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

Do you believe the deal will be approved?


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Neither does Google or nVidia. But we never bring them up.
Nvidia position was not that negative according to the 'leaks', they had concerns but they weren't looking to block the deal especially not to the same level as Sony.

In its remarks to the FTC, Nvidia stressed the need for equal and open access to game titles but didn't directly oppose the acquisition, according to one of the people.

Their feedback is as relevant as is any other publishers/market participants however.
 
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In this case, are Sony and the bodies in Brussels not allowed to come out and say..

"Microsoft are claiming we are saying these things, it's simply not true!" And expose them if it isn't true?

Would be some serious egg on microsofts face then.

I imagine that could be then read as a public admission that MS have offered them what they asked for in the first place.
 
Those 2 are irrelevant. Especially Google.
Nvidia has no business there, since Activision doesn't want to give them their games for their service. Google already exited the game.

Sony is the only who has stake in this.
You keep saying this but completely ignore the B2B side of things. Activision signed a contract as early as 2021 for them to use their backend services and it was done because there was a fear that Activision might launch their own store and remove their games from the Play store. So Google launched "project hug". They are by no means irrelevant just because a lack of content foreclosed Stadia.
 
You keep saying this but completely ignore the B2B side of things. Activision signed a contract as early as 2021 for them to use their backend services and it was done because there was a fear that Activision might launch their own store and remove their games from the Play store. So Google launched "project hug". They are by no means irrelevant just because a lack of content foreclosed Stadia.
If it's B2B, then they have a bone with this deal.
But it's not the same level as Sony.
 
In this case, are Sony and the bodies in Brussels not allowed to come out and say..

"Microsoft are claiming we are saying these things, it's simply not true!" And expose them if it isn't true?

Would be some serious egg on microsofts face then.

Yes and Sony have already done so once in this process but its generally not their style. This is what was said last time Microsoft went public with information like this:

"I hadn't intended to comment on what I understood to be a private business discussion, but I feel the need to set the record straight because Phil Spencer brought this into the public forum," Ryan said. "

I'd imagine their stance still remains the same.
 
If Phil would spend more time making sure his studios were putting out games instead of giving an interview every other day, then maybe they wouldn't need to buy Activision. Also imagine him coming out saying he wasn't confident and the impact that would have on MSFT shares...

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Yeah, what an outrage! He should be at BGS every day keeping his whip hand strong to get Starfield out quicker!
 
Seems like Microsoft didnt like the response from the EC, otherwise their shills wouldnt start this "Sony lied to EU regulators" stunt.

also, lmao what is this response from the "currently lead communications for microsoft":

 
Seems like Microsoft didnt like the response from the EC, otherwise their shills wouldnt start this "Sony lied to EU regulators" stunt.

also, lmao what is this response from the "currently lead communications for microsoft":


smh2I2m.png
 
Seems like Microsoft didnt like the response from the EC, otherwise their shills wouldnt start this "Sony lied to EU regulators" stunt.

also, lmao what is this response from the "currently lead communications for microsoft":


Here's free advice to the head of communications for Microsoft.

DON'T ARGUE ON FUCKING TWITTER and if you do, not every tweet to you deserves a response (for example a tweet that undermines your fucking earlier tweets)
 
Being one of the higher ups of the biggest conglomerate in the word... But taking to twitter to vent...

Is something I didn't expect or could have predicted. I'm thinking the EC communication with Microsoft has more roadblocks than any of us presumed.
 
Here's free advice to the head of communications for Microsoft.

DON'T ARGUE ON FUCKING TWITTER and if you do, not every tweet to you deserves a response (for example a tweet that undermines your fucking earlier tweets)

Especially when you start out with "I hear....." because that means you don't really know at all.

Girl Eye Roll GIF
 
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I know it won't happen, but imagine if the deal doesn't go through, then Acti Blizzard disbandz, selling their IPs for cheap which Microsoft buys, and re-hire everyone under Microsoft.

The regulators would be like
78zxq3.jpg
Holy fuck this is funny. What would happen, in your scenario, is if ABK sold the IP for extremely low price, Microsoft would tell the ABK staff to go piss up a rope, and ABK shareholders would fucking sue. Try a bit of common sense once in a while please.
 
Seems like Microsoft didnt like the response from the EC, otherwise their shills wouldnt start this "Sony lied to EU regulators" stunt.

also, lmao what is this response from the "currently lead communications for microsoft":


I swear some of these xbox execs are god damn embarrassments, but how is anyone surprised when they still have greenberg prancing around.
 
Holy fuck this is funny. What would happen, in your scenario, is if ABK sold the IP for extremely low price, Microsoft would tell the ABK staff to go piss up a rope, and ABK shareholders would fucking sue. Try a bit of common sense once in a while please.

Take a joke and don't be salty.

I even said it would never happen.

Jesus some takes this way too serious.

