Microsoft / Activision Deal Approval Watch |OT| (MS/ABK close)

Do you believe the deal will be approved?


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Take it up with CADE. They seem to think Sony will be just fine if a 3rd party title is hypothetically removed from PlayStation (hint: it won't be). They provided over 80 pages of analysis. I'd love to see your work proving them wrong. Should be pretty easy since you are so logical after all.

I'm not speaking with CADE am I? You made the argument. Own it
 
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The same argument could be made with MS and Game pass and cloud services. They too are differentiating themselves from the other competitors in this space (different power level consoles, day one first party titles in a sub service, access to games via cloud on mobile devices, not needing a console to access new games). To try and argue that Nintendo isn't actually competing for those same video game dollars doesn't make any sense at all. You can argue Sony and Nintendo have more in common business practice wise than MS yet they are all competitors in this market.
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Xbox are the biggest player in the subscription/cloud market already, Nintendo proving that they can carve out their own niche (and no, they aren't competing for the same pool that Sony and MS are) after being in the industry for decades has no bearing on whether there can be future subscription/cloud competitors.

What's with the desperate attempts to twist logic. Since the Wii it's been widely accepted that Nintendo are going after a different market. Let's not try to twist the truth.
 
Just like arsenal. MS biggest enemy is themselves. They always find away to shoot themselves down. Even when they have success right in front of them.

Expect them to do some crazy shit.
You're talking about a company worth roughly 1.75 trillion like the place is filled with idiots barely bumbling their way through the day lmao the delusion of this place is wonderful.
 
The same argument could be made with MS and Game pass and cloud services. They too are differentiating themselves from the other competitors in this space (different power level consoles, day one first party titles in a sub service, access to games via cloud on mobile devices, not needing a console to access new games). To try and argue that Nintendo isn't actually competing for those same video game dollars doesn't make any sense at all. You can argue Sony and Nintendo have more in common business practice wise than MS yet they are all competitors in this market.
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Its actually MS internal document that made the CMA think that Nintendo is not considered a competitor.
 
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I hope the deal goes through and Microsoft just refuses to develop another Call of Duty because I'm sick of fucking hearing about it.

Now, another Singularity? Yes please.
Singularity? Hell yeah. I'd be far more interested in that than anything else from A/B/K.
 
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Its actually MS internal document that made the CMA think that Nintendo is not considered a competitor.
It's interesting to see this argument on a website where we have argued about the big 3 being "at war" for years.

Does this also mean Sony isn't a competitor of Nintendo? Who would be a competitor to Nintendo in this scenario?
 
It's interesting to see this argument on a website where we have argued about the big 3 being "at war" for years.

Does this also mean Sony isn't a competitor of Nintendo? Who would be a competitor to Nintendo in this scenario?
Nintendo are a monopoly and must be broken up by the CMA at this point. I'm writing my letter to them now.
 
A lot of information is missing from those statements. Sony is the company actively removing or blocking content from Xbox and Game pass not Nintendo so I can see MS looking at them more closely. Doesn't mean that if a parent goes to a store a Nintendo console isn't a viable choice. There are only so many dollars and time to go around and if you have spent money/time on a Nintendo product you wouldn't have any left for a Sony or MS one. I am stunned to see people honestly try and argue that Nintendo isn't a game console competitor any longer. I wonder if they got the memo?

I'm not speaking with CADE am I? You made the argument. Own it
I largely agree with their position. Deal with it.

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Xbox are the biggest player in the subscription/cloud market already, Nintendo proving that they can carve out their own niche (and no, they aren't competing for the same pool that Sony and MS are) after being in the industry for decades has no bearing on whether there can be future subscription/cloud competitors.

What's with the desperate attempts to twist logic. Since the Wii it's been widely accepted that Nintendo are going after a different market. Let's not try to twist the truth.
Pretty sure PS+ has the largest number of subscribers in a game subscription service. As I mentioned earlier there is a limited pool of consumers and money. The idea that Nintendo doesn't take away from that is laughable. Their products aren't free right? There has been no proof that cloud streaming or subscriptions will replace the traditional retail model hence why MS still sells games at retail.

The only twisted logic is trying to argue that Nintendo is no longer a video game console platform maker competing with both Sony and MS for video game dollars. It is not like they are selling sandwiches people. The fact they can do more than plug into a TV is just like MS not needing the console to play their games, or Sony having an entire media company and appliance operation backing them up. Competition isn't limited to doing the same exact thing as your competitors.

It's interesting to see this argument on a website where we have argued about the big 3 being "at war" for years.

