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[vaibhavpisal]

Just forget that this deal was ever proposed and move on.

 

[Mr Moose]

Doesn't Playstation massively dominate the console market in the UK?

No. UK is one of Xbox's biggest markets.

 

[Sony]

If you didn't think CMA was a joke already, maybe this will help you.

 

[GHG]

What does this mean in general?
Is the deal dead?

No, but the CMA are now in a position where they have control of the situation.

Microsoft have 2 options if they still wish to move forward - do what the CMA want or go to court.

 

[Unknown?]

Ok guys, less innovation for UK gamers.
Pack it up boys and go and play the 567th edition of CoD.

Now THAT is innovation.

Also, go pay 70 each game instead of an affordable subscription.

Now THAT is lower prices.

And don't forget, wait for the game you want one year or two to be available in PC and Xbox.

Now THAT is power of choice.

Funny, all of those criticisms can be applied to Xbox as well.

The thing idk about why Xbox gamers care is Activision is a shitty developer and always has been tied with EA at the bottom. All they have now is COD. All of their good franchises they ran into the ground, rebooted, and ran into the ground again.

 

[Varteras]

There is always a danger reading between the lines, but it sounds to me like they would accept Microsoft’s 10 year commitment, it just doesn’t exist officially yet. Which makes perfect sense - it completely assuages any concerns.

Seems to open the door for Microsoft providing an iron clad, legally enforceable guarantee on COD parity (stupid concept). CMA gets to look strong, Microsoft does what it had already agreed to. Politics wins.

That deal with Nintendo wasn’t as stupid as people made out. Anyone would think (probably) the best corporate lawyers in the world knew something about what they were doing…

They knew their job so well they couldn't even get a subpoena right.

 

[xiskza]

Tories doing something right for once

 

[fastest finger]

Common sense has prevailed here in the U.K it seems.

That’s so unlike us.

 

[feynoob]

I will like to share this here.

Per Idas:

There is still a bit of hope for MS:

18. Microsoft has, however, informed us of existing and potential contractual arrangements with third-party platforms relating to access to Call of Duty. Accordingly, while none of the circumstances in which the CMA would select a behavioural remedy as the primary source of remedial action in a merger investigation (as summarised in paragraph 15 above) appear to be present, the CMA will also consider a behavioural access remedy as a possible remedy.

19. Access remedies are a form of behavioural remedy which seek to maintain or restore competition by enabling competitors to have access on appropriate terms to the products and facilities of a merger entity that they require to remain competitive. Access remedies normally require an access commitment which is set out in significant detail so that both customers and monitoring agencies can enforce compliance effectively. In this case, an access remedy would look to ensure third party access to Activision Blizzard, Inc's content that is necessary to remedy the provisional SLCs.

20. We consider in further detail below each of the possible remedies on which views are sought. More generally, the CMA will consider any other practicable remedies that the Parties, or any interested third parties, may propose that could be effective in addressing the SLCs and/or any resulting adverse effects.

 

[supernova8]

Next time Jez Corden goes on a Twitter rampage I seriously hope whoever he "targets" shoots back with a something like "great impartial input from you... from... oh yes.. Windows Central..."

 

[adamsapple]

What does this mean in general?
Is the deal dead?

no

 

[skit_data]

Does this prove once more that Michael Pachter has an ability to alter the outcome of any event by simply stating he believes the opposite will happen?

 

[xiskza]

There is no precedent for a merger of this size. The amount of IP transferred away from 2 enormeous userbases is something we haven't seen in this industry. Let's not act like it's just about COD. COD is the lynchpin and rightfully so, as it is the biggest IP in gaming. But the bigger context is that this whole deal is uncharted territory.

 

[feynoob]

Come on CMA. Don't tease us.

 

[Riky]

Ok guys, less innovation for UK gamers.
Pack it up boys and go and play the 567th edition of CoD.

Now THAT is innovation.

Also, go pay 70 each game instead of an affordable subscription.

Now THAT is lower prices.

And don't forget, wait for the game you want one year or two to be available in PC and Xbox.

Now THAT is power of choice.

I think these "concerns" seem pretty baseless and MS should be able to remedy them pretty easily.

 

[GHG]

I see that the "this will go through easily without sweat" crowd are now in denial.

 

[M16]

the 10 year licensing deal wasnt factored in the decision. this will be used in the remedies process. i see the parity licensing agreement being enough. if not, microsoft has a lot of wiggle room in negotiations. this wasnt an outright block, or divesture or nothing conclusion. the CMA is open for negotiations.

During our investigation, Microsoft told us that it has offered to enter into new long-term agreements with Sony, Nintendo, and Steam to supply them with CoD post-Merger. Whether some form of supply or licensing agreement might satisfactorily remedy our concerns in gaming consoles is something that we will consider as part of our remedies process, rather than in our competitive assessment.

