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

Do you believe the deal will be approved?

  • Yes, will be approved without changes.

    Votes: 221 24.9%

  • Yes, will be approved but with structural changes to ABK.

    Votes: 102 11.5%

  • Yes, will be approved but only with behavioral concessions.

    Votes: 262 29.6%

  • No, will not be approved.

    Votes: 301 34.0%
  • Total voters
    886
  • Poll closed .
Status
Not open for further replies.
feynoob said:
MS spent $7.5b on zenimax. What stops them from doing the same thing as Sony?
With that money, MS can get 75 AAA games timed exclusive on their consoles.
Don't tell me MS are poor and can't do that.


Anything is possible in the future. MS could have a change of leader in their top division and could shutdown their gaming operations.
You can't take everything for granted. Future is unpredictable.

It took Phil and Satya to invest on Xbox. Without them, MS could have sold the division.



Again, this isn't about Sony.
Don't try and derail the topic.
Click to expand...

not derailing the topic, you said this deal is bad for consumers. I see it consumer friendly. I own both PS and xbox, I want this deal to go through, we need a strong Xbox brand to keep pushing Sony. I don't want any of the big 2 to be ahead of each other. for the past 2 gens we had it pushed down our throats that Sony have the best games and this is true. now Microsoft wants to buy Activision we have the narrative of Sony not being able too survive without Cod which is pathetic in my opinion.

I sub to Both PS+ and gamepass so any deal that gets more3 games on either service is better for me as a consumer
 
phil_t98 said:
not derailing the topic, you said this deal is bad for consumers. I see it consumer friendly. I own both PS and xbox, I want this deal to go through, we need a strong Xbox brand to keep pushing Sony. I don't want any of the big 2 to be ahead of each other. for the past 2 gens we had it pushed down our throats that Sony have the best games and this is true. now Microsoft wants to buy Activision we have the narrative of Sony not being able too survive without Cod which is pathetic in my opinion.

I sub to Both PS+ and gamepass so any deal that gets more3 games on either service is better for me as a consumer
Click to expand...
If Xbox can't push Sony with the developers that they have, they are in big trouble with or without Activision.
 
PaintTinJr said:
That's an interesting counter argument from Todd, I wonder if the discover phase will show documentation and financial payments that contradict his statement.

I mean they put out Skyrim on the weakest selling PlayStation of all time (the PS3) in a day one state that had it run at single digit fps in buggy areas, so they clearly need all the money they can get from selling games multi-platform, and I'm sure the FTC will show Zenimax finances before MSFT buying them, that Elder Scroll, Starfield and Redfall all needed to release on PlayStation to keep them ticking along as a business, and that Xbox buying them exclusively indefinitely to deny PlayStation's huge player base was beyond normal money spent for exclusives.
Click to expand...
Todd statement is true, considering Bethesda started elderscrolls consoles on OG Xbox.

Xbox would naturally have more fans compared to PS.
 
phil_t98 said:
not derailing the topic, you said this deal is bad for consumers. I see it consumer friendly
Click to expand...
It only benefits MS, not you the consumer.

phil_t98 said:
I own both PS and xbox, I want this deal to go through, we need a strong Xbox brand to keep pushing Sony. I don't want any of the big 2 to be ahead of each other. for the past 2 gens we had it pushed down our throats that Sony have the best games and this is true. now Microsoft wants to buy Activision we have the narrative of Sony not being able too survive without Cod which is pathetic in my opinion
Click to expand...
You are not MS. This deal doesn't make MS competitive.
MS has tons issues, which Activision won't fix it.
And Activision games have been coming to Xbox, only difference is it will be under MS.

MS is dead in Japan, considering how most Japanese devs ignore the console.


phil_t98 said:
I sub to Both PS+ and gamepass so any deal that gets more3 games on either service is better for me as a consumer
Click to expand...
Doesn't matter, which one you Sub to.
Consumers come and leave those services.
 
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phil_t98 said:
not derailing the topic, you said this deal is bad for consumers. I see it consumer friendly. I own both PS and xbox, I want this deal to go through, we need a strong Xbox brand to keep pushing Sony. I don't want any of the big 2 to be ahead of each other. for the past 2 gens we had it pushed down our throats that Sony have the best games and this is true. now Microsoft wants to buy Activision we have the narrative of Sony not being able too survive without Cod which is pathetic in my opinion.

I sub to Both PS+ and gamepass so any deal that gets more3 games on either service is better for me as a consumer
Click to expand...
You are missing the point that the market has repeatedly chosen a different winner than Xbox for their 20years in the game - and that they only entice the US and UK markets in large numbers and are lucky if they serve more than one third of the world console gaming market with a product the consumer is prepared to buy.

