Support NeoGAF

[intheinbetween]

Here:

Source:
https://www.bungie.net/en/News/Article/50989

They could not have made it any clearer.

Can’t wait for Bungie (SIE) to announce the platforms their new game will be released on, I will be shocked if they release it on XBOX

 

[feynoob]

Xbox camps vs PS camps.

Do we really need to do this shit until June?

 

[MasterCornholio]

It’s not about hiding numbers Sony is generally always trying to squeez consumers out of every dollar they can. Now that’s most businesses but in their case they increase first party games prices to 70 then the console price. As far as I know they’re the only first party to do this. It’s because they know they’re the market leader they can throw it around like that considering Microsoft outside of us and Uk is not as competitive. Now this deal will definitely change that cause now Microsoft will be able to bring gamepass to mobile which now shifts how they operate and will force Sony to also change and be more consumer friendly then they have been which is only good news for gamers. Idc what the fanboys say if all of sudden Sony first party games are day and date on plus they’ll be shouting through the roof.

Sony won't release day one games if it doesn't make any financial sense for them to do so. As for 70$ games Sony are not the only 1st parties doing that. No idea where you got that idea from.

 

[HoofHearted]

Xbox camps vs PS camps.

Do we really need to do this shit until June?

The real question is - do I have enough popcorn to last until June?

<…checks pantry…>

Yep.

 

[Crispy Gamer]

Thought Sony said their business model couldn't afford thst. If anything they would continue to delay their 1st party releases to remain profitable.

They said the situation is fluid and if the business changes they would adapt but they did also allude to their games having to be lower in quality if it ever came to that. I would like them to convert to a disney model with a quicker release on plus maybe 6 months because they sell too many units for a day 1 model.

 

[Crispy Gamer]

Wow. If this is true then they’re truly dropping the ball in a historical way right now. I mean it’s only one of the biggest gaming PR opportunities of the year. I’m sure it’ll do wonders for their platform to not even show up after a dead year like this.

Anectodal evidence. I’ve spent 95% of my console time on PS5 this year, and I actually like Xbox. I always planned to play Starfield on PC and I don’t play first person shooters so Redfall is whatever. Maybe throw me a bone here MS, hm? What am I actually supposed to look forward to for Xbox?

Gears hopefully! I would love a next-gen showcase surprise trailer that'll blow everyone away like that Hellblade 2 trailer, yeah they better not skip it

 

[sainraja]

Can’t wait for Bungie (SIE) to announce the platforms their new game will be released on, I will be shocked if they release it on XBOX

There is no reason to believe otherwise. We'll discuss the situation again if it ever changes, right now....what is true is what they have clearly stated.

 

[jumpship]

Can’t wait for Bungie (SIE) to announce the platforms their new game will be released on, I will be shocked if they release it on XBOX

Why would you be shocked if it released on Xbox?

 

[Topher]

Both companies are doing the same thing. Microsoft is understating the value of abk coming under them and Sony is overstating their direness and hyperbole about it taking them out of business. Sony though in my opinion is going to far as to out right intrude in a business transaction of other companies that haven’t broken any Anti trust violation. While also throwing their third party partners and first party studios under the bus by saying without call of duty they can’t maintain their business. Also if they did turn down a ten year contract for call of duty because they’re hinging on ending the deal if it pass and they turned down the contract going back to negotiate with Microsoft now is going to be different. Idc what Phil’s saying publicly Microsoft does not like what Sony’s doing publicly right now and this will be a sort of Cold War going forward where they say all the right things publicly but internally will be very shady goings between these two.

Generally I agree with you except I don't think Sony is doing anything more/less wrong than Microsoft. They have every right to express their objection and yeah, some of their arguments are highly hyperbolic, just as Microsoft's are. And really I don't see that much will change overall between the two companies. It isn't like MS and Sony were best buds on the gaming side of things, but I think the hostility is concentrated with the console warriors more than on the corporate side of things just as always.

Making silly facetious arguments are stupid when the company it self is saying it can’t exist without those FPS COD games. That’s their words not mine.

When did Sony say they can't exist with COD?

 

[Drewpee]

Two questions:

What happens if Microsoft is forced to back out of the acquisition? Activision was looking to be sold and its not like regulators can force them to stay in business.

IF Microsoft is forced to cut COD from the deal, who will own/support the IP and who will be required to fund them? This route is highly unlikely (Microsoft would probably just kill deal) but I am curious about how the process works.

 

[Fess]

Gears hopefully! I would love a next-gen showcase surprise trailer that'll blow everyone away like that Hellblade 2 trailer, yeah they better not skip it

I love Gears but I think it’s a fair way off tbh, 3-4 years or more. Maybe they’re doing another smaller thing like Hivebusters in the meantime tho

 

[Mibu no ookami]

I think people discount the knock-on effect of CoD especially.

if 18 million CoD players were to move to GamePass and Xbox from PlayStation, it's not just them that will leave. It'll be others too and it also impacts Sony's revenue on other games. If Someone plays CoD and Fifa and they go to Xbox, that's sony losing 30% of CoD and 30% on FIFA.