Does this also mean Sony isn't a competitor of Nintendo? Who would be a competitor to Nintendo in this scenario?
Yup. Even the CMA initially considers Nintendo a video game console competitor then changes their mind since their entire argument for Sony hinges on there only being two game console makers not three. There are three console platform holders like it or not.
 
It's interesting to see this argument on a website where we have argued about the big 3 being "at war" for years.

Does this also mean Sony isn't a competitor of Nintendo? Who would be a competitor to Nintendo in this scenario?
Is that a novel concept to you?

They've sold well over half a billion handheld consoles. The nearest competitor, laughably, was the PSP.

Do you think the Wii and Wii U were actually trying to attract the PS/Xbox crowd?

Nintendo's competition, if they have to have one, is more the smart phone market than it is PS/Xbox.
 
Pretty sure PS+ has the largest number of subscribers in a game subscription service.
Holy fuck are you actually saying this again to me? Again!? Really!?

I guess time really is a very short circle.

As I mentioned earlier there is a limited pool of consumers and money. The idea that Nintendo doesn't take away from that is laughable. Their products aren't free right?
The DS and Wii sold a combined 250m units.

The 3DS and Wii U sold a combined 95m units.

The 155m differential didn't rush out to buy an Xbox or PS.

PS user base caps out between 90-120m units normally, with the PS2 being an outlier.

Xbox caps out between 60-80m.

There's been no growth in that cap in the console market.

There has been no proof that cloud streaming or subscriptions will replace the traditional retail model hence why MS still sells games at retail.
No one needs to prove that it will.

The only twisted logic is trying to argue that Nintendo is no longer a video game console platform maker
They are.
competing with both Sony and MS for video game dollars.
They aren't.

Yup. Even the CMA initially considers Nintendo a video game console competitor then changes their mind
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since their entire argument for Sony hinges on there only being two game console makers not three. There are three console platform holders like it or not.

There are three console platform holders. And 2 of them compete for the same mindshare.

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Is that a novel concept to you?

They've sold well over half a billion handheld consoles. The nearest competitor, laughably, was the PSP.

Do you think the Wii and Wii U were actually trying to attract the PS/Xbox crowd?

Nintendo's competition, if they have to have one, is more the smart phone market than it is PS/Xbox.
Yeah, this is literally the definition of a novel concept lol it goes against common logic and basic understanding of the gaming industry.

Legal arguments and common sense don't always meet up but let's not pretend that saying Nintenso doesn't have a competitor is an industry standard.
 
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Its actually MS internal document that made the CMA think that Nintendo is not considered a competitor.
Ive been saying this for a while now. Nintendo releasing the switch effectively left the console industry to Sony and Microsoft. They are now exclusively a handheld company. All of their first party studios make games for a console that is effectively a handheld in disguise.
 
Sony is the company actively removing or blocking content from Xbox and Game pass not Nintendo so I can see MS looking at them more closely.

The wording of the contract:

"During the term, Publisher shall not authorise, assist or encourage any third party to include the game in any Competetive Platform subscription service, including but not limited to Google Stadia Pro subscriptions, Microsoft's Xbox Live Gold, Project xCloud or Game Pass subscription service or similar Competetive Platform subscription service,"

Nintendo would be included in the bolded text. Gamepass isn't the only subscription service mentioned, stop crying.
 
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You're in the right place to not back up your own statements, a discussion forum.

Can't wait for more insight from you.
I have no interesting insights, just comments to add when I am bored and have free time.

Not my fault you take this place too serious and expect some type of debate with links and citations. You wouldn't respect a good faith honest debate anyway, that is made obvious by your previous posts.

Enjoy this website for what it is and try not to care so much. Also, stop liking and reacting to eachothers posts so much, it's weird (you know who you are).
 
I have no interesting insights, just comments to add when I am bored and have free time.

Not my fault you take this place too serious and expect some type of debate with links and citations. You wouldn't respect a good faith honest debate anyway, that is made obvious by your previous posts.

Enjoy this website for what it is and try not to care so much. Also, stop liking and reacting to eachothers posts so much, it's weird (you know who you are).

Gave you a reaction since you care about it so much (y)
 
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I have no interesting insights, just comments to add when I am bored and have free time.

Not my fault you take this place too serious and expect some type of debate with links and citations. You wouldn't respect a good faith honest debate anyway, that is made obvious by your previous posts.

Enjoy this website for what it is and try not to care so much. Also, stop liking and reacting to eachothers posts so much, it's weird (you know who you are).
I come here, a niche gaming enthusiast board, to talk to people about one of my passions in life, shocking I know. I wouldn't expect anything in good faith from you either, as you can't even back up your own statements.

