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[Ozzy Onya A2Z]

People keep saying the CMA has a negative outlook on this because of their phase one findings. Didn't they say themselves that their public posting were not indicative of what their decision or even positioning was on the deal.

It's a due process and hopefully remains unbiased or without political/lobbying agendas in the way of the result.

 

[DarkMage619]

People keep saying the CMA has a negative outlook on this because of their phase one findings. Didn't they say themselves that their public posting were not indicative of what their decision or even positioning was on the deal.

I'm guessing there is a high probability that the CMA will mirror the same arguments the FTC has. The only thing is the CMA has no judicial review so their word is largely final. We'll see if MS has any alternatives to acquiring studios.

 

[Ezekiel_]

I'm guessing there is a high probability that the CMA will mirror the same arguments the FTC has. The only thing is the CMA has no judicial review so their word is largely final. We'll see if MS has any alternatives to acquiring studios.

Here's an idea : maybe they can work on making games instead? You know, actually try to compete in the industry they want to be a part of?

 

[DarkMage619]

Here's an idea : maybe they can work on making games instead? You know, actually try to compete in the industry they want to be a part of?

Yes yes Xbox has no gmaes got it.

 

[akimbo009]

Here's an idea : maybe they can work on making games instead? You know, actually try to compete in the industry they want to be a part of?

So acquisition is now off the table. And if you read FTCs ruling, exclusives are also an abuse of market power. So what then? These have been mainstays for platform holders forever.

 

[diffusionx]

Seems like the chance of this deal going through went down significantly today.

 

[R3claimer117]

I'm guessing there is a high probability that the CMA will mirror the same arguments the FTC has. The only thing is the CMA has no judicial review so their word is largely final. We'll see if MS has any alternatives to acquiring studios.

Sounds like wishful thinking to me lol

 

[DarkMage619]

Sounds like wishful thinking to me lol

Well if the Sony way is the only way, MS can pay large sums of money to secure 3rd party timed and permanent exclusives. I'm sure no one will have any problems with that.

 

[akimbo009]

Well if the Sony way is the only way, MS can pay large sums of money to secure 3rd party timed and permanent exclusives. I'm sure no one will have any problems with that.

Tomb Raider says sarcasm?

 

[Loxus]

Again. You need to separate PR statement from actual lies.

But since you are not willing to do that or to provide actual lies that Spencer said, I have nothing more to say to you. I'll just add: "Keep you hate boner strong"

How about now?

 

[Loxus]

Imagine going on a vendetta against a CEO for hyping up his own show. His own opinions too.

Agree with him or not, but he always tried to qualify his statements at the beginning or end of his events.

The 'Spencer is a liar' crap some of you do is probably the most distasteful evolution of console warz here.

With the recent events, you still think Phil isn't a liar?

 

[Ozzy Onya A2Z]

Tin foil hat time -

What is the chance Phil pulled everything Xbox from The Game Awards in light of the current regulation? Look so many games from Nintendo and Sony and PC/Steam, oh my, you can play on so many devices. Xbox didn't even have a game there, see.

Weird there wasn't any heavy COD marketing for a game that just dropped. Look again, we're not dominant at all...

LOL

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

Tin foil hat time -

What is the chance Phil pulled everything Xbox from The Game Awards in light of the current regulation? Look so many games from Nintendo and Sony and PC/Steam, oh my, you can play on so many devices. Xbox didn't even have a game there, see.

Weird there wasn't any heavy COD marketing for a game that just dropped. Look again, we're not dominant at all...

LOL

This was going to be a day for celebrarion...sony shit all over it. I am glad Elden Ring won GOTY. I am worried about Phil's mental health

 

[Ezekiel_]

Well if the Sony way is the only way, MS can pay large sums of money to secure 3rd party timed and permanent exclusives. I'm sure no one will have any problems with that.

Or they could... make great games?

 

[adamsapple]

With the recent events, you still think Phil isn't a liar?

Aye man, did Phil or someone he knows bully you in school ?

