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

Do you believe the deal will be approved?


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gothmog

Gold Member
Imagine crying about "Microsoft took away Starfield from PlayStation" while Sony wanted do make a deal for exclusivity of Starfield on PlayStation in similar way they did it with Deathloop and GhostWire.
Arguing over timed exclusives is weak. Deathloop has been available for a while now and Ghostwire is coming soon. If anything, you get the version that isn't rushed and fully patched. Sony has had their fair share of games released on the PS after Xbox timed exclusivity ends. I'm fine with it but then again I can wait for good deals or better experiences on other platforms if I have to.
 
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jm89

Member
People cry when it affects them, and troll when it benefits them.

You mean like this guy?
xlvo8gx.png
 
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gothmog

Gold Member
Starfield's PS exclusivity has never been more than an unsubstantiated rumor by literally one person. And the other parts of that rumor have already been proven wrong.

People claim that Sony was getting a timed-exclusivity deal for Starfield. At the same time, they also say that there was never a PS5 version of Starfield in development.
It's Schrodinger's Video Game.
 

Heisenberg007

Gold Journalism
There's a ton of info in this clip if you listen to Kotics wording. He says "Activision needs to compete against Japanese and Chinese companies"

What?

He's basically saying ATVI needs to compete against Sony. While sidestepping the fact that the majority of Activision's sales on console come directly from a Japanese company, aka Sony, by a huge margin.

That, my fellow armchair analysts, is what you call a peek behind the curtain!
"Activision needs to compete against Japanese and Chinese companies"
  • Activision had a 15-year business term with NetEase, a Chinese company, that just ended.
  • Activision reached out to NetEase to extend the contract when it was ending. NetEase declined.
  • Tencent, another Chinese company, is part owner and investor of Activision.
  • Activison's biggest customer is Sony, a Japanese company.
  • They also have a deeply ingrained marketing agreement with Sony that helps them increase their sales and revenue.
Japanese and Chinese companies:

JmCgwLb.png
 
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The_Mike

I cry about SonyGaf from my chair in Redmond, WA
Starfield's PS exclusivity has never been more than an unsubstantiated rumor by literally one person. And the other parts of that rumor have already been proven wrong.

People claim that Sony was getting a timed-exclusivity deal for Starfield. At the same time, they also say that there was never a PS5 version of Starfield in development.
My statement goes both ways, I didn't say the behavior is one sided.

It's just more obvious in here given the big ratio in difference.
 
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Heisenberg007

Gold Journalism
My statement goes both ways, I didn't say the behavior is one sided.

It's just more obvious in here given the big ratio.
I don't know about others but ... wrong is wrong, whoever does it.

Had Sony gotten Starfield as a 12-month timed exclusive, it would have been wrong. Xbox got permanent exclusivity of Starfield by blocking the PS version, that's wrong.
 

The_Mike

I cry about SonyGaf from my chair in Redmond, WA
I don't know about others but ... wrong is wrong, whoever does it.

Had Sony gotten Starfield as a 12-month timed exclusive, it would have been wrong. Xbox got permanent exclusivity of Starfield by blocking the PS version, that's wrong.
I mean, you aren't wrong, but it was just a reply to him saying people do that.
 

The_Mike

I cry about SonyGaf from my chair in Redmond, WA
Man this thread is just awful at this point. I wish this shit would just end already, whether it goes through or not.
Yeah it has turned pretty boring.

It went from fun to read the melt downs to just writing something for the sake of writing something.
 

Thirty7ven

Banned
"Activision needs to compete against Japanese and Chinese companies"
  • Activision had a 15-year business term with NetEase, a Chinese company, that just ended.
  • Activision reached out to NetEase to extend the contract when it was ending. NetEase declined.
  • Tencent, another Chinese company, is part owner and investor of Activision.
  • Activison's biggest customer is Sony, a Japanese company.
  • They also have a deeply ingrained marketing agreement with Sony that helps them increase their sales and revenue.
Japanese and Chinese companies:

JmCgwLb.png


Also, “western”? Bitch please you are talking about Americaaaaaaaaa don’t try and put EU and UK in the same bag. Why would EU look at Sony and MS differently?
 
No, Xbox chose not to release Starfield on Playstation. "Taking it away" from Playstation would imply it was released on that console, and then removed from it.

