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[CatLady]

It further stated: "Microsoft will not make any existing ZeniMax games exclusive to Xbox. They will continue to be available for purchase for PCs and other gaming hardware for which they are currently available, which will ensure that they continue to be available to current players of those games. Microsoft will not be removing players' access to any current games, no matter where they currently play." (Microsoft ZeniMax Form CO, January 29, 2021, at p. 13)


For future games, Microsoft also maintained its position: • In its merger notice to the European Commission on ZeniMax, Microsoft stated:

"Future decisions on whether to distribute ZeniMax games for other consoles will be made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account player demand and sentiment. Factors that will inform Microsoft's decision-making on future games include consumer demand and preference and the willingness of third parties to work with Microsoft to launch games for their devices." (Microsoft ZeniMax Form CO, January 29, 2021, at p. 5).

Maybe you guys shouldn't do selective quotations. The FTC is absurd this is what they promised.

Weird, I wonder why all that part of the quote was left out. Looks like several others were caught with their pants down.

 

[adamsapple]

It really is because this Zenimax statement to the EU reads very similarly to their submissions to the CMA re; ABK. You can take 'not incentivised' to now mean 'once that 10 year deal is over CoD's exclusive' using their own past submissions and behaviour against them.

oh I don't know about that, the discourse, or at least what's publicly known, is VASTLY different between Zenimax and Activision.

Hell, I don't even remember any single entity even making a notable fuss about Zenimax at all. That one sailed through very quick and effortlessly.

Weird, I wonder why all that part of the quote was left out. Looks like several others were caught with their pants down.

 

[feynoob]

Gonna be interesting to see how where the CMA & the EU go with this, I think that's where all eyes should be on tbh.

CMA is the only one that can actually kill this deal.

IF they kill it, this deal is basically dead.

 

[Topher]

"Microsoft has already shown that it can and will withhold content from its gaming rivals," said Holly Vedova, Director of the FTC's Bureau of Competition. "Today we seek to stop Microsoft from gaining control over a leading independent game studio and using it to harm competition in multiple dynamic and fast-growing gaming markets."

Clearly doesn't play FF7...

I was told playing PS games meant bias so….

 

[feynoob]

 

[akimbo009]

I was told playing PS games meant bias so….

HAH! Nice...

 

[adamsapple]

Agreeing .. with .. Kotick ?

 

[Ass of Can Whooping]

Agreeing .. with .. Kotick ?

We're all so shocked

 

[CatLady]

Remember when Deathloop and Ghostwire Toyko were blocked on PlayStation as soon as MS purchased Bethesda? Me either. Pants down indeed.

The lawsuit from the FTC will have to be supported in court. Looking forward to seeing the laws broken by this acquisition.

Can't say I remember that although I do remember when they were blocked on Xbox.

 

[feynoob]

 

[Neofire]

That is what we will see from now on.

Expect more interviews, and PR lobbying.

And all Sony has to do is connect the dots on MS's hypocrisy and point it out to the regulators. The Bethesda softworks buyout should be one of the main things they bring up.

 

[bender]

Agreeing .. with .. Kotick ?

What does Bobby taste like?

 

[akimbo009]

Agreeing .. with .. Kotick ?

What I think some fail to realize, that if this deal does fall through that ABK is really teetering in terms of being able to self-sustain. It won't remain independent since they would likely both downsize, and divest huge chunks of the company (to other companies).

 

[feynoob]

What I think some fail to realize, that if this deal does fall through that ABK is really teetering in terms of being able to self-sustain. It won't remain independent since they would likely both downsize, and divest huge chunks of the company (to other companies).

They are killing their studios to make COD alive.

 

[Fess]

Fucking hell, this is gonna take 300 years now, legal disputes of this nature drag for years.

Yup, this will halt everything for awhile, no more studio acquisitions or exclusivity deals, they have all eggs in one basket yet again, they never learn. And more expensive 1st party games in 2023 without a new big library of games on Gamepass. Hmm.

 

[Elog]

"We believe these arguments will win despite a regulatory environment focused on ideology and misconceptions about the tech industry".

Yeah...what tech-companies try to create localised monopolies to extract more money from their locked in user-base. No one does that!!

What a stupid statement. Please note to the warriors - Sony is trying to do exactly the same. And Apple. And MS. And Epic etc. The anti-trust authorities are absolutely right to look at a deal like this very very closely. The claim that Kotick is doing here is Trumpian in its rejection of reality.

 

[Banjo64]

getting spicy now

 

[bender]

What I think some fail to realize, that if this deal does fall through that ABK is really teetering in terms of being able to self-sustain. It won't remain independent since they would likely both downsize, and divest huge chunks of the company (to other companies).

This would be ideal.

 

[reksveks]

Expecting the injunction to happen sooner rather than later

 

[feynoob]

 

[adamsapple]

What does Bobby taste like?

