is all old stuff, and the distraction is a joke Kinect title. They don't make plenty.

You don't get to strawman my argument three times and pretend to know what my logic would call for. You can't point to an outlier (and its pedigree does make it an outlier) and say that's proof enough. 

Azuren said:

 My answer was a factual reason why someone might be upset. The fact that you got defensive about it instead of saying, "I never thought about that, I don't consider it much of a detriment myself" pretty much ended the entire conversation before it started.

Rare being around doesn't mean closures didn't happen. You can make a big deal over it, but it's clearly an outlier and only a fool would continue to entertain the idea that it isn't.

Azuren said:

 My answer was a factual reason why someone might be upset. The fact that you got defensive about it instead of saying, "I never thought about that, I don't consider it much of a detriment myself" pretty much ended the entire conversation before it started.

Rare being around doesn't mean closures didn't happen. You can make a big deal over it, but it's clearly an outlier and only a fool would continue to entertain the idea that it isn't.

Chazore said:

mmn, I'm sure it does, and those that simply aren't interested or those that just don't buy from MS fall under that rule, which should be, ooh I dunno, a few billion out there...

No, you're fixated on MS being a part of everything and everything being a part of MS. You don't seem to understand what a company does and has done in the past, but you are far, far more willing to look past any and all evidence just to spite someone who doesn't share your viewpoint.

I don't buy their games, that's been made evident by me buying games on Steam, Battle.net and GoG. I actually do have other games, but do not once mistake me having other games for me not wanting to criticize a company nor wanting my games I want to play being bought up as something I wouldn't talk about, because I absolutely will talk about those instances when a buyout arises.

Also, I've bought Obsidian games, so don't even dare act as if they are already owned by MS, let alone credited for "designing" said existing IP's, because I know that's how you are viewing them right now. I'd love to see Obsidian making good games for everyone else to play, not just on Xbox and definitely not locked behind the objectively crappy Win 10 storefront either. Hah, Steam, I know you'd prefer MS being behind the budget any day, so leave that "I care equally for both" behind the door. 

It's a store not the store, and in it's current form, it is still nowhere near on the scale or level of features that Steam and the other clients have. I don't have to pretend anything, but maybe you should stop pretending that the WIn 10 store is perfect or above what Steam and others offer. 

The EEE strategy applies to their way of life as a whole. Why make deals with the competition when you can "embrace it", followed by "extending towards claiming it", followed by "extinguishing them" (which others have actually pointed out within this very thread). DO not tell me for a moment that they have dropped a strategy made famous, that actually works, for something else entirely, because so far, it's been in effect for so many years. 

"guess you'll have to avoid Obsidian", yeah, I'll be supporting someone who hasn't sold their soul to a corp like MS, and guess what?, they'll be better off for getting support from someone else than MS. 

I think you take being challenged very personally, especially when it's in the name of MS. Not once have you dropped your guard against anyone and you absolutely refuse any and fall fault within your logic. I think you really need to get a good long hard look at yourself mate.