'Try not to care so much' from a man so full of himself he thinks he can tell others how they should interact with a website :messenger_tears_of_joy:
 
Ive been saying this for a while now. Nintendo releasing the switch effectively left the console industry to Sony and Microsoft. They are now exclusively a handheld company. All of their first party studios make games for a console that is effectively a handheld in disguise.
Here is the visualisation Microsoft supplied in their own phase 2 submission to the CMA

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Look at the 2017 console wedge at the bottom - when they state the Switch released - and then look at the top where the handheld market disappears at the identical increase of home consoles. So, as you say it is a handheld in disguise and the data provided by Microsoft backs that up.
 
Absolutely insane to see folks give so much importance to what Brazil thinks. Some of you guys need to brush up on your world knowledge and the political situation in different places, what CADE thinks about this is absolutely irrelevant.

Phil Spencer latest on a long run of spinning pivots is "this is really about COD mobile and we will treat it like Minecraft on other systems" tells you the regulating bodies that actually matter are talking shop.
 
The wording of the contract:

"During the term, Publisher shall not authorise, assist or encourage any third party to include the game in any Competetive Platform subscription service, including but not limited to Google Stadia Pro subscriptions, Microsoft's Xbox Live Gold, Project xCloud or Game Pass subscription service or similar Competetive Platform subscription service,"

Nintendo would be included in the bolded text. Gamepass isn't the only subscription service mentioned, stop crying.

But that leaked contract is for a game that wasn't even on Switch at the time that contract was written.

And if we take that as a generic template for Sony contracts, they don't even bother mentioning Nintendo and/or Switch online by name, instead relegating them to the "miscellaneous" segment which could include anything, including Tiger.com.

The priority list on what is and isn't considered important enough to block by name is kinda obvious ..
 
But that leaked contract is for a game that wasn't even on Switch at the time that contract was written.

And if we take that as a generic template for Sony contracts, they don't even bother mentioning Nintendo and/or Switch online by name, instead relegating them to the "miscellaneous" segment which could include anything, including Tiger.com.

The priority list on what is and isn't considered important enough to block by name is kinda obvious ..
Got some fanboys fighting for their lives that Nintendo are a direct rival to Sony/MS but then another completely contradicting it and saying Sony can't even be arsed to name Nintendo as a competitor in their contracts.

Getting whiplash in here.
 
Got some fanboys fighting for their lives that Nintendo are a direct rival to Sony/MS but then another completely contradicting it and saying Sony can't even be arsed to name Nintendo as a competitor in their contracts.

Getting whiplash in here.

Huh ?

That was in reference to DarkMage619 DarkMage619 s post, neither Sonys obvious contract wording about excluding services from their contracts nor CMAs rebuttal to the deal qualify Nintendo as a viable competitive entity...

You should contact CMA and their commentary about Nintendo being a non entity in this deal to alleviate the whiplash.
 
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But that leaked contract is for a game that wasn't even on Switch at the time that contract was written.

And if we take that as a generic template for Sony contracts, they don't even bother mentioning Nintendo and/or Switch online by name, instead relegating them to the "miscellaneous" segment which could include anything, including Tiger.com.

The priority list on what is and isn't considered important enough to block by name is kinda obvious ..

Are you for real?

What the hell do you think "any but not limited to" means? It's not about relegation, it's about listing the most common industry examples to ensure the reader of said contract can clearly understand what the clause means.

How do you want them to list Nintendo's version of gamepass when it doesn't exist? You want them to mention Switch Online when it only includes classic games?

For just one moment use your brain, please.
 
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Huh ?

That was in reference to DarkMage619 DarkMage619 s post, neither Sonys obvious contract wording about excluding services from their contracts nor CMAs rebuttal to the deal qualify Nintendo as a viable competitive entity...

You should contact CMA and their commentary about Nintendo being a non entity in this deal to alleviate the whiplash.
Clear as mud.
 
You're talking about a company worth roughly 1.75 trillion like the place is filled with idiots barely bumbling their way through the day lmao the delusion of this place is wonderful.
That Mr wonderful trillion dollar company, thought that a TV Ad campaign was a good idea, for a gaming' event.

You are thinking too highly of them.

MS still hasn't fixed their windows store. I expect them to mess up their way, like they always do.
 
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I come here, a niche gaming enthusiast board, to talk to people about one of my passions in life, shocking I know. I wouldn't expect anything in good faith from you either, as you can't even back up your own statements.

'Try not to care so much' from a man so full of himself he thinks he can tell others how they should interact with a website :messenger_tears_of_joy:
Fair enough, not the first time I've been accused of being self righteous/ full of myself lol I just post whatever is on my mind in relation to the topic I'm responding too. How you interpret that message is on you.