As noted above, the circumstances in which the CMA might select a behavioural remedy as the primary source of remedial action are not present in this case. The two markets in which the CMA has provisionally found SLCs are multi-faceted and continue to develop. This is particularly the case in cloud gaming, where the customer offerings and business models of market participants are evolving rapidly. We are of the initial view that any behavioural remedy in this case is likely to present material effectiveness risks. We invite the Parties to provide evidence on how these risks could be appropriately managed to ensure that any behavioural remedy is effective.

 

[MMaRsu]

Retarded, MS is one of the few who barely raised prices.

 

[NickFire]

Content parity for COD on Nintendo?

I consider that a lie unless they have specs for next Switch / console on par with new gen.

 

[Banjo64]

There is always a danger reading between the lines, but it sounds to me like they would accept Microsoft’s 10 year commitment, it just doesn’t exist officially yet. Which makes perfect sense - it completely assuages any concerns (or can, perhaps if extended to include cloud somehow).

Seems to open the door for Microsoft providing an iron clad, legally enforceable guarantee on COD parity (stupid concept). CMA gets to look strong, Microsoft does what it had already agreed to. Politics wins.

That deal with Nintendo wasn’t as stupid as people made out. Anyone would think (probably) the best corporate lawyers in the world knew something about what they were doing…

They’ve literally spelt out that divestiture is what they want - they’ve historically refused to entertain behaviours remedies. If they want ABK they aren’t having CoD (is the CMA’s position).

 

[feynoob]

Content parity for COD on Nintendo?

I consider that a lie unless they have specs for next Switch / console on par with new gen.

Maybe next switch is coming soon.

 

[Topher]

If you didn't think CMA was a joke already, maybe this will help you.

How does that make the CMA a "joke"?

 

[Bumblebeetuna]

Ok guys, less innovation for UK gamers.
Pack it up boys and go and play the 567th edition of CoD.

Now THAT is innovation.

Also, go pay 70 each game instead of an affordable subscription.

Now THAT is lower prices.

And don't forget, wait for the game you want one year or two to be available in PC and Xbox.

Now THAT is power of choice.

Pretty much nailed it

 

[MarkMe2525]

Microsoft have 2 options if they still wish to move forward - do what the CMA want or go to court.

Those were always the only 2 options MS had. That hasn't changed.

 

[Three]

Yeah this is a BS take. How do you explain the pricing differences between PS4 and PS5 versions of the same game while there was no price difference between XBO and Series X|S games.

It's what they (MS) themselves said regarding the price hike.

Beginning in 2023, games built for Xbox Series X|S including Forza Motorsport, Redfall, and Starfield will cost $69.99 USD at launch. While Xbox has noted that regional pricing may differ, it has not yet given specifics for other countries.

"This price reflects the content, scale, and technical complexity of these titles," a Microsoft spokesperson told IGN.

There were already pricing differences between XBO and Series X|S games by third parties.

The first party game releases and sales for that extra $10 would have been so low due to GP and the very few big budget releases they made that it was worth more to MS as PR. Now that they have some next gen games and a possible steady flow of AAA we have $70 games from MS too. They don't want to lose that $10 no more.

 

[Brucey]

Per Idas:

There is still a bit of hope for MS:

18. Microsoft has, however, informed us of existing and potential contractual arrangements with third-party platforms relating to access to Call of Duty. Accordingly, while none of the circumstances in which the CMA would select a behavioural remedy as the primary source of remedial action in a merger investigation (as summarised in paragraph 15 above) appear to be present, the CMA will also consider a behavioural access remedy as a possible remedy.

19. Access remedies are a form of behavioural remedy which seek to maintain or restore competition by enabling competitors to have access on appropriate terms to the products and facilities of a merger entity that they require to remain competitive. Access remedies normally require an access commitment which is set out in significant detail so that both customers and monitoring agencies can enforce compliance effectively. In this case, an access remedy would look to ensure third party access to Activision Blizzard, Inc's content that is necessary to remedy the provisional SLCs.

20. We consider in further detail below each of the possible remedies on which views are sought. More generally, the CMA will consider any other practicable remedies that the Parties, or any interested third parties, may propose that could be effective in addressing the SLCs and/or any resulting adverse effects.

Sounds like potentially MS would have to guarantee 3rd party access to all the Activision games and not just COD?

 

[GHG]

How does that make the CMA a "joke"?

Because it's not what he wants.

If Microsoft's previous playbook is anything to go by the "gloves off" approach is what comes next via their talking heads on the press.

 

[Fuz]

 

[TheRedRiders]

That’s so unlike us.

Yup haha.

 

[Varteras]

How does that make the CMA a "joke"?

Microsoft dick-rider Jez is hyperventilating again! He should probably work on his cardio.

 

[Punished Miku]

Doesn't Playstation massively dominate the console market in the UK?

Yeah, it's a pretty ridiculous finding. But that's been the case this whole time. Xbox barely present in Europe while Sony raised game and console prices in Europe. CMA finds Xbox being in a stronger position could hurt prices lol?

Meanwhile, Sony had to revamp their sub service due to MS competing. MS has the cheapest system for sale. And just released a new full game for $30, and have all new releases day one on their sub which is far cheaper. None of these people understand gaming, or they're just literally bought by Sony.