If you can't stand people laughing at something then there's another forum for you my friend where people gets easily offended
 
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Seems like Microsoft didnt like the response from the EC, otherwise their shills wouldnt start this "Sony lied to EU regulators" stunt.

also, lmao what is this response from the "currently lead communications for microsoft":


I must be dim, but how does this relate to the EC response to MS?
Do we even 100% know that MS has received the EC SO? Was there a "firm" date?
 
Take a joke and don't be salty.

I even said it would never happen.

Jesus some takes this way too serious.

If you can't stand people laughing at something then there's another forum for you my friend where people gets easily offended
I'm laughing at your idiotic wish, not joke. I'm not salty, I just read the ramblings of a madman and called it out as such.
 
I must be dim, but how does this relate to the EC response to MS?
Do we even 100% know that MS has received the EC SO? Was there a "firm" date?
Was talking about Jez doing another "Sony is bad" article. Plus, i think Destin made a video about the same topic. If remember correctly they also did the same thing before the FTC sued, so its more like what i think is happening right now.
 
Has probably been posted idk:

https://www.videogameschronicle.com...ny-of-misleading-eu-over-call-of-duty-parity/

Tl dr:

TL;DR:

Sony's Jim Ryan met EU anti-trust boss Margrethe Vestager
Jim Ryan claims Microsoft wouldn't have offered platform parity for Call of Duty
Microsoft's Frank X. Shaw reconfirmed on Twitter they "offered Sony a 10 year deal to give them parity on timing, content, features, quality, playability, and any other aspect of the game"

Fact check :
Apparently Microsoft offered platform parity back in January 2022 when the acquisition was announced according to their previous statement to The Verge.

Sony doesn't want parity it wants exclusive modes and such they have gotten in the past or there afraid they'll lose sales to Xbox especially with gamepass.
 
Has probably been posted idk:

https://www.videogameschronicle.com...ny-of-misleading-eu-over-call-of-duty-parity/

Tl dr:

TL;DR:

Sony's Jim Ryan met EU anti-trust boss Margrethe Vestager
Jim Ryan claims Microsoft wouldn't have offered platform parity for Call of Duty
Microsoft's Frank X. Shaw reconfirmed on Twitter they "offered Sony a 10 year deal to give them parity on timing, content, features, quality, playability, and any other aspect of the game"

Fact check :
Apparently Microsoft offered platform parity back in January 2022 when the acquisition was announced according to their previous statement to The Verge.

Sony doesn't want parity it wants exclusive modes and such they have gotten in the past or there afraid they'll lose sales to Xbox especially with gamepass.
Seems like Jim said something that got the regulators thinking, and MS as usual take it to the public forum, but why though? If their case is so strong against to whatever was said, why bring it out to the public forum?
 
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Has probably been posted idk:

https://www.videogameschronicle.com...ny-of-misleading-eu-over-call-of-duty-parity/

Tl dr:

TL;DR:

Sony's Jim Ryan met EU anti-trust boss Margrethe Vestager
Jim Ryan claims Microsoft wouldn't have offered platform parity for Call of Duty
Microsoft's Frank X. Shaw reconfirmed on Twitter they "offered Sony a 10 year deal to give them parity on timing, content, features, quality, playability, and any other aspect of the game"

Fact check :
Apparently Microsoft offered platform parity back in January 2022 when the acquisition was announced according to their previous statement to The Verge.

Sony doesn't want parity it wants exclusive modes and such they have gotten in the past or there afraid they'll lose sales to Xbox especially with gamepass.
Fact check:
Apparently -

Leonard Nimoy Reaction GIF
 
Seems like Jim said something that got the regulators thinking, and MS as usual take it to the public forum, but why though? If their case is so strong against to whatever was said, why bring it out to the public forum?
Make Sony public enemy.

Its classic tactics to make your enemy despised by the public.
 
Has probably been posted idk:

https://www.videogameschronicle.com...ny-of-misleading-eu-over-call-of-duty-parity/

Tl dr:

TL;DR:

Sony's Jim Ryan met EU anti-trust boss Margrethe Vestager
Jim Ryan claims Microsoft wouldn't have offered platform parity for Call of Duty
Microsoft's Frank X. Shaw reconfirmed on Twitter they "offered Sony a 10 year deal to give them parity on timing, content, features, quality, playability, and any other aspect of the game"

Fact check :
Apparently Microsoft offered platform parity back in January 2022 when the acquisition was announced according to their previous statement to The Verge.

Sony doesn't want parity it wants exclusive modes and such they have gotten in the past or there afraid they'll lose sales to Xbox especially with gamepass.

Fact check:

This is all based on something Frank X. Shaw "heard"
 

If only they didn't buy an entire publisher and spike profits by going exclusive I might believe them.

Considering how sparse their first party games have been I totally understand why they bought a publisher and went exclusive despite the financial hit they Will take. But they don't get to pretend it didn't happen just because of Minecraft.
 
