*By Michael Teich* High-flying gaming headset maker Turtle Beach could find itself a buyer in Microsoft. That's according to D.A. Davidson senior research analyst Tom Forte, who told Cheddar the company could be an acquisition target as the Xbox-maker angles to become a bigger player in the video game world. "I would argue Microsoft could just as well buy Turtle Beach rather than try to come up with Microsoft's own lineup of console headsets," Forte said. "Their sweet spot is really the console, and not necessarily the accessories." While Forte believes Microsoft ($MSFT) has cachet with esports gamers thanks to the Xbox, he thinks the challenge would ultimately be to create a headset that is technologically superior to what Turtle Beach ($HEAR) offers. Even high-end audio companies like Beats, owned by Apple ($AAPL), have trouble breaking into the esports business. "No disrespect to Beats, but this isn't really about marketing dollars. It's about who's offering me the best technology so I can play the games I like as effective as possible," Forte said. Turtle Beach makes headsets for a variety of consoles, including PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One. Shares have soared this year, fueled by the viral popularity of social games like mega-hit "Fortnite," which posted a new record monthly player count of 78 million in August. And though the stock has pulled back from its highs of early August, they're still up more than 1,000 percent in 2018. For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/microsoft-could-buy-turtle-beach-says-analyst-tom-forte).

Share:
More In Business
Bumble CEO to Step Down
Bumble, the female-focused dating app, announced that Whitney Wolf Hurd, the company's founder and CEO, will step down in January.
What You Need to Know About VA Loans
With interest rates high, housing inventory low and Veterans Day just around the corner, Cheddar News took a look at how the current market is impacting those who served and continue to serve our country. Patton Gade, national director of military lending with UMortgage, explains how a VA loan works, its benefits and what's involved in the process of purchasing a home.
Stretching Your Dollar: Making the Most of Your Reward Credit Cards
Credit card usage is sure to tick up ahead of the holiday season. With cashback, airline miles and points to be earned, reward credit cards could give you a bonus. Grant Gallagher, associate vice president and head of financial well-being with Affinity Federal Credit Union, spoke with Cheddar News about why it's important to take advance of those rewards.
Load More