 

[Heisenberg007]

If you didn't think CMA was a joke already, maybe this will help you.

The only joke here in this Tweet to me is Jez.

The CMA is, of course, right.

Those who can't buy expensive consoles will use Cloud gaming. And Microsoft will be able to stifle competition in the Cloud gaming area, which could harm those gamers.

Jez is clearly agitated and frustrated after this news. I reckon he couldn't read and understand it properly.

 

[laynelane]

If you didn't think CMA was a joke already, maybe this will help you.

I don't think a regulatory body doing their job is a joke. A grown man calling them so on Twitter is laughable, though.

 

[Aguero9320]

They’ve literally spelt out that divestiture is what they want - they’ve historically refused to entertain behaviours remedies. If they want ABK they aren’t having CoD (is the CMA’s position).

You are ignoring the subsequent paragraphs. But I’m not going to try to convince you - no one is right or wrong at this point, because they left the door open to continue. If you consider this the moment of climax and it’s final, go right ahead, entirely up to you.

 

[feynoob]

Same with me.
Either case doesn't matter to me.

 

[Heisenberg007]

Because it's not what he wants.

If Microsoft's previous playbook is anything to go by the "gloves off" approach is what comes next via their talking heads on the press.

I was waiting for you to join. Come on.

 

[SLB1904]

higher prices? wasnt it sony that raised the current gen prices?

So did Microsoft and Nintendo. One would guess is the response of everything going up.

 

[The_Mike]

Exactly...so spending 70b on something that's not nearly of what MS expected at first may not make any sense for them anymore. Some decisions will have to be made. That's my point.

I am pretty sure that Microsoft's expectations hasn't been altered during all this, given they also still try to make it go through.

In the bigger picture, like it was the case with Bethesda, it is not about getting the revenue back over night, but what is being calculated in this, is the potential of more hardware sales, or people subscribing to gamepass. It's about making your platform more attractive, which in return with the acquired titles would boost it tremendously.

If you didn't think CMA was a joke already, maybe this will help you.

"Having these games on a streaming service would be crucial, as UK customers have to buy a console to play them".
Just shows that literally no one in the CMA knows what they are talking about.

I am surprised if they actually use computers at the CMA's office and doesnt only rely on pen and paper, as they possibly never have seen any sort of hardware or peripherals in real life.

 

[Trickster]

No. UK is one of Xbox's biggest markets.

But isn't Xbox the lowest selling console brand in the UK?

 

[SmokedMeat]

Our job is to make sure that UK gamers are not caught in the crossfire of global deals that, over time, could damage competition and result in higher prices, fewer choices, or less innovation.

Less innovation? This is Activision we’re talking about

 

[Varteras]

You are ignoring the subsequent paragraphs. But I’m not going to try to convince you - no one is right or wrong at this point, because they left the door open to continue. If you consider this the moment of climax and it’s final, go right ahead, entirely up to you.

Banjo64 climaxes just from breathing

 

[GHG]

Those were always the only 2 options MS had. That hasn't changed.

Well previously the prevailing wisdom was that this would go through without a hitch in all of the key countries/regions and that nobody would dare challenge the mighty Microsoft.

As some of us knew, that was never going to be the case with an acquisition of this size.

 

[Robb]

Having to make concessions was pretty much expected at this point though.

 

[Sony]

The only joke here in this Tweet to me is Jez.

The CMA is, of course, right.

Those who can't buy expensive consoles will use Cloud gaming. And Microsoft will be able to stifle competition in the Cloud gaming area, which could harm those gamers.

Jez is clearly agitated and frustrated after this news. I reckon he couldn't read and understand it properly.

At this point, my annoyance with CMA has made my own judgment into a joke and I agree that the text could be read the way you described it. I say could, because given CMA's lack of understanding of the gaming market, they could very well mean it in the way that they think you need expensive consoles for cloud gaming.

 

[feynoob]

How does that make the CMA a "joke"?

You are asking logic from this dude.

 

[Edmund]

The meltdown in Era is really fun to read lol.

 

[Banjo64]

Banjo64 climaxes just from breathing

Breathing is the cleanest, best pleasure.

 

[Topher]

You are asking logic from this dude.

Seems like a reasonable guy....

At this point, my annoyance with CMA has made my own judgment into a joke and I agree that the text could be read the way you described it. I say could, because given CMA's lack of understanding of the gaming market, they could very well mean it in the way that they think you need expensive consoles for cloud gaming.

 

[feynoob]

The only joke here in this Tweet to me is Jez.

The CMA is, of course, right.

Those who can't buy expensive consoles will use Cloud gaming. And Microsoft will be able to stifle competition in the Cloud gaming area, which could harm those gamers.

Jez is clearly agitated and frustrated after this news. I reckon he couldn't read and understand it properly.

Fanboys don't really read that much. They act through emotions.

 

[Banjo64]

You are ignoring the subsequent paragraphs. But I’m not going to try to convince you - no one is right or wrong at this point, because they left the door open to continue. If you consider this the moment of climax and it’s final, go right ahead, entirely up to you.

I often ignore what I don’t want to hear.