Microsoft / Activision Deal Approval Watch |OT| (MS/ABK close)
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FalsettoVibe
Member
That's pretty bad. Quick question though......what is the Sony side equivalent of people like Jez, Colt and Ryan?
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Banjo64
cumsessed
Remember when Nintendo laughed Microsoft out of the room? This guy is a little winnit clinging in to daddy Microsoft's sweaty unwiped ass crack. Skinny little virgin.
SegaManAU
Gold Member
80% of GAF
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lefty1117
Gold Member
Waiting for someone to explain why Microsoft making COD an Xbox exclusive would be any different than Sony's 1st party exclusives, exclusive marketing deals, Playstation-only DLCs, etc etc etc. The only difference is the revenue in the respective products, but the behaviors are the same from Sony, in fact they sort of pioneered this kind of stuff in previous generations. This is really Sony seeking government intervention because they've been outmaneuvered. Meanwhile I don't see Sony offering up their exclusives to Xbox as a way to prevent this deal.
8BiTw0LF
Consoomer
Microsoft admits "many" PlayStation exclusives "better quality" than those on Xbox
Microsoft has admitted that Sony has more exclusive games that are "better quality" than its own.
www.eurogamer.net
If this acquisition doesn't go through.. Microsoft has just played themselves.
Swift_Star
Banned
It's like talking to a child that doesn't understand anything of the world. I don't have any patience to keep this discussion with you going. You're on ignore as of now.
ChiefDada
Member
Lose to who!? Themselves! The judges overseeing the case are FTC administrative judges! And what do you mean unlawful? Courts are the bodies that enforce and interpret the laws. That's like saying a supreme court decision is unlawful. Ok, where do you go from there??
I dunno the BryantK guy? I certainly can't think of PS equivalents at the level of Destin, Ryan, etc. Maybe you can dish out a warranted check to my bias because I honestly can't think of anyone prominent. I feel like PS social influencers like Mystic and MBG are pretty balanced for the most part.
Swift_Star
Banned
Whatever helps you sleep at night
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Cheezewizz
Banned
I doubt it will lead to exclusives being significantly changed as far as what's allowed legally, outside of one aspect. That being Sony's tactic of preventing 3rd party games from releasing on Gamepass.
If the deal were to fall through as a result of all this, it wouldn't be like some claim it would where MS would just go on a $68 billion spending spree. However, I do think they would immediately spend a significant amount of money to get content for Gamepass via 3rd party deals. I believe with all the recent investigations and discussions, that MS would immediately target specific titles that currently have a No-Gamepass contract with Sony, and take it to court. Sony's recent actions are (as someone pointed out earlier) the result of being outmaneuvered. If Sony succeeds by making MS abandon the deal, then I think MS's next move would be to try and set the rules in their favor as much as possible, and more importantly clarify them. So that they could then make moves going forward while knowing exactly where all the boundaries are. The logical first step in that would be forcing Sony to adhere to the very standards they just demanded MS adhere to.
HoofHearted
Member
Scanning This thread - movie edition - since I last read this morning:
Keep up the good work GAF - and Happy Fucking Thanksgiving!
Keep up the good work GAF - and Happy Fucking Thanksgiving!
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Swift_Star
Banned
MS taking things away from the competition isn't the same as creating its own IPs. Nobody is questioning the exclusivity of Halo or Forza.
Thirty7ven
Banned
You can check and contrast some the more popular podcasts to get a firm grasp on how different Xbox media is. Full blown cross your chest X gon give it to ya super hyped about every nook and cranny with a green halo wearing mini Xbox controller earrings while cozying up to Phil Spencer at every turn begging to suck his cock for a job.
Even at a place like Last Stand Media you see the difference, you got Sacred symbols always highly critical of PlayStation and even brings along a Halo 2 fan who has the poster up in the wall and probably is mentally challenged because he starts every sentence with "I feel" so something is going on there. Hop on over to Defining Duke and it's 24/7 jizz about Phil Spencer.
I'm not talking about your regular Xbox fans, these are media people. It's a real phenomenon.
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gokurho
Member
Yes, in addition, MS&AB can easily exit US&UK market .