The best interests of consumers are served when multi-platform games are free to sell on platforms - without caveats or pricing disparity - on the hardware the consumers have chosen and that the independent publisher choses, whether that be a Nintendo or Sony console, or an Xbox.

Your solution is everyone should forego the consideration of buying less than all platforms - which is a no competition solution I might add - and then rather than convince the weakest link - through the need to compete - to improve, they should just get to buy up the most popular/lucrative games to sell as first party, and then put the pressure on the strongest platforms to provide even more great games.

Thinking about it, PlayStation probably would survive and thrive long after ES and CoD are dead IPs, and provide better alternatives, but the point is that it is Xbox that has to give gamers something new that they want to entice them to buy their platform in Nintendo and PlayStation numbers. It really is that simple, and buying Activision is at best bad for CoD players if MSFT kills the franchise, and at worst the means of giving the keys of the kingdom to the weakest platform to starve out the competition like a VHS and Betamax situation, where Betamax couldn't get all the films on the format in time with VHS.
 
feynoob said:
It only benefits MS, not you the consumer.


You are not MS. This deal doesn't make MS competitive.
MS has tons issues, which Activision won't fix it.
And Activision games have been coming to Xbox, only difference is it will be under MS.

MS is dead in Japan, considering how most Japanese devs ignore the console.
Click to expand...
Are you flip-flopping on this just for the sake of "fun"?
 
feynoob said:
It only benefits MS, not you the consumer.


You are not MS. This deal doesn't make MS competitive.
MS has tons issues, which Activision won't fix it.
And Activision games have been coming to Xbox, only difference is it will be under MS.

MS is dead in Japan, considering how most Japanese devs ignore the console.



Doesn't matter, which one you Sub to.
Consumers come and leave those services.
Click to expand...

I am a consumer, if a game comes to gamepass day one it benefits me. how do you not see this?
 
feynoob said:
Todd statement is true, considering Bethesda started elderscrolls consoles on OG Xbox.

Xbox would naturally have more fans compared to PS.
Click to expand...
But did they pay for it? Discovery would make his statement a lie if they were enticed by Microsoft to forego a PS2 release, although the argument is disingenuous if referencing PS2, because memory and lack of HDD made it exclusive, and Microsoft lost over $100 per console - we now know - so they paid for the exclusivity via hardware cost that was being paid for by Windows/Office revenues.
 
phil_t98 said:
no you said that Microsoft should be able to compete with what they already have, I said with Sony being ahead why should they of bought Bungie. I mean they already competing way ahead
Click to expand...
You initially said you want a strong Xbox brand to keep pushing Sony. My response is with all the studios MS has they should be pushing Sony now. There is no excuse as to why MS is flailing in third place with a shitty Halo launch and zero AAA releases in 2022.

They (xbox) are the rich kid in college whose daddy (MS) is repeatedly bailing them out of their shitty performance. The Activision purchase isn't going to fix any of that shit. It's just going to give MS the ability to slap the Xbox logo on already popular mobile games.
 
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PaintTinJr said:
You are missing the point that the market has repeatedly chosen a different winner than Xbox for their 20years in the game - and that they only entice the US and UK markets in large numbers and are lucky if they serve more than one third of the world console gaming market with a product the consumer is prepared to buy.

The best interests of consumers are served when multi-platform games are free to sell on platforms - without caveats or pricing disparity - on the hardware the consumers have chosen and that the independent publisher choses, whether that be a Nintendo or Sony console, or an Xbox.

Your solution is everyone should forego the consideration of buying less than all platforms - which is a no competition solution I might add - and then rather than convince the weakest link - through the need to compete - to improve, they should just get to buy up the most popular/lucrative games to sell as first party, and then put the pressure on the strongest platforms to provide even more great games.

Thinking about it, PlayStation probably would survive and thrive long after ES and CoD are dead IPs, and provide better alternatives, but the point is that it is Xbox that has to give gamers something new that they want to entice them to buy their platform in Nintendo and PlayStation numbers. It really is that simple, and buying Activision is at best bad for CoD players if MSFT kills the franchise, and at worst the means of giving the keys of the kingdom to the weakest platform to starve out the competition like a VHS and Betamax situation, where Betamax couldn't get all the films on the format in time with VHS.
Click to expand...

Well thought out post with some solid with good points.

To me, this acquisition is a double-edged sword for Microsoft. In their capitulation to regulators they have made public just how poor a state XBOX as a platform is. GP/CLOUD and presence as a console are not in a great state. Which makes the purchase of COD a huge risk. Microsoft self admitted they can't compete with PS quality... Just imagine if PS turns their attention to the FPS market and goes all in on a COD rival. In fact, don't imagine. If they lose COD they will build their own.