Like someone who should be incarcerated

Can't say I remember that although I do remember when they were blocked on Xbox.

FTC is likely going to continue its losing streak in the court. Their arguments are pretty flimsy and if we can break them down on a forum in minutes, the lawyers will have a field-day.

 

[tmlDan]

I kinda hope the trial is publicly televised but i know it won't because private business deals cant be public.

 

[NickFire]

Gonna be interesting to see where the CMA & the EU go with this, I think that's where all eyes should be on tbh.

I believe this is exactly where we should be looking right now. Litigating if it should be approved in the US is one thing. Litigating if it should be approved on two different continents (against 3 governmental entities) is another beast altogether.

I think some heads will be exploding in the games media if she's taking a victory lap over this.

 

[bender]

Like someone who should be incarcerated

Lot's of conjugal visits lately?

 

[feynoob]

Guys the deal will go through. Lina is expecting concession from MS.

 

[akimbo009]

This would be ideal.

Not for those who would likely be fired in the process - and probably a large number of games/projects getting shuttered/cancelled. Dunno how that's ideal unless you just have an axe to grind. Which makes the FTC ruling a little odd. It's counter intuitive, and states MS has already used it's market power to "make games exclusive", when they aren't in the market power position - and then the advocacy for ABK to remain independent when the natural conclusion is that they won't be independent - they'll get picked up by Tencent or Embracer Group, etc. Which may be ok, but the conclusion is 'if not MS, then it'll be someone' (and neither of the last two examples are small and in the case of Tencent gives them even more market power in Mobile which they already dominate).

 

[adamsapple]

Oh shit. So they only want a cut of the pie

 

[Topher]

Guys the deal will go through. Lina is expecting concession from MS.

OK

 

[SenjutsuSage]

Bold move. Look at the current stock movements, it's all about reactions from this, there is too much uncertainty now, I'd say it's better to buy at drops and sell if it bounce up between the drops.

The reason to hold my stock is because Activision's stock is safe with or without the Microsoft deal because of Activision's core business strength. COD is going to make another bag next year, strength is all over the business with or without the deal, so it's pretty safe. And don't forget in the event that the unthinkable occurs and the FTC wins (they won't) Activision gets $3 billion directly. So not panicking and keeping the stock is the smartest move. It only makes sense to NOT hold the stock if you aren't confident that Activision will have a good 2023.

 

[feynoob]

OK

The only way people can see, and now its very tiny.
Gotta enjoy the chaos.

 

[Ass of Can Whooping]

It only makes sense to NOT hold the stock if you aren't confident that Activision will have a good 2023.

You really have no idea how the stock market operates lol

 

[bender]

Not for those who would likely be fired in the process - and probably a large number of games/projects getting shuttered/cancelled.

All of that is already happening with a massive corporation that has the profits from the likes of King, COD and World of Warcraft. Maybe just maybe the answer isn't to be swallowed up by an even larger corporation.

 

[adamsapple]

 

[Ass of Can Whooping]

Poor lulu just wants her money

 

[adamsapple]

Poor lulu just wants her money

We should all be a Lulu, not a Lina.

 

[R3claimer117]

Expecting the injunction to happen sooner rather than later

Lmao this is the funny part of it all they're using this as a publicity stunt they know they won't win in court it's so stupid. So they'll say after Microsoft and activision closes we tried to our best we are fighting big tech smh .

 

[Fess]

The reason to hold my stock is because Activision's stock is safe with or without the Microsoft deal because of Activision's core business strength. COD is going to make another bag next year, strength is all over the business with or without the deal, so it's pretty safe. And don't forget in the event that the unthinkable occurs and the FTC wins (they won't) Activision gets $3 billion directly. So not panicking and keeping the stock is the smartest move. It only makes sense to NOT hold the stock if you aren't confident that Activision will have a good 2023.

I know the stock will be fine long term but there will be multiple bumps on the way which is a perfect opportunity to do some quick trades and earn some money from this instability.

 

[Thirty7ven]

What the rats don't understand is that we live in a post Johny Depp vs Amber Heard world.

 

[SEGAvangelist]

Yup, this will halt everything for awhile, no more studio acquisitions or exclusivity deals, they have all eggs in one basket yet again, they never learn. And more expensive 1st party games in 2023 without a new big library of games on Gamepass. Hmm.

I think they can still do deals. Also, I don't think they'll have a problem putting out games over the next few years.

 

[Ezekiel_]

He's right, tho. If Sony wants to make PS+ more competitive with Game Pass, they'd have to be willing to release their AAA titles day and date on their service, just like MS does. They'd have to be willing to score deals with 3rd party pubs to release games day and date on Game Pass, just like MS does. And, worst case for Sony if this deal goes through, they'd have to find a way to compete against CoD being available day and date on Game Pass.

This doesn't mean Sony won't continue to do better in gaming space, it just means that in order for Sony to put their sub service in a position to be more attractive than Game Pass, they'd have to do a few things that so far they don't seem all that interested in doing.