FTC&CMA can not deny this acquisition.
Swift_Star
Banned
MS can't go to court for marketing deals not allowing games to go to gamepass, that makes no sense. Gamepass is just a silly subscription model, nothing else.
Cheezewizz
Banned
To be fair. I'm not the one that's routinely losing sleep due to constantly posting in this thread.
Try harder.
Swift_Star
Banned
I'm not the one having meltdowns because the deal might fail, though, as evidenced by the tweet provided previously.
it's fun watching you all fighting so hard for this for it ultimately, either fails or it goes through with harsh compromises.This deal ain't going through smoothly.
Tough luck.
Cheezewizz
Banned
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but...
MS can go to court for pretty much any reason they want so long as it seems even remotely reasonable. Epic is proof of that.
freefornow
Member
Phew, so no dick pics incoming then.
Swift_Star
Banned
They can and they will flop. Good luck for them, though.
GhostOfTsu
Banned
None. Sony doesn't talk to the media. You might find some fans on YouTube but that's it.
BryanK is a forum user like us, not a journalist, no podcast and no youtube.
bender
What time is it?
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Cheezewizz
Banned
You're right, you're not the one having a meltdown. I haven't seen anyone here having one, at least as far as the last couple of pages anyway.I'm not the one having meltdowns because the deal might fail, though, as evidenced by the tweet provided previously.
This deal ain't going through smoothly.
Tough luck.
But...
You are the one publicly ejaculating all over themselves as evidenced by your posts, based on what some unnamed sources said the FTC might do.
SportsFan581
Member
The whole document is embarrassing for the most part. This spreading through the gaming community is literal gold in MS's hands if the deal gets approved. LOL
Cheezewizz
Banned
Oh, so now you admit they can. Good to see we agree that your previous claim was wrong. Good on you for that.They can and they will flop. Good luck for them, though.
However, you immediately proceed to make the same mistake, by claiming something as fact despite it not being so. Yes, they can take them to court. Whether they win or "flop" can't be determined until they actually cross that bridge.
FalsettoVibe
Member
I was literally trying think of anyone who goes as hard and could not.....lol. Why is Xbox media like this? Anyway, back to the topic.
This whole deal just got a lot more interesting.
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graywolf323
Member
it's geting hard to tell which side is saying more ludicrous stuff right now, Sony or Microsoft
yep basically this
bender
What time is it?
The rare combination of rooting for the underdog while considering Microsoft an underdog?
Torrent of Pork
Banned
I'm almost at the point where if this gets blocked I hope MS goes on a 70 billion dollar coke bender, buying up smaller studios left and right that I actually give a shit about. ABK doesn't mean much to me outside of being a moneymaker for MS to dump into things I like, as honestly Diablo is the only thing for me from the entire purchase.
Just go ahead and spend $70b on Eidos-level studios over the next few years, now we're talking my language. Oh yeah, go ahead and pick up Squeenix from the corner store as an afterthought.
Just go ahead and spend $70b on Eidos-level studios over the next few years, now we're talking my language. Oh yeah, go ahead and pick up Squeenix from the corner store as an afterthought.
GhostOfTsu
Banned
They get a lot of privileges from MS. They hang out with Aaron Greenberg, interviews with Phil, marketing.
Sony and Jim doesn't give a fuck so nobody shills for them. The only positive press they get is when they release a game.
HeisenbergFX4
Member
Dude has had me blocked for years since I kept posting their own video of their podcast when they said you can't tell the difference between 720p and 1080p on anything under 50"
bender
What time is it?
After Wario64, you might have come up with my second favorite use of Twitter.
Jerm411
Member
They do MS' marketing and bidding…I mean they're all open about how chummy they are with anyone associated with XBox.
Kind of smart of Phil and co….let all these slobbering goofs do the heavy lifting for you while you sit back and occasionally give them an atta boy…
thismeinteil
Member
There isn't any. While I'm sure all 3 have their fanboys in the media, Xbox is on another level. I mean, if Nintendo and Sony had the same lackluster decade as Xbox, with no notable exclusive to launch with their next gen console, would those fans have stuck around? Sure a couple, but a lot would have left, while badmouthing them. Xbox fanboys stick around and dream up a scenario where MS just spends Sony (Nintendo would be the next target) into oblivion. The irony is that dream is the exact reason regulators are getting involved, preventing it from happening.
