If Sony had bought them you would all be gnashing your teeth.
In anycase I was never a fan of weird console RPGs, FFVII was the only one I ever got into, I played a little FF8 but it got retarded after a point.
Some people like JRPGs some don't. I
can tell you though that most players of JRPGs play for the story and characters. Take Final Fantasy 6 for example, amazing story, kickass plot twist, probably the most insane villain ever. Also see Skies of Arcadia, the story may be cliche but it has the most outstanding cast of characters in any RPG to date. Anyway the general consensus is that FF8 is regarded by many fans of the series as one of the worst Final Fantasys.
And in actually if Sony bought Monolith I would not be gnashing my teeth whatsoever. I'd be like, ehh.