Most of the conversation is hinged on COD never being surpassed. But If you play COD, you know it can be surpassed.
 
PaintTinJr said:
But did they pay for it? Discovery would make his statement a lie if they were enticed by Microsoft to forego a PS2 release, although the argument is disingenuous if referencing PS2, because memory and lack of HDD made it exclusive, and Microsoft lost over $100 per console - we now know - so they paid for the exclusivity via hardware cost that was being paid for by Windows/Office revenues.
Click to expand...
Morrowind= OG Xbox
Oblivion= 1 year timed exclusive on Xbox 360. 1.7m sold
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.en...ds-record-sales-1-7-million-and-climbing.html
Skyrim=13.7m (estimate) x360.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_Xbox_360_video_games

xbox is their main console, after PC.
 
Three said:
59 to 60 exclusives is the strangest. Activision Blizzard King reduced to producing 1 game in its lifetime confirmed. I thought this wasn't about exclusivity anyway but about "choice"?
Click to expand...
If You Say So Shrug GIF
 
feynoob said:
Morrowind= OG Xbox
Oblivion= 1 year timed exclusive on Xbox 360. 1.7m sold
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.en...ds-record-sales-1-7-million-and-climbing.html
Skyrim=13.7m (estimate) x360.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_Xbox_360_video_games

xbox is their main console, after PC.
Click to expand...
Its pretty obvious why. Xbox was always more related to pcs. Its easier to port your shitty engine.
Try porting your shitty engine to a completey different Hardware/OS.
 
feynoob said:
Gaming is more than gamepass.
Click to expand...

No shit. Didn't say otherwise.

But, but, but… my consequences! There are always dinosaurs standing in the way of progress.

Remember when EA Access was supposed to lead to a world where every publisher has their own subscription service, jacks up the prices of their games substantially, and then also locks games/content behind a subscription? Pepperidge Farm remembers.
 
phil_t98 said:
I am a consumer, if a game comes to gamepass day one it benefits me. how do you not see this?
Click to expand...
Again for the last time, you do not own Activision.

Your job as a consumer, is to consume.

MS is the one that would own Activision. And the rights to do whatever they want to.

You as the consumer can decide to leave gamepass and Xbox platforms, if you don't like their directions. In the end, there is no benefit for you.
 
Bumblebeetuna said:
No shit. Didn't say otherwise.

But, but, but… my consequences! There are always dinosaurs standing in the way of progress.

Remember when EA Access was supposed to lead to a world where every publisher has their own subscription service, jacks up the prices of their games substantially, and then also locks games/content behind a subscription? Pepperidge Farm remembers.
Click to expand...
EA doesn't have the ability to spend $75b on the market.
 
Bumblebeetuna said:
No shit. Didn't say otherwise.

But, but, but… my consequences! There are always dinosaurs standing in the way of progress.

Remember when EA Access was supposed to lead to a world where every publisher has their own subscription service, jacks up the prices of their games substantially, and then also locks games/content behind a subscription? Pepperidge Farm remembers.
Click to expand...
Gamepass is not progress lol
 
Topher said:
"The Judge's Initial Decision is subject to review by the full Federal Trade Commission on its own motion"

That still floors me. It is as if the administrative judge is only making a recommendation which the commission can fully overrule.
Click to expand...
Does that mean the FTC had a chance with that case?
 
Also meta lawyers are doing some big jobs against FTC.
Idas.
Yesterday the lawyer from META hammered so much the FTC's expert witness and the survey used to define the relevant market in the Within case that the judge is already considering throwing it out :p
Click to expand...
 
Bumblebeetuna said:
Agreed. The benefits for GamePass users are great. Watching people feign ignorance as to how or why gamers wouldn't want this deal to go through is weird, like some of the takes in this thread.
Click to expand...
It's simple: people shouldn't be forced to integrate the MS Ecosystem to play previously available on all platforms games. Why is that hard for you to understand?
 
feynoob said:
Does that mean the FTC had a chance with that case?
Click to expand...

"The Initial Decision will become the final decision of the Commission 30 days after it is served upon the parties unless, prior to that date, Complaint Counsel perfect their appeal by filing an Appeal Brief or the Commission places the case on its own docket for review."

It is back in the Commission's hands apparently.
 
Swift_Star said:
It's simple: people shouldn't be forced to integrate the MS Ecosystem to play previously available on all platforms games. Why is that hard for you to understand?
Click to expand...

What previously available on all platforms games are you being forced into the MS ecosystem to play?