There's also a HUGE difference between any diehard you could find for Sony or Nintendo, MS actually courts, encourages, and supports these console warring fanboys.
Kacho
Member
lol...
graywolf323
Member
Call of Duty will be only be released in Brazil going forward
Rac3r
Member
You can also also add Parris, Destin Legarie and Tom Warren to that list. I believe guys like Jez and Warren are paid to cover Microsoft news; but they mostly speak in favor of them while spinning negative stories against competitors (like Sony). Parris is like an Xbox ambassador, while Destin and Ryan work for IGN and also spin news in favor of MS/Xbox.
They all shill for MS and receive perks because of it. There aren't any Sony equivalents of these people. Closest thing are guys like Greg and Colin Moriarty.
SenjutsuSage
Banned
It boils down to simply this.
No matter how much Sony and specific individuals wish it were something it isn't, facts are facts and Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard does not meet the acceptable criteria for a successfully blocked merger. It doesn't even meet the bare minimum requirement. The deal is on solid foundation in every area that you could possibly look at it. Marketshare % on consoles worldwide and specific major markets, multi-game subscription services, PC, overall console software sales share on Xbox or Playstation, on both. Even merged with Xbox Activision Blizzard in total only accounts less than 20-30% worldwide and in the UK combined. These are the thresholds by which they weigh mergers and decisions in which to block them.
The only remotely touchy subject matter is whether Microsoft decides to remove COD from Playstation, which even if they did, it would still not produce the type of substantial damage that Sony is claiming. No amount of cooking of the numbers on their side to make Call of Duty appear more important to the success of all other games on Playstation, including God of War, Uncharted, Destiny, Last of Us, Ghost of Tsushima, Final Fantasy, Elden Ring etc., is going to make a case for Sony that simply is not there. The best argument they have is "hey, they'll take away Call of Duty from us", and all Microsoft need do is commit to just that.
Activision Blizzard games were never going to be a meaningful component of any multi-game subscription service. The mere suggestion from Sony that they would be, contrary to Activision's own internal documents and existing business history, is something that can't be treated as serious.
And the biggest element being overlooked, its immediate benefit to consumers. It doesn't matter if all the same benefits won't be on playstation, because that's what competition is. No matter what Sony says about ps plus now, and it being seen as "lesser" than Game Pass, that is nobody's fault but Sony's own. Sony had PS Now years before Microsoft had Game Pass, and it is Sony's own bad decisions that have made them fall behind Game Pass, a service that came years after Sony's own options. And Microsoft has chosen to go out of their way in their filing to hammer more aggressively on the fact that Sony possesses a very simple means to enhance the competitive nature of PS Plus. 'Day One' releases of more third party and first party titles the way Game Pass does.
A key component of this deal's evaluation is "will it be pro-consumer?" it will be in a ton of ways right away.
Oh, and check out Microsoft calling out CMA for not even reviewing Amazon's deal to purchase MGM on very similar grounds they seem to be taking exception to with Activision Blizzard's properties.
This piece is important because it lays out exactly what the high standard for a phase 2 blocking of a deal is, "the balance of probabilities."
On the lesser standard of phase 1, CMA can find a "realistic prospect" but on phase 2's higher standard of balance of probabilities no such thing can be found, and this is supported by the raw data.
Sony can't successfully challenge any of the information provided in the chart below. The numbers are simply against them. Feelings will not carry the day in this deal, only real data will. Microsoft is showing real data that even if Call of Duty were to be taken from Playstation, what Sony is claiming is simply not possible. Anyone with an ounce of common sense will get this.
No matter how much Sony and specific individuals wish it were something it isn't, facts are facts and Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard does not meet the acceptable criteria for a successfully blocked merger. It doesn't even meet the bare minimum requirement. The deal is on solid foundation in every area that you could possibly look at it. Marketshare % on consoles worldwide and specific major markets, multi-game subscription services, PC, overall console software sales share on Xbox or Playstation, on both. Even merged with Xbox Activision Blizzard in total only accounts less than 20-30% worldwide and in the UK combined. These are the thresholds by which they weigh mergers and decisions in which to block them.