You've got a real vendetta going on here

 

[Topher]

Tin foil hat time -

What is the chance Phil pulled everything Xbox from The Game Awards in light of the current regulation? Look so many games from Nintendo and Sony and PC/Steam, oh my, you can play on so many devices. Xbox didn't even have a game there, see.

Weird there wasn't any heavy COD marketing for a game that just dropped. Look again, we're not dominant at all...

LOL

Aaron Greenberg's twiddling his thumbs like mad right now. lol

 

[R3claimer117]

Aaron Greenberg's twiddling his thumbs like mad right now. lol

I don't think any of those guys are stressed over this then people on this forum. For one they have more information than us. They also have the best lawyers money can pay for I wouldn't be spiking the football just yet.

 

[Topher]

I don't think any of those guys are stressed over this then people on this forum. For one they have more information than us. They also have the best lawyers money can pay for I wouldn't be spiking the football just yet.

It was a joke

 

[skyfinch]

Tin foil hat time -

What is the chance Phil pulled everything Xbox from The Game Awards in light of the current regulation? Look so many games from Nintendo and Sony and PC/Steam, oh my, you can play on so many devices. Xbox didn't even have a game there, see.

Weird there wasn't any heavy COD marketing for a game that just dropped. Look again, we're not dominant at all...

LOL

Well, the show was supposed to be longer. Maybe the reason why they cut the show time down was because Microsoft took their games out of the show. Kind of odd to see Phil there if especially since no game were shown.

 

[feynoob]

📣 Update on the Activision Blizzard and Microsoft Merger

Activision Blizzard and Microsoft together will bring even more choice and epic entertainment to our community of hundreds of million of players

activisionblizzard.substack.com

 

[feynoob]

With the recent events, you still think Phil isn't a liar?

Why are you so obsesed with him?
I dont get it, do you have unhealthy relationship with him?

The dude doesnt even know you exist. You are making a fool of yourself here.

 

[dotnotbot]

Meltdown under FTC's posts on twitter is insane

 

[feynoob]

Meltdown under FTC's posts on twitter is insane

The state of gaming is shit, when we are now rooting for trillion dollars company.

 

[pasterpl]

Or they could... make great games?

You cannot judging a console purely on exclusives. Look and sales of Sony 1st party vs top selling 3rd party on playstation. Not even close.

 

[Iced Arcade]

I dunno... I personally can't wait for it to go to court. Sony will get subpoenaed and MS and Sony dirty little exclusive deal contracts will be hung out like dirty drawls inside out.

 

[Kagey K]

Tin foil hat time -

What is the chance Phil pulled everything Xbox from The Game Awards in light of the current regulation? Look so many games from Nintendo and Sony and PC/Steam, oh my, you can play on so many devices. Xbox didn't even have a game there, see.

Weird there wasn't any heavy COD marketing for a game that just dropped. Look again, we're not dominant at all...

LOL

I think the 1 ad they ran about resets, and join us in 2023 basically said what they wanted to say.

 

[pasterpl]

if this deal doesn't go through; I can imagine ABK being very sour with Sony (investors will potentially loose a lot of money, ms offer vs current share price, and the majority of investors voted in favour of the deal), their next marketing deal might be with Microsoft and cover all of their IPs and gamepass. Obviously ms would compensate ABK for these.

 

[DarkMage619]

Tomb Raider says sarcasm?

Well Final Fantasy and Street Fighter shows it's the way to handle business. MS should take note. No one complained then.

Well, the show was supposed to be longer. Maybe the reason why they cut the show time down was because Microsoft took their games out of the show. Kind of odd to see Phil there if especially since no game were shown.

It's MS theater. Major figures from MS should be in attendance.

if this deal doesn't go through; I can imagine ABK being very sour with Sony (investors will potentially loose a lot of money, ms offer vs current share price, and the majority of investors voted in favour of the deal), their next marketing deal might be with Microsoft and cover all of their IPs and gamepass. Obviously ms would compensate ABK for these.