It's hard to follow when you're relying on delusions and crystal balls for your arguments 🤷‍♂️
 
Bumblebeetuna said:
What previously available on all platforms games are you being forced into the MS ecosystem to play?

It's hard to follow when you're relying on delusions and crystal balls for your arguments 🤷‍♂️
Click to expand...
Hard to follow if not arguing in good faith. Which you're not if you really call people delusional for not ignoring recent history.
 
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Topher said:
Pretty much. Jim Ryan made a point about that early on that Microsoft made public what he considered to be a private discussion. Making this a public debate is part of Microsoft's strategy.
Click to expand...
Which is funny because the FTC and other regulators will be using these public statements to strengthen their own arguments. FTC probably doesn't even see the public debate at all because they don't follow thinly disguised propaganda in the guise of gaming "journalism".
 
Bumblebeetuna said:
What previously available on all platforms games are you being forced into the MS ecosystem to play?

It's hard to follow when you're relying on delusions and crystal balls for your arguments 🤷‍♂️
Click to expand...
ABK games are historically multiplatform. Show us what games they released that are historically xbox exclusives?
 
NickFire said:
Hard to follow if not arguing in good faith. Which you're not if you really call people delusional for not ignoring recent history.
Click to expand...
You know he's gonna deflect because ABK historically release multiplat games and he's going to make snark comments with empty one-lines because it's all he has lmao
 
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Bumblebeetuna said:
As soon as you show me ABK games that you now need to enter the "MS ecosystem" to play. Shouldn't be hard for you to do since you were so condescending.
Click to expand...
So, no ABK exclusive on Xbox?
Case closed, you got demolished.
Martin Lawrence Lol GIF by Martin

This is too easy.
Gonna leave you talking alone because I'm not going to enter the bad faith argument hole.
Bye bye.
 
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Even though this benefits my wallet as a gamepass subscriber, I still don't want it to go through. I would rather 3rd party publishers stay 3rd party and things like this are killed before they even begin. Otherwise all hell will break loose and every publisher will be bought out. Stop it before it even begins.
 
TheGodfather07 said:
Even though this benefits my wallet as a gamepass subscriber, I still don't want it to go through. I would rather 3rd party publishers stay 3rd party and things like this are killed before they even begin. Otherwise all hell will break loose and every publisher will be bought out. Stop it before it even begins.
Click to expand...
Thanks Thank You GIF by BLKBOK

Finally someone who gets it!
 
TheGodfather07 said:
Even though this benefits my wallet as a gamepass subscriber, I still don't want it to go through. I would rather 3rd party publishers stay 3rd party and things like this are killed before they even begin. Otherwise all hell will break loose and every publisher will be bought out. Stop it before it even begins.
Click to expand...

doubt.jpg :messenger_winking_tongue:
 
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TheGodfather07 said:
Even though this benefits my wallet as a gamepass subscriber, I still don't want it to go through. I would rather 3rd party publishers stay 3rd party and things like this are killed before they even begin. Otherwise all hell will break loose and every publisher will be bought out. Stop it before it even begins.
Click to expand...
Before it even begins?

Ha Ha Smile GIF by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
 
TheGodfather07 said:
Even though this benefits my wallet as a gamepass subscriber, I still don't want it to go through. I would rather 3rd party publishers stay 3rd party and things like this are killed before they even begin. Otherwise all hell will break loose and every publisher will be bought out. Stop it before it even begins.
Click to expand...

No logical reason "every publisher will be bought out". Not every publisher wants to sell.

I guess maybe eventually one of these doom and gloom doomsday predictions may work out. Didn't work out for any of the EA Access FUD, any of the GamePass FUD, but hey maybe this time something will stick.
 
HeisenbergFX4 said:
Before it even begins?

Ha Ha Smile GIF by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Click to expand...

I'm a huge basketball fan and I don't think I've ever seen a guy like Shaquille O'Neal whose demeanor on the court and off the court was so dramatically different.

Sorry.....off-topic observation. Where were we? Um.....fuck the FTC? Sony? AB? MS? Fuck'em all? Yeah....fuck'em all.
 
TheGodfather07 said:
Even though this benefits my wallet as a gamepass subscriber, I still don't want it to go through. I would rather 3rd party publishers stay 3rd party and things like this are killed before they even begin. Otherwise all hell will break loose and every publisher will be bought out. Stop it before it even begins.
Click to expand...
The consequences would be massive.

People who praise Activision being on gamepass don't understand what does this lead to.

Imagine Sony buying take 2. It would mean no GTA for Xbox or even worse no GTA or RD on gamepass anymore.

Even if they Sony doesn't buy them, another company or other publishers, and their games won't be on gamepass.
 
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