This thread delivers. It's a fierce battle that's being waged here that continually goes back and forth.

On one side we have the Pro Acquisition Army, whose ranks consist of people who's wish is for MS to sign every 3rd party game for the next decade to a exclusive deal should the acquisition fall through. They are truly students to the scorched earth school of warfare.

On the other, we have the Anti Acquisition Militia. Their ranks primarily consist of Psychological warfare specialists. They tirelessly scan social media for content that they can possibly use for propaganda purposes. They can turn even the most mundane tweet into a surefire sign that victory is imminent.

With so many people's reputations, emotions, and sanity on the line... There's more at stake here than perhaps ever before.
 
So I bought a Series X a year ago after the deal was announced - it said to me that Microsoft is serious about competing.

A year later, and I'm so impressed with Gamepass as a service and so underwhelmed with Xbox publishing, and so appreciative regarding how Sony built its position up over time that.....I kinda like and want the status quo?
 
So I bought a Series X a year ago after the deal was announced - it said to me that Microsoft is serious about competing.

A year later, and I'm so impressed with Gamepass as a service and so underwhelmed with Xbox publishing, and so appreciative regarding how Sony built its position up over time that.....I kinda like and want the status quo?

I really don't think there is any status quo in gaming.

Unless GamePass drastically increases subscribership, Microsoft is going to close it and that'll be it for the Xbox brand. Activision helps that tremendously. This is about as close to the status quo as we'll ever see.

If Microsoft shutters the Xbox brand, we're all in for a world of hurt with Sony not having a direct competitor. I mean at that point maybe Nintendo returns to fill the void, but that's a risk proposition in and of itself.

The only question would be who would step up. Google, Apple, Amazon, Tencent?

If it's Tencent, I think again, we're all in for a world of hurt. I think Google is out and even if they did enter, they don't have talent to accomplish anything meaningful here. The same can be said of Apple and Amazon.

The console space is REALLY difficult. It's currently driven by the AAA market, which is even more difficult.

Maybe Valve would go back to releasing a new series of Steam Machines.

Regardless, there is no status quo involved in buying or failing to buy the largest video game publisher in the industry.
 
If this deal goes through, I really hope the concessions (if any) are fair to MS.

If the deal does not go through, I really hope MS does not walk away from gaming or reduce its effort (you guys don't understand how bad it is with one person leading the charge).

There are going to be ruined relationships regardless once this M&A conundrum passes. I doubt Sony will be in the good grace of ACT/BLZD ever again.
 
If this deal goes through, I really hope the concessions (if any) are fair to MS.

If the deal does not go through, I really hope MS does not walk away from gaming or reduce its effort (you guys don't understand how bad it is with one person leading the charge).

There are going to be ruined relationships regardless once this M&A conundrum passes. I doubt Sony will be in the good grace of ACT/BLZD ever again.
So much concern for Phil and company.

pray phaedra parks GIF
 
If only they didn't buy an entire publisher and spike profits by going exclusive I might believe them.

Considering how sparse their first party games have been I totally understand why they bought a publisher and went exclusive despite the financial hit they Will take. But they don't get to pretend it didn't happen just because of Minecraft.

They're still supporting Playstation and have multiple planned releases for Playstation this year. It seems people are just upset they've chosen to make some titles exclusive, which is their right since they're the owner of both the studios and the IP. None of the games they're making exclusive are essential to Playstation's ability to compete effectively in gaming. Therefore I don't see a problem. This is why once they acquire Activision Blizzard they'll similarly be able to make some titles exclusive while making other things multi-platform.
 
If this deal goes through, I really hope the concessions (if any) are fair to MS.

If the deal does not go through, I really hope MS does not walk away from gaming or reduce its effort (you guys don't understand how bad it is with one person leading the charge).

There are going to be ruined relationships regardless once this M&A conundrum passes. I doubt Sony will be in the good grace of ACT/BLZD ever again.
no need to worry. the deal is going to be approved. and MS will happily bend over for any kind of concession .

because the only fair outcome for MS is an
Atonement task....which will be the management of ABK.
 
If this deal goes through, I really hope the concessions (if any) are fair to MS.

If the deal does not go through, I really hope MS does not walk away from gaming or reduce its effort (you guys don't understand how bad it is with one person leading the charge).

There are going to be ruined relationships regardless once this M&A conundrum passes. I doubt Sony will be in the good grace of ACT/BLZD ever again.

I mean this is a pretty hilarious take.

ABK's relationship to Sony is a business one. They make most of their money on PlayStation platforms. You think CDPR wants to go to war with Sony over Cyberpunk being removed from the PlayStation store?

First, where did everything start? Second, where is your profit going to come from?

ABK has bigger things to worry about if this fails. They'll get 3 billion dollars to try and retain talent, but the stock price will implode. They face a mass exodus in either situation.
 
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