I'd like to see MS acquire a minority 49% stake in ABK and make them a 2nd party.

 

[Ozzy Onya A2Z]

I think the 1 ad they ran about resets, and join us in 2023 basically said what they wanted to say.

That's Hot.gif.

I missed that ad.

 

[Kagey K]

That's Hot.gif.

I missed that ad.

In the TGA thread people are talking about them running 1000 ads, yet some people didn't see the 1 ad they actually aired.

 

[akimbo009]

Well Final Fantasy and Street Fighter shows it's the way to handle business. MS should take note. No one complained then.

It's MS theater. Major figures from MS should be in attendance.


I'd like to see MS acquire a minority 49% stake in ABK and make them a 2nd party.

I don't understand stand your post about my quote... People definitely cared when MS moneyhatted Tomb Raider... This place was a shit show over it.

But it's not like Sony doesn't moneyhat, they do, but it seems ok when they do it. But I think it's always been the case that MS does push an edge and folks are quicker to call them to the mat versus others.

 

[Kagey K]

I don't understand stand your post about my quote... People definitely cared when MS moneyhatted Tomb Raider... This place was a shit show over it.

But it's not like Sony doesn't moneyhat, they do, but it seems ok when they do it. But I think it's always been the case that MS does push an edge and folks are quicker to call them to the mat versus others.

If MS gets a deal they bought it, if Sony gets one they earned it.

It's as simple as that and not worth trying to argue against. (I've learned the hard way)

 

[DarkMage619]

I don't understand stand your post about my quote... People definitely cared when MS moneyhatted Tomb Raider... This place was a shit show over it.

But it's not like Sony doesn't moneyhat, they do, but it seems ok when they do it. But I think it's always been the case that MS does push an edge and folks are quicker to call them to the mat versus others.

My point is that clearly the FTC has stated buying big companies isn't allowed. I completely agree that when Sony does timed and permanent 3rd party exclusives it's OK so it should be OK for MS to do it too. You are also absolutely right there is a double-standard but at this point there is only one way to get games that aren't directly made internally. Sony can get both internal and external exclusives MS should do it too.

 

[gothmog]

http://[URL][URL]https://activisionblizzard.substack.com/p/update-on-the-activision-blizzard

[/URL][/URL]

That didn't age well.

 

[gothmog]

My point is that clearly the FTC has stated buying big companies isn't allowed. I completely agree that when Sony does timed and permanent 3rd party exclusives it's OK so it should be OK for MS to do it too. You are also absolutely right there is a double-standard but at this point there is only one way to get games that aren't directly made internally. Sony can get both internal and external exclusives MS should do it too.

The FTC never said anything like that.

 

[DarkMage619]

The FTC never said anything like that.

There is nothing wrong with this acquisition aside from the size. If it wasn't as large and if MS wasn't as large this would have sailed through easily. There was no evidence that competition in the overall gaming industry would be hurt by this acquisition.

 

[plip.plop]

Serious question here. Say this acquisition does not go through, did Sony ruin its relationship with Activision in terms of securing future exclusive content or marketing rights for COD and future titles?

 

[DenchDeckard]

Well, at least whichever way this goes...its open season on anyone locking any type of exclusivity deal right.

It's gonna be bloody, kinda punchy knuckles kinda industry again and no one will be able to complain. Everything will be open season.

It's going to be an interesting future for games. ....I hope.

 

[DarkMage619]

Serious question here. Say this acquisition does not go through, did Sony ruin its relationship with Activision in terms of securing future exclusive content or marketing rights for COD and future titles?

If MS isn't paying the most Activision will be loyal to the highest bidder. They might grumble then cash the check.

 

[intheinbetween]

My point is that clearly the FTC has stated buying big companies isn't allowed. I completely agree that when Sony does timed and permanent 3rd party exclusives it's OK so it should be OK for MS to do it too. You are also absolutely right there is a double-standard but at this point there is only one way to get games that aren't directly made internally. Sony can get both internal and external exclusives MS should do it too.