The only remotely touchy subject matter is whether Microsoft decides to remove COD from Playstation, which even if they did, it would still not produce the type of substantial damage that Sony is claiming. No amount of cooking of the numbers on their side to make Call of Duty appear more important to the success of all other games on Playstation, including God of War, Uncharted, Destiny, Last of Us, Ghost of Tsushima, Final Fantasy, Elden Ring etc., is going to make a case for Sony that simply is not there. The best argument they have is "hey, they'll take away Call of Duty from us", and all Microsoft need do is commit to just that.
Activision Blizzard games were never going to be a meaningful component of any multi-game subscription service. The mere suggestion from Sony that they would be, contrary to Activision's own internal documents and existing business history, is something that can't be treated as serious.
And the biggest element being overlooked, its immediate benefit to consumers. It doesn't matter if all the same benefits won't be on playstation, because that's what competition is. No matter what Sony says about ps plus now, and it being seen as "lesser" than Game Pass, that is nobody's fault but Sony's own. Sony had PS Now years before Microsoft had Game Pass, and it is Sony's own bad decisions that have made them fall behind Game Pass, a service that came years after Sony's own options. And Microsoft has chosen to go out of their way in their filing to hammer more aggressively on the fact that Sony possesses a very simple means to enhance the competitive nature of PS Plus. 'Day One' releases of more third party and first party titles the way Game Pass does.
A key component of this deal's evaluation is "will it be pro-consumer?" it will be in a ton of ways right away.
Oh, and check out Microsoft calling out CMA for not even reviewing Amazon's deal to purchase MGM on very similar grounds they seem to be taking exception to with Activision Blizzard's properties.
This piece is important because it lays out exactly what the high standard for a phase 2 blocking of a deal is, "the balance of probabilities."
On the lesser standard of phase 1, CMA can find a "realistic prospect" but on phase 2's higher standard of balance of probabilities no such thing can be found, and this is supported by the raw data.
Sony can't successfully challenge any of the information provided in the chart below. The numbers are simply against them. Feelings will not carry the day in this deal, only real data will. Microsoft is showing real data that even if Call of Duty were to be taken from Playstation, what Sony is claiming is simply not possible. Anyone with an ounce of common sense will get this.
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bitbydeath
Gold Member
MS will probably just shift it elsewhere since it isn't Xbox money, but it'd be great if they invested it into their own studios, putting all their main studios on multiple projects at once like Sony has done recently.
That'd be way better than having a bunch of CoD studios.
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S0ULZB0URNE
Member
80% of all popular forums.80% of GAF
3liteDragon
Member
I did try to look for the equivalent of those people in the past but I don't think there is anyone nearly on there level at least popularity-wise.
Topher
Identifies as young
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3liteDragon
Member
Yes, soon you'll be able to play Call of Duty WWIII with your habibis in Saudi Arabia. Both the Xbox consoles & the game are country exclusives now.
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Kagey K
Banned
There's a few, I don't bother with all this nonsense but Red Dragon is up there.
Probably for the best if he remains unknown.
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MasterCornholio
Member
Hey guys.
Happy turkey day!!!!
Happy turkey day!!!!
thicc_girls_are_teh_best
Member
Hmm...I don't think there are any. And FWIW there are hardcore Xbox fans like Kid Smoove but I would not put him in the same boat as a Jez, Destin, Colt or Ryan.
The reason being because while people like Kid are almost fanatical fanboys to a humorous degree, they don't have any corporate ties to a platform holder or media outlet. People like Destin and Ryan literally work for IGN and yet don't let that stop them from acting like complete fanboys on their platforms. Jez Corden is a writer for a Microsoft-centric website and also has direct connections with Xbox developers, but is still prone to fanboyism. Colteastwood just flew to Redmond earlier this year to hang out with Aaron Greenberg and other Microsoft people (he & Dealer apparently have played games with Phil Spencer himself through XB Live) and he's second to Klobrille for doing what feels like free Xbox PR.