And obviously, it will impact 1st party sales as well.

But if I play against my friend in most games on PS but all of a sudden all my friends who are COD gamers go to Xbox, I may also be more likely to go to Xbox even if I don't play COD.

All this can happen with COD still on PS if it means most COD players assume it's more valuable to move to XB to play it on GamePass than buy it outright every year.

Can Sony compete directly with GamePass without a significant loss in revenue? No. There's nothing groundbreaking or earth-shattering about gamepass. Sony COULD implement the same deals with publishers tomorrow and put their own games there as well. There's nothing inherently unique or special about GamePass that Sony can't replicate save for the fact that they don't have the cash to bleed nor do they want to fundamentally transform their business model.

Microsoft has moved to subscription for Office, they're going to move there for Windows, and they want to replicate this on Xbox. They're not the market leader in console gaming, so they have little to lose by trying to change the market. This is normally how innovation happens by disrupting the market, the only difference is that Sony can't compete dollar for dollar with a trillion dollar company.

 

[Topher]

Two questions:

What happens if Microsoft is forced to back out of the acquisition? Activision was looking to be sold and its not like regulators can force them to stay in business.

IF Microsoft is forced to cut COD from the deal, who will own/support the IP and who will be required to fund them? This route is highly unlikely (Microsoft would probably just kill deal) but I am curious about how the process works.

AB goes back to being the company they were before. Stockholders are still going to want a return on their investment so business goes on as usual.

I think that if anything is broken up then it would Activision itself. Blizzard and King are not nearly as controversial an acquisition and if MS is still interested (doubtful, imo) then they could buy those two and let Acquisition fall by the wayside. I really don't see that happening though.

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

At 95 share, that is insane money. If this deal fails, their share would fall round $55 and lower. It's not going to look good for Sony.

Oh? And what are they going go to do?

Abandon Sony and wipe their tears with their $55/share before it goes to $20?

They knew an acquisition this big had anti trust risk. Sony doesn’t control that, though they can make a compelling case against it and should.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

Two questions:

What happens if Microsoft is forced to back out of the acquisition? Activision was looking to be sold and its not like regulators can force them to stay in business.

IF Microsoft is forced to cut COD from the deal, who will own/support the IP and who will be required to fund them? This route is highly unlikely (Microsoft would probably just kill deal) but I am curious about how the process works.

Activision wasn't in danger of going out of business here... Activision will continue to act on its own independently or look for another buyer outside of the industry like Apple, Amazon, or Tencent.

 

[sainraja]

I can testify to this. I was going to buy God of War Ragnorök for £69.99, but instead I’m just spending 100 hours blowing down buildings with friends in Crackdown 3.

You made the wrong decision.

 

[Crispy Gamer]

I love Gears but I think it’s a fair way off tbh, 3-4 years or more. Maybe they’re doing another smaller thing like Hivebusters in the meantime tho

They do have something smaller in the works. Yeah they mentioned shifting to Unreal 5 will take time so they're going dark for a while..I'm just hoping

 

[Drewpee]

AB goes back to being the company they were before. Stockholders are still going to want a return on their investment so business goes on as usual.

I think that if anything is broken up then it would Activision itself. Blizzard and King are not nearly as controversial an acquisition and if MS is still interested (doubtful, imo) then they could buy those two and let Acquisition fall by the wayside. I really don't see that happening though.

Agreed, I think it's all or nothing for Microsoft.

AB was already for sale before Microsoft threw their name in the hat. If they're no longer able to be sold, what happens?

 

[Swift_Star]

The royal we.

We the (Sony) consumers have spoken that we don’t want CoD on Nintendo or CoD for $10 a month on Xbox, whilst nothing changes for us. This is our royal decree.

Bad irony and is still missing the point.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

They said the situation is fluid and if the business changes they would adapt but they did also allude to their games having to be lower in quality if it ever came to that. I would like them to convert to a disney model with a quicker release on plus maybe 6 months because they sell too many units for a day 1 model.

Six months would drastically impact their bottom line. Most people can wait 6 months for a game if you consider most people's backlogs and generally coming LTTP on games.

TLOU2 came out 2 years ago and still hasn't hit PS+ for example.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

Agreed, I think it's all or nothing for Microsoft.

AB was already for sale before Microsoft threw their name in the hat. If they're no longer able to be sold, what happens?

What makes you think they'll be unable to be sold.

Maybe they don't get 95 dollars per share, but they'll still find a buyer if they want to.