The thing is, how many big companies are currently in the industry? is this a hostile takeover? how many other companies have raised their voice against this deal besides Sony? is ABK publicly open to be acquired by any company? would it be different if instead of MS it was Tencent the one acquiring ABK? does this mean MS, nor Sony nor Nintendo can acquired companies such as Capcom or Square Enix? acquiring big companies isn't allowed but eating smaller ones with the risk of destroying their potential is accepted?

I couldn't care less about most of ABK portfolio, CoD hasn't been of my interest ever, so as a gamer it doesn't matter to me, however I find it very interesting just one competitor, actually the current leader in the market, is raising its voice and it seems it is the one deciding for the sake of the industry while they are just looking to keep their benefits.

If the deal doesn't go through I don't know if MS will be open to invest that money in other acquisitions or locking down exclusive content for their platform, but if they choose to invest in getting exclusives it will be really funny to read some reactions.

 

[feynoob]

Key takeaways from this FTC move.

They are suing to block it, unlike blindly approving it(much needed stance).
Their points are weak, and not the same as CMA(CMA one is very strong, this one looks like last minute scramble)
MS semi plunder (very good catch). Still, MS can counter it, by showing that they honored their zenimax deal, by not canceling the timed exclusive, and allowing deathloop and Skyrim on PS+.
MS will win the court argument, due to how weak the FTC argument is.(don't like it, but that is the reality).
FTC can get a very strong concession here. (highly important, as this allows them to not repeat Facebook mistake)

 

[Kenneth Haight]

Big Phil is in the hot seat, looks like a man under pressure. Do you think Satya is screaming at him right now?

 

[The_Mike]

Which consoles let you play the biggest third party AAA games

PlayStation thanks to Sony money hattijg everything.

 

[feynoob]

Big Phil is in the hot seat, looks like a man under pressure. Do you think Satya is screaming at him right now?

FTC stance was going to happen.
MS knows that very well, which is why they went full PR before the meeting.

 

[feynoob]

Which consoles let you play the biggest third party AAA games

PC

 

[Banjo64]

But you can't argue that blocking this deal is harmful to PC and Xbox players..

You can argue that. Microsoft buy Zenimax and ABK and future publishers. PlayStation shrink. Microsoft increase the price of Game Pass to £29.99 a month because 'it's still less than half the price of just one game'. Microsoft stop selling CoD, so if you want to play it you're forced to pay £29.99 a month (or £360 a year).

There's various ways that this could potentially harm Xbox and PC players, you are just thinking of the here and now where Game Pass costs £7.99.

 

[Clintizzle]

Serious question here. Say this acquisition does not go through, did Sony ruin its relationship with Activision in terms of securing future exclusive content or marketing rights for COD and future titles?

I don't think so. Business at this scale can't be run on decisions made because of petty disputes.

 

[feynoob]

You can argue that. Microsoft buy Zenimax and ABK and future publishers. PlayStation shrink. Microsoft increase the price of Game Pass to £29.99 a month because 'it's still less than half the price of just one game'. Microsoft stop selling CoD, so if you want to play it you're forced to pay £29.99 a month (or £360 a year).

There's various ways that this could potentially harm Xbox and PC players, you are just thinking of the here and now where Game Pass costs £7.99.

Stopping to sell the game is far fetched here.

A good argument would be MS using COD IP to get what they want.

 

[Banjo64]

Stopping to sell the game is far fetched here.

A good argument would be MS using COD IP to get what they want.

Is it far fetched, possibly, could MS do it? Yeah. Life goes in circles though, and when a World of Warcraft subscription costs as much as $15 a month for access to ONE game - how do we know what the long term ambition is?

If they acquire enough of the market (and continue acquiring the most popular casual games like CoD) they'd have everyone by the balls.

 

[Banjo64]

Like I'm sure Microsoft Office used to be a one off fee for unlimited access but now you have to subscribe for a yearly fee?