You guys are missing the irony though : Sony's been competing, and they've been doing a damn fine job at it, evident by their marketshare and revenue.

Buying the largest third party supplier isn't 'competing'.
It's circumventing healthy competition, competition based on merits.
It's bypassing having to actually create value for consumers, instead opting to buy someone else's IPs.

Anyone can win a race against Usain Bolt if they're allowed to bring a car on the race track.

MS doesn't need ABK to 'compete' or to 'innovate'. It's just the easiest for these megacorps to please their shareholders.

Great summary : https://www.economicliberties.us/pr...osofts-aggressive-push-to-monopolize-gaming/#

Washington, D.C. — Ahead of Microsoft reported meeting with Federal Trade Commission today, along with news that Microsoft has offered concessions to Sony and Nintendo in an effort to secure their proposed acquisition of Activision-Blizzard, the American Economic Liberties Project released the following statement.

"Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of Activision is an unlawful merger that will undermine the vitality of an important sector of the American economy and consolidate the video game industry into a small group of firms who control walled gardens of content, data, and advertising," said Sarah Miller, Executive Director of the American Economic Liberties Project.

"Microsoft's recent promises not to abuse that power by making preemptive concessions to Sony and Nintendo reinforce the underlying illegality of the original deal," Miller added. "The antitrust agencies' long history of overseeing failed settlements, even when appropriately negotiated with the agency rather than as part of a PR strategy, suggest an outright block is the appropriate response."

"We understand why Microsoft is seeking monopoly power in this area," said Miller. "In a recent Wall Street Journal piece, Microsoft President Brad Smith argued that his firm's real goal is to break into the mobile app gaming sector, where Apple and Google have ironclad control because of their chokehold on App Stores. As Smith wrote, acquiring 'Activision Blizzard would enable Microsoft to compete against these companies.'"

"Microsoft's claim that Apple and Google have monopoly control over the mobile ecosystem is reasonable," Miller added. "This control prevents video game firms, and not just Microsoft, from competing fairly on important platforms. The appropriate response, however, is not to grant Microsoft corresponding market power so it can cut special deals, but to break Google and Apple's control over the mobile ecosystem, as Congress and a number of state legislators are currently considering. We also encourage the Department of Justice Antitrust Division to bring an antitrust case against Apple over its app store market power."

"The right response to one set of monopolies – Apple and Google – is not to further entrench another monopoly – Microsoft – to fight them," said Miller. "The antitrust laws are designed to foster an open and competitive economy, one where the little guy can compete on the merits, and not one based on getting permission from a monopolist to get access to a market."

 

[Thirty7ven]

 

[bentanchorbolt]

You guys are missing the irony though : Sony's been competing, and they've been doing a damn fine job at it, evident by their marketshare and revenue.

Buying the largest third party supplier isn't 'competing'.
It's circumventing healthy competition, competition based on merits.
It's bypassing having to actually create value for consumers, instead opting to buy someone else's IPs.

Anyone can win a race against Usain Bolt if they're allowed to bring a car on the race track.

MS doesn't need ABK to 'compete' or to 'innovate'. It's just the easiest for these megacorps to please their shareholders.

Great summary : https://www.economicliberties.us/pr...osofts-aggressive-push-to-monopolize-gaming/#

you must be responding to someone else. Unsure how anything you said applies to what I said.

 

[jhjfss]

Some one translate this into english for me. Why not file an injunction ?

 

[xHunter]

I would blame Pachter since he gave the deal his kiss of death today.

 

[SenjutsuSage]

I know the stock will be fine long term but there will be multiple bumps on the way which is a perfect opportunity to do some quick trades and earn some money from this instability.

All the other investments are solid. The reason to rush out of Activision (which is what I would recommend if you can't afford to lose what you have at the moment) is if you're concerned about and need the money immediately for something else. If you're safe and secure, and know that the core business is going to be okay, and you aren't in need of the funds, then you can hold and let the turbulence happen.

 

[feynoob]

Some one translate this into english for me. Why not file an injunction ?

They want concessions.

 

[CatLady]

And all Sony has to do is connect the dots on MS's hypocrisy and point it out to the regulators. The Bethesda softworks buyout should be one of the main things they bring up.

Sony is not part of the lawsuit; the case will be between the FTC and Microsoft. Sony has nothing to do with and NO say in the court proceedings.

 

[Thirty7ven]

Don't worry there will always be Wednesday Nights at Sega.

 

[SlimySnake]

Some one translate this into english for me. Why not file an injunction ?

Because its all posturing.

 

[Elog]

Some one translate this into english for me. Why not file an injunction ?

Either one is coming or they negotiated with MS about what concessions that MS need to make for the FTC to support the deal. MS did not agree and now the FTC increases the pressure for MS to make more concessions (since this legal process will at a minimum result in economic value loss for MS).