People can feel what they want about some of the PlayStation-centric content creators and journalists (though there doesn't seem like very much of the latter these days TBH), but at least they don't have a direct line or affiliation with PlayStation corporate. Some people try using this to insinuate that Sony isn't open enough with their fans the way Xbox execs are, but there's a very obvious reason why you should keep a buffer between your customers when you're operating a business: trying to pal around too closely with your customers like they're your best friends can turn into emotional manipulation and create warped para-social relationships, cult-like mentalities (and those always end up bad), etc.
Plus, ultimately, your customers should be most interested in what content you're providing them and if it's meeting their expectations of quality. As a business, your job is to produce the content that appeals to your customers. I don't need a CEO to pretend like they're my friend, I just need them to do their job well and run things successfully to meet my wants as a customer.
...Although I wouldn't mind if Sony did an actual Showcase sometime again. Or maybe come back to E3. Heck I wouldn't mind them, Nintendo & Microsoft coming back to E3 TBH. I miss the rivalry that used to create, and the hype moments.
It boils down to simply this.
No matter how much Sony and specific individuals wish it were something it isn't, facts are facts and Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard does not meet the acceptable criteria for a successfully blocked merger. It doesn't even meet the bare minimum requirement. The deal is on solid foundation in every area that you could possibly look at it. Marketshare % on consoles worldwide and specific major markets, multi-game subscription services, PC, overall console software sales share on Xbox or Playstation, on both. Even merged with Xbox Activision Blizzard in total only accounts less than 20-30% worldwide and in the UK combined. These are the thresholds by which they weigh mergers and decisions in which to block them.
The only remotely touchy subject matter is whether Microsoft decides to remove COD from Playstation, which even if they did, it would still not produce the type of substantial damage that Sony is claiming. No amount of cooking of the numbers on their side to make Call of Duty appear more important to the success of all other games on Playstation, including God of War, Uncharted, Destiny, Last of Us, Ghost of Tsushima, Final Fantasy, Elden Ring etc., is going to make a case for Sony that simply is not there. The best argument they have is "hey, they'll take away Call of Duty from us", and all Microsoft need do is commit to just that.
Activision Blizzard games were never going to be a meaningful component of any multi-game subscription service. The mere suggestion from Sony that they would be, contrary to Activision's own internal documents and existing business history, is something that can't be treated as serious.
And the biggest element being overlooked, its immediate benefit to consumers. It doesn't matter if all the same benefits won't be on playstation, because that's what competition is. No matter what Sony says about ps plus now, and it being seen as "lesser" than Game Pass, that is nobody's fault but Sony's own. Sony had PS Now years before Microsoft had Game Pass, and it is Sony's own bad decisions that have made them fall behind Game Pass, a service that came years after Sony's own options. And Microsoft has chosen to go out of their way in their filing to hammer more aggressively on the fact that Sony possesses a very simple means to enhance the competitive nature of PS Plus. 'Day One' releases of more third party and first party titles the way Game Pass does.
A key component of this deal's evaluation is "will it be pro-consumer?" it will be in a ton of ways right away.
Oh, and check out Microsoft calling out CMA for not even reviewing Amazon's deal to purchase MGM on very similar grounds they seem to be taking exception to with Activision Blizzard's properties.
This piece is important because it lays out exactly what the high standard for a phase 2 blocking of a deal is, "the balance of probabilities."
On the lesser standard of phase 1, CMA can find a "realistic prospect" but on phase 2's higher standard of balance of probabilities no such thing can be found, and this is supported by the raw data.
Sony can't successfully challenge any of the information provided in the chart below. The numbers are simply against them. Feelings will not carry the day in this deal, only real data will. Microsoft is showing real data that even if Call of Duty were to be taken from Playstation, what Sony is claiming is simply not possible. Anyone with an ounce of common sense will get this.
I was scrolling up and knew this was gonna be your post before even seeing your username.
Hope some of you get sweet gigs on the litigation team if this deal ever happens to get rejected and MS sues in response.
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remember_spinal
Banned
Hilarious day before thanksgiving in gaming
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