If Amazon wants to buy Activision, regulators aren't going to stop them. Even Meta is another possibility.

 

[Three]

Six months would drastically impact their bottom line. Most people can way 6 months for a game if you consider most people's backlogs and generally coming LTTP on games.

TLOU2 came out 2 years ago and still hasn't hit PS+ for example.

TLOU2 hit PS Now last Christmas but I agree that they have evergreen titles that extend beyond 6 months, that wouldn't make sense. As they shift to GaaS and more mtx type games they will start to offer those.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

TLOU2 hit PS Now last Christmas but I agree that they have evergreen titles that wouldn't make sense. As they shift to GaaS and more mtx type games they will start to offer those.

That wasn't to own.

Yeah, they'll put GaaS games and the like on PS+ Extra and premium depending on the model of game. F2P doesn't need to be there and some MMOs will probably require their own subscription.

 

[feynoob]

Oh? And what are they going go to do?

Abandon Sony and wipe their tears with their $55/share before it goes to $20?

They knew an acquisition this big had anti trust risk. Sony doesn’t control that, though they can make a compelling case against it and should.

And who do you think is the one making a mess for them right now?
They knew the regulators would have some issues with them. But the big player right now is Sony (which have a right to show their concern).

Whatever happens to this deal, the outcome for the industry is gonna be nasty.

I can't predict what Activision would do to Sony, but I can't guarantee you that the relationship isn't gonna be the old one. It's gonna be a messy one.

 

[feynoob]

Agreed, I think it's all or nothing for Microsoft.

AB was already for sale before Microsoft threw their name in the hat. If they're no longer able to be sold, what happens?

Another company is gonna buy them. But they won't get that $95 share again.

This is their golden chance to make a big profit. Or else, whoever buys them next won't pay that much.

 

[Crispy Gamer]

Six months would drastically impact their bottom line. Most people can way 6 months for a game if you consider most people's backlogs and generally coming LTTP on games.

TLOU2 came out 2 years ago and still hasn't hit PS+ for example.

Lol that's true my backlog is ridiculous but TLOU2 was on PSNOW a little over a year after its initial release

 

[R3claimer117]

Generally I agree with you except I don't think Sony is doing anything more/less wrong than Microsoft. They have every right to express their objection and yeah, some of their arguments are highly hyperbolic, just as Microsoft's are. And really I don't see that much will change overall between the two companies. It isn't like MS and Sony were best buds on the gaming side of things, but I think the hostility is concentrated with the console warriors more than on the corporate side of things just as always.



When did Sony say they can't exist with COD?

They said so in their response to the cma that foreclosure of call of duty could cause them to lose users and not make anymore investments in the space. Also no one can make a call
Of duty substitute.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

Lol that's true my backlog is ridiculous but TLOU2 was on PSNOW a little over a year after its initial release

PS Now was separate from PS+

#1 you still didn't own the game and PS Now was struggling
#2 If you had PS Now you almost certainly had PS+ so that's quite the commitment for TLOU2.

Not the same is my point.

 

[Topher]

Agreed, I think it's all or nothing for Microsoft.

AB was already for sale before Microsoft threw their name in the hat. If they're no longer able to be sold, what happens?

Kotick gets fired. New CEO comes on board and either finds another buyer or continues on as they were. Not really many other choices, I don't think.

They said so in their response to the cma that foreclosure of call of duty could cause them to lose users and not make anymore investments in the space. Also no one can make a call
Of duty substitute.

Lose users, obviously. Sony did not say they would cease investments in video games or that PlayStation would cease to exist.

 

[Swift_Star]

I am sorry, but this is reality. It is not going to be good relationship after this deal.

COD isn't entire Activision. They also make make money from pc and mobile. So it doesn't matter if they sell more copies on PS.

Bobby and his friends are getting fat check from this deal. Much more than what working with Activision for a long time would generate for them.

At 95 share, that is insane money. If this deal fails, their share would fall round $55 and lower. It's not going to look good for Sony.

Why? It’s their fault and MS’s fault for being greedy. And honestly if ABK gets devalued by this deal, good. They deserve it.

 

[R3claimer117]

I think people discount the knock-on effect of CoD especially.

if 18 million CoD players were to move to GamePass and Xbox from PlayStation, it's not just them that will leave. It'll be others too and it also impacts Sony's revenue on other games. If Someone plays CoD and Fifa and they go to Xbox, that's sony losing 30% of CoD and 30% on FIFA.

And obviously, it will impact 1st party sales as well.

But if I play against my friend in most games on PS but all of a sudden all my friends who are COD gamers go to Xbox, I may also be more likely to go to Xbox even if I don't play COD.

All this can happen with COD still on PS if it means most COD players assume it's more valuable to move to XB to play it on GamePass than buy it outright every year.

