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[Banjo64]

So the CMA adopted all of Sonys arguments and made those their own?