Playstation never "had" Starfield, was never promised it, and isn't entitled to it.
Gonna be funny looking back at some of these posts in a few years when Starfield does release on PS5.
 

DForce

NaughtyDog Defense Force
Again. Why would they could not remove Minecraft from PlayStation Store? Delisting is common thing and it happens often. Also, you again ignored Minecraft Dungeons and Legends which Microsoft had no obligation to put on PlayStation or Switch, but they did. You also ignored PSVR version of Minecraft that Microsoft did not need to do, but they did it anyway. So Microsoft said that Minecraft will stay anywhere and they kept their promise.
Contracts are basically signed before a game officially releases on a platform. You think they could just break it.
I'm not ignoring Minecraft Dungeons and Legends, or even the PSVR update. You're using that against the broken promises of Starfield and Redfall.

They also refused to release future Zenimax games on PlayStation.
You don't know the contract agreement that was in place for Minecraft because that also includes contractual agreements.
I'm not saying that they had to defend Ninja Theory/Obsidian etc. purchases in front of regulators. I used them as a proof when Microsoft said when their content moving forward will be exclusive. In case of Double Fine they said "promised things would be fulfilled" and they kept their word. Same for inXile (Wasteland 3), Obsidian (The Outer Worlds), Bethesda (GhostWire and Deathloop exclusivity).

And again, you ignoring (conveniently of course) 10-year legally enforceable deal that will make sure that Microsoft will be releasing Call of Duty on PlayStation. So this whole argument about "Microsoft broke their promises" is literally pointless, when you have binding document in your hands. But yeah. Keep arguing about literally nothing.
Again, they told the EU they wouldn't make it exclusive and all you're doing is saying, "Look at Minecraft." They broke promises before and bringing up Minecraft isn't going to change that.

And no one is ignoring the 10-year contract because I touched on it. It went from 3 to 10 years, if they were serious about it, then they would've offered 10 years from the jump or even agreed to a longer deal.

You guys don't want to admit MS has been dishonest.
 
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DForce

NaughtyDog Defense Force
Where did Microsoft actually say they would release future Bethesda/Zenimax games on Playstation?... seems like people are arguing their own interpretation of what they've read or heard.

In a complaint issued today, the FTC pointed to Microsoft’s record of acquiring and using valuable gaming content to suppress competition from rival consoles, including its acquisition of ZeniMax, parent company of Bethesda Softworks (a well-known game developer). Microsoft decided to make several of Bethesda's titles including Starfield and Redfall Microsoft exclusives despite assurances it had given to European antitrust authorities that it had no incentive to withhold games from rival consoles.


FTC said Microsoft told the EU antitrust authorities that they had no incentive to withhold Starfield and Redfall from PlayStation.

People thought the FTC lied when EU released a statement saying that Microsoft never made a commitment. Well, FTC never said a commitment was made.






It's also likely in the EU statement that Microsoft fact DID assure them, just without a commitment.




This is why the "Microsoft's word can be trusted" is total bulls***. These companies (Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo) can say whatever they want, but if it's not in writing then they don't have to commit to anything.
 

NickFire

Member
FTC said Microsoft told the EU antitrust authorities that they had no incentive to withhold Starfield and Redfall from PlayStation.

People thought the FTC lied when EU released a statement saying that Microsoft never made a commitment. Well, FTC never said a commitment was made.






It's also likely in the EU statement that Microsoft fact DID assure them, just without a commitment.




This is why the "Microsoft's word can be trusted" is total bulls***. These companies (Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo) can say whatever they want, but if it's not in writing then they don't have to commit to anything.

Honest question. Does commenting on twitter make a lawyer seem more knowledgeable by default?

Nothing against Attorney Hoeg, who rightly corrected his initial take. But there were definitely lawyers who understood the difference between commitment and intended message before becoming twitter Rockstar's.
 

Shakka43

Member
Arguing over timed exclusives is weak. Deathloop has been available for a while now and Ghostwire is coming soon. If anything, you get the version that isn't rushed and fully patched. Sony has had their fair share of games released on the PS after Xbox timed exclusivity ends. I'm fine with it but then again I can wait for good deals or better experiences on other platforms if I have to.
That and ignoring Microsoft practically wrote the book on buying timed exclusives with the XB360.
 