Can Sony compete directly with GamePass without a significant loss in revenue? No. There's nothing groundbreaking or earth-shattering about gamepass. Sony COULD implement the same deals with publishers tomorrow and put their own games there as well. There's nothing inherently unique or special about GamePass that Sony can't replicate save for the fact that they don't have the cash to bleed nor do they want to fundamentally transform their business model.

Microsoft has moved to subscription for Office, they're going to move there for Windows, and they want to replicate this on Xbox. They're not the market leader in console gaming, so they have little to lose by trying to change the market. This is normally how innovation happens by disrupting the market, the only difference is that Sony can't compete dollar for dollar with a trillion dollar company.

This is exactly what I have been saying. The problem is Sony doesn’t want this scenario at all because then they have to change how they do business.

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

And who do you think is the one making a mess for them right now?

The regulators? They are the ones filing suit and have the power and authority to nix the deal

 

[feynoob]

Kotick gets fired. New CEO comes on board and either finds another buyer or continues on as they were. Not really many other choices, I don't think.

Kotick is also going to be sued due to the employees incident, if this deal fails.
At least that is 1 positive thing we will get

 

[R3claimer117]

Why? It’s their fault and MS’s fault for being greedy. And honestly if ABK gets devalued by this deal, good. They deserve it.

Lmao what are you a child? Greedy? This is business if Sony had the financials to do this make no mistake they would and there’d be no call of duty for Microsoft ever again.

 

[feynoob]

The regulators? They are the ones filing suit and have the power and authority to nix the deal

No, not them. June, 2023 is for them.
You know the party, so let's not drag this down.

 

[feynoob]

Why? It’s their fault and MS’s fault for being greedy. And honestly if ABK gets devalued by this deal, good. They deserve it.

And who do you think the board is going to blame?
This isn't a Disney land.

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

No, not them. June, 2023 is for them.
You know the party, so let's not drag this down.

Huh?

 

[intheinbetween]

Why would you be shocked if it released on Xbox?

First SIE ever released on a competitor platform? Let me rephrase it, a Sony title on XBOX?

 

[feynoob]

Huh?

The deal was set until June 2023, because they expected resistance from regulators.

Right now, there is only 1 person who is vocal about this deal. And that person is making their relationship with Activision look bad.

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

The deal was set until June 2023, because they expected resistance from regulators.

Right now, there is only 1 person who is vocal about this deal. And that person is making their relationship with Activision look bad.

The regulators are vocal about this deal

You think Activision executives expected Sony to roll over on this?

 

[Three]

That wasn't to own.

but neither is gamepass or PS+ Extra/Premium.

First SIE ever released on a competitor platform? Let me rephrase it, a Sony title on XBOX?

MLB The Show is a Sony title. You can even see SIE logo on boot.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

but neither is gamepass or PS+ Extra/Premium.

As long as you keep PS+ you can keep the games. That isn't/wasn't the case with PS Now, which was my point.

 

[Three]

And who do you think the board is going to blame?
This isn't a Disney land.

The board does what's best for ABK. Shareholders aren't going to accept losses for a stupid grudge. That's not how business operates. As you said, this isn't disney land, it's business.

 

[Three]

As long as you keep PS+ you can keep the games. That isn't/wasn't the case with PS Now, which was my point.

With PS+ extra and premium? Are you sure? They have expiring licenses.

 

[Fess]

First SIE ever released on a competitor platform? Let me rephrase it, a Sony title on XBOX?

It has already happened, I even had the Sony logo as my background image on my Xbox because I thought it was so strange lol

But as said when the deal happened Bungie would be in control of the publishing and would keep their titles multiplatform. Guessing it’s like Mojang, their titles are bigger than some childish platform war.
As always though, things can change.

 

[feynoob]

The regulators are vocal about this deal

You think Activision executives expected Sony to roll over on this?

We must be watching different deal then.

 

[feynoob]

The board does what's best for ABK. Shareholders aren't going to accept losses for a stupid grudge. That's not how business operates. As you said, this isn't disney land, it's business.

It's business, like you said. And this deal involves alot of money, in which these boards are going to gain from this deal.
They are going to be angry for losing this potential money.

 

[jumpship]

First SIE ever released on a competitor platform? Let me rephrase it, a Sony title on XBOX?

MLB the show. It’s a PlayStation studios game.

So is that the reason? Just trying to understand why there’s so much doubt maybe I missed something that contradicts there statement.

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

We must be watching different deal then.

The same one where FTC is filing suit?

 

[feynoob]

MLB the show. It’s a PlayStation studios game.

So is that the reason? Just trying to understand why there’s so much doubt maybe I missed something that contradicts there statement.

Mlb is the reason why that game is there. Sony has nothing to do with it, since they don't own the license. Mlb does. And it's also on Switch this year.