The fact that you expect everyone to "back up" their statements here already tells me your expectations are way too high.

Back to the point, Nintendo is a monopoly and needs to be shut down, according to the CMA.
 
Back to the point, Nintendo is a monopoly and needs to be shut down, according to the CMA.

No sir, this is no job for the CMA. It's already been established in this thread that they are full of themselves and in over their heads.

The only solution to this problem is for Microsoft to buy Nintendo.
 
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The fact that you expect everyone to "back up" their statements here already tells me your expectations are way too high.

It's never enough, couple of pages ago I was asked to post 1 article from a quote unquote neutral source that shows objections to CMAs statements so far, I posted 3, still wasn't enough.

Anything that doesn't fit the narrative is either fanboyish, promoted by fanboy influencers or by indoctrinated commentators.

I like you Banjo but come on
 
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It's never enough, couple of pages ago I was asked to post 1 article from a quote unquote neutral source that shows objections to CMAs statements so far, I posted 3, still wasn't enough.

Anything that doesn't fit the narrative is either fanboyish, promoted by fanboy influencers or by indoctrinated commentators.

I like you Banjo but come on
1 from an org with MS listed as a backer, 2 from Forbes, 1 of which had a one line mild criticism. I like you too mate, but I won't argue with you in bad faith 🤷‍♂️ shout out to DarkMage619 DarkMage619 too because I like you too bro - I just think you have bad takes on this matter (as you do I). (And even CatLady CatLady , with all the laughing emojis :messenger_heart:)
 
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Anyways, my thoughts on this deal. Waste of time and money. MS should have bought and pumped loads of money in to companies like Playtonic, Moon, Gears for Breakfast and given them all the internal support they need. That's what I like about Game Pass, I actually fear the day when it'll all just become about having CoD plastered everywhere. Should have always been a vehicle, as it so often has been, to promote games like Tunic, Ori and Tinykin.
 
That's fine if you agree with it. Just expect to get called out when you can't explain why
You never explained how Sony would fail to compete if CoD was hypothetically removed, my fundamental point. At least I made you aware of a professional regulatory agency that gave plenty of detail as to why Sony would be just fine. Not my problem if you don't want to read it.

Holy fuck are you actually saying this again to me? Again!? Really!?

I guess time really is a very short circle.

I guess you forgot Sony merged all their sub services into one. PS Now doesn't exist anymore and I have not seen any new breakout from Sony separating their subscribers into different units. The reality is PS+ is the biggest gaming sub service currently. Bigger than even Game pass. Congrats to Sony!
The DS and Wii sold a combined 250m units.

The 3DS and Wii U sold a combined 95m units.

The 155m differential didn't rush out to buy an Xbox or PS.

PS user base caps out between 90-120m units normally, with the PS2 being an outlier.

Xbox caps out between 60-80m.

There's been no growth in that cap in the console market.
You have no evidence that Nintendo is not a competitor in the console video game market friend. The NPD in the US regularly shows tons of Nintendo software on the sales charts; UK as well I'd imagine. Why would they track the game sales of a company that isn't competing in that market? Why track Nintendo console hardware? Do they do that for the Steam Deck?
No one needs to prove that it will.
The CMA has to show that their conclusions are based in reality. Right now MS is stating that console subscription growth is slowing. If that is true it would even harder to show that MS will have some sort of monopoly in that area. We already know they are already behind Sony in total game subscription customers. How will MS come from behind to suddenly take over the entire market and hurt Sony, the market leader's ability to compete? I don't see how it happens.
They are.
Glad you agree on that.
They aren't.
Unless they aren't accepting legal currency I don't see how you can hold this position. I'm pretty sure if I walk into a store, grab a Switch and run out I'm going to be stopped for stealing. The Switch costs real money and they sell real video games that chart on real gaming charts. This has been true since Nintendo entered console gaming back in the 80s. I'm pretty sure you knew this.
There are three console platform holders. And 2 of them compete for the same mindshare.
There are three console platform holders and all three compete for your gaming dollars. The fact that all three use different tactics to attract customers does not change the overall business they are in. The Xbox has a low cost console that is even cheaper than the Switch is. People in fact compare it to the Switch all the time. People change their minds based on how they feel and who they are talking about. Better to be consistent and stick the fact that all the companies are in competition with each other. They don't have to follow the same practices to be in competition, in fact being different can help you make a sale. Still wild people don't believe that Nintendo is out here selling game systems and games.

Oh as an aside MS plans to put CoD on the Switch as well, a platform that apparently isn't considered a viable game platform for some reason.
 
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You never explained how Sony would fail to compete if CoD was hypothetically removed, my fundamental point. At least I made you aware of a professional regulatory agency that gave plenty of detail as to why Sony would be just fine. Not my problem if you don't want to read it.

Probably because I never made that claim? Your fundamental point was x doesn't need y because z doesn't need y. You can keep flip-flopping as much as you want. You still haven't justified your argument
 
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Probably because I never made that claim? Your fundamental point was x doesn't need y because z doesn't need y. You can keep flip-flopping as much as you want. You still haven't justified your argument
Nope. I never once said anything about x, y, or z. I said plainly that a 3rd party title isn't necessary for a console to be competitive. I specifically called out CoD as just such a title. I've made several comparisons to Nintendo and Microsoft as companies that were denied a 3rd party game and continued to be competitive. You can either address my plainly spoken point or continue to go off on a tangent about algebra.
 

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif.—Microsoft Corp.'s MSFT -1.98%decrease; red down pointing triangle top videogame executive said the company is betting heavily on the future of mobile games and hopes that it will be able to overcome the power that Apple Inc. and Google have over how people play on smartphones.

Phil Spencer, Microsoft's chief executive of gaming, said the company's ambition in mobile games is the main driver of its proposed $75 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard Inc., ATVI 0.03%increase; green up pointing triangle a plan that is being reviewed by competition regulators.

"This deal for us really centered around our opportunity to get more mobile engagement," he said Wednesday at The Wall Street Journal's Tech Live conference.
"We have to break that duopoly of only two storefronts available on the largest platforms," he said. "We have to find a way to create more engagement and monetization across mobile. It's imperative for our business."
Mr. Spencer said Microsoft wants to give people options in how to game. It sees flagship hardware products such as its Xbox consoles as still critical to its goals, but it also wants to expand its mobile-game and streaming options. One of the company's focus areas has been Game Pass, which offers a catalog of games for people to play for a monthly fee, instead of buying individual titles for roughly $60 or $70 apiece. Mr. Spencer said the subscription business is important, but he doesn't expect it to grow as a share of Microsoft's total game revenue beyond its current level of roughly 15%.

About Xbox consoles
He also said some of Microsoft's supply-chain problems have eased since the holidays last year and that the company's Xbox Series S product is well-stocked, though its pricier Series X model might still be in short supply.

He is confident the deal would pass.
Mr. Spencer said that scrutiny of the deal is warranted, and that he remains confident that the deal will be approved in the U.S. and overseas. He said Microsoft plans to offer "Call of Duty" on PlayStation "as long as that makes sense."
 
He's said King was the main thing to pursue this deal a couple of months ago as well.

I think if CMA causes a fuss MS/Phil will be happy to make any concessions regarding Call of Duty to get it through as needed.
 
https://www.washingtonpost.com/poli...acquisitions-ever-is-under-regulatory-review/
MS stance on activision blizzard issues.
Satya Nadella, Microsoft's CEO, has only briefly addressed the turmoil, telling investors in January, "We believe it's critical for Activision Blizzard to drive forward on its renewed cultural commitment." More recently, Microsoft announced it would respect Activision Blizzard workers' rights to join a union and would enter a so-called labor neutrality agreement with the Communications Workers of America, which backs those workers. In June, Microsoft President Brad Smith told The Post: "We have to be extremely careful under the law to avoid what's called gun jumping," referring to unlawful activities from a company still awaiting regulatory approval. "We were not required to [talk to Activision Blizzard] under the merger agreement, and we did not seek their approval to enter into the agreement" with the union.

FTC regulation seems to not have any problem with this deal as of now.
And it remains unclear when the deal might be cleared by the FTC or any of the other regulatory bodies. In February, the FTC said it "does not comment on or confirm the existence of investigations." If it were to issue a complaint, the FTC said, that would be made public.

Xbox wants activision blizzard catelog to make xbox popular.
Microsoft responded to the U.K. regulator's antitrust inquiry last week by reassuring gamers that it would not make Call of Duty exclusive, and that its cloud gaming service remains unproven and poses no danger to other consoles and devices, calling the technology "new and immature." Still, the Activision deal would combine two of the biggest gaming companies in the world. In the same filing to British regulators, Microsoft admitted that Sony and Nintendo far surpass Xbox on number of consoles sold and monthly active users, and that Activision Blizzard's slate of popular games could bolster Xbox's commercial appeal.

Their goal is to bring those games to more people
"Our goal is to bring more games to more people, and we continue to believe Activision Blizzard's talent and catalogue of games will be valuable in helping us do this," Microsoft spokesman David Cuddy told The Technology 202.
Confused Kid Cudi GIF by Apple Music
 
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