Godot25

Banned
And no one is ignoring the 10-year contract because I touched on it. It went from 3 to 10 years, if they were serious about it, then they would've offered 10 years from the jump or even agreed to a longer deal.
It wasn't 3 year deal, but 3 years on top of existing contract which is ending in 2026 (I think) (so until 2029 probs). And If your theory is correct and Microsoft wants to took away COD from PlayStation, why on Earth would they offer 3 more years preemptively in January when no concerns from regulators was raised? You would think that if Microsoft is so obsessed about making COD exclusive, they would offer no contract until they are forced by regulators, right? Otherwise what was the point?

Sony knows that COD will stay on PlayStation even without deal. Everybody with brain cells knows that. COD is game developed by 8 studios and is designed to recoup development cost back not only by selling game for 80€, but with live service. And to have successful live service you need every possible player imaginable. Also, you are shutting down potential new entrant on the market by keeping game multiplatform. Sony just keeps pressing on this issue because they want this deal blocked. Not because they are afraid that they will loose Call of Duty. They are afraid of COD on Game Pass, so they want deal shut down in it's entirety.

Otherwise why the fuck are they not accepting deal that would make sure that they will have COD until 2036? Even with option to have COD on PS Plus? Because to accept this deal they would probably be required to drop objections about this deal. Which they are not willing to do, because they want it to shut down. It's hardball from their side of court because if they loose they would be without a deal, but there is 0% chance that Microsoft will make COD exclusive even without it.

Will Microsoft make some ABK games exclusive after buyout? Yup. Plenty. But not COD, not Overwatch. Because they live a breathe thanks to huge audience. They need it to continue making new content for that games.
 
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DeepEnigma

Gold Member
It wasn't 3 year deal, but 3 years on top of existing contract which is ending in 2026 (I think) (so until 2029 probs). And If your theory is correct and Microsoft wants to took away COD from PlayStation, why on Earth would they offer 3 more years preemptively in January when no concerns from regulators was raised?
Trojan Horse around the time a new console gen is set to launch. Now, exclusive to Xbox. ;)

Harvesting the player base when it's time to choose a platform.
 

phil_t98

#SonyToo
Sony fighting all the subpoenas.


they are probably fighting them because it would so that they can survive without COD maybe. this is where when Sony first said they objected to the purchase they have to show why with their own figures
 

DeepEnigma

Gold Member
And why it would not be better to offer nothing and to start pulling players towards Xbox immediately after deal is closed?
Because it does not suit your narrative?
Strategy. The major influx of new gen is new players. PS just announced 30% of PS5 owners did not own a PS4. The % was even higher for PS4 owners not owning a PS3. Not to mention, MS was trying to entice Sony, since they knew if they were outspoken, along with Google and nViida, it can put pressure on regulators.

And here we are today. From confident this will go smoothly, to mental gymnastics and PR shitposting we find ourselves in today.

You have narratives as well, clown.
 

Godot25

Banned
Strategy. The major influx of new gen is new players. PS just announced 30% of PS5 owners did not own a PS4. The % was even higher for PS4 owners not owning a PS3. Not to mention, MS was trying to entice Sony, since they knew if they were outspoken, along with Google and nViida, it can put pressure on regulators.

And here we are today. From confident this will go smoothly, to mental gymnastics and PR shitposting we find ourselves in today.

You have narratives as well, clown.
That's pretty stupid strategy if you ask me. Yup. Wait for end of generation and instead trying to pull as many people as possible as soon as possible you will wait three years....because :messenger_tears_of_joy::messenger_tears_of_joy:
 

DeepEnigma

Gold Member
That's pretty stupid strategy if you ask me. Yup. Wait for end of generation and instead trying to pull as many people as possible as soon as possible you will wait three years....because :messenger_tears_of_joy::messenger_tears_of_joy:
Not at all. Launch a new gen with a digital crack IP where it can only be played on that one console platform. You then harvest all the player base that has been built up. They had to wait for the marketing contract regardless. MS is not against the long game. You also miss the part as enticing Sony so they are not outspoken, which backfired because Phil could not keep his mouth shut and brought it to the public arena, so Jim spilled the beans on the 3 years.
 
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phil_t98

#SonyToo
Some of the data requested by Microsoft is ridiculous and most likely not necessary to prove or disprove that point though. Like private information from PSN users? Why?!

Could be about gaming habits and whatnot. Not saying it’s right but they may have a relevance
 

NickFire

Member
That's pretty stupid strategy if you ask me. Yup. Wait for end of generation and instead trying to pull as many people as possible as soon as possible you will wait three years....because :messenger_tears_of_joy::messenger_tears_of_joy:
No it's a very solid strategy. Brand loyalty and "sunk cost for consumers" makes inter-generational conversions harder. You also risk turning people against your brand for feeling punished / forced into it. But when a new generation starts everyone is starting over anyway (at least they have been until this generation and backwards compatibility became a thing).

Last gen is a fair example of how much easier it is to convert people at launch than mid gen. When MS took the stage and showed off lower specs and TV TV TV, Sony was able to convert customers by simply standing still with traditional focus. MS pivoted, had Titanfall exclusive, dropped Kinnect, came in with the most power mid gen, and went hard on subscription. All of those actions were praised (by at least some if not many), but it was too late. Why? Because people had already become invested in PS. I can't tell you how many times I was about to buy a One X, but did not because I would have been starting over in terms of my wallet.

On a speculative side, I was convinced MS had a real chance to rebound this launch and take people back. The thought of Sony launching with such little software and MS coming in hot with a Halo on launch day was the perfect storm for Sony IMO. But I guess 343 had other plans unfortunately.
 

X-Wing

Member
No different than a company claiming they wouldn't be able to compete if this acquisition completes. Main difference is the company wanting to compete better is in last place and the company claiming they would not be able to compete has been dominant for decades.

Yes, Microsoft is a small company that can't compete with Sony. Probably why they actually had the upper hand during an entire generation without owning any major publisher.
 
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Warablo

Member
Arguing over timed exclusives is weak. Deathloop has been available for a while now and Ghostwire is coming soon. If anything, you get the version that isn't rushed and fully patched. Sony has had their fair share of games released on the PS after Xbox timed exclusivity ends. I'm fine with it but then again I can wait for good deals or better experiences on other platforms if I have to.
I don't know, some of Sony's timed exclusives are like 1-2 years or just never release on Xbox. Think there was even some entire game modes totally exclusive in Destiny or CoD. In Xbox's dominant days, the most you'd get is 1-2 months. Then they tried a 1 year exclusive with Tomb Raider and got crucified.
 
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DeepEnigma

Gold Member
I don't know, some of Sony's timed exclusives are like 1-2 years or just never release on Xbox. Think there was even some entire game modes totally exclusive in Destiny or CoD. In Xbox's dominant days, the most you'd get is 1-2 months. Then they tried a 1 year exclusive with Tomb Raider and got crucified.
One of the biggest games in the PS360 era had a 1 year exclusivity for the DLC. Titanfall, Dead Rising, etc., was perm.
 
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DForce

NaughtyDog Defense Force
Honest question. Does commenting on twitter make a lawyer seem more knowledgeable by default?

Nothing against Attorney Hoeg, who rightly corrected his initial take. But there were definitely lawyers who understood the difference between commitment and intended message before becoming twitter Rockstar's.
I'm only quoting him because Xbox fans are familiar with his YouTube channel and even he said the FTC didn't lie about that statement.
 
they are probably fighting them because it would so that they can survive without COD maybe. this is where when Sony first said they objected to the purchase they have to show why with their own figures

If Sony had evidence proving they can't survive without Call of Duty, they would present it. Sony is fighting because they know the information would be unfavorable to their goals of killing the deal.
 

DeepEnigma

Gold Member
If Sony had evidence proving they can't survive without Call of Duty, they would present it. Sony is fighting because they know the information would be unfavorable to their goals of killing the deal.
Where did Sony say they "could not survive?"

Damaging, sure. Detrimental, sure. Not good for the industry, yes. But, "not survive?"
 
Some of the data requested by Microsoft is ridiculous and most likely not necessary to prove or disprove that point though. Like private information from PSN users? Why?!
Legal strategy often has you over-ask on subpoenas or depositions or what have you, because you know the other parties will either fight it or reduce it to only relevant matter. You also get the added benefit of applying pressure to that person, typically someone you're opposing in the courtroom, and enticing them to back down.
 
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Hendrick's

If only my penis was as big as my GamerScore!
One of the biggest games in the PS360 era had a 1 year exclusivity for the DLC. Titanfall, Dead Rising, etc., was perm.
What about the last decade? It's clear that MS has backed away from moneyhats where Sony has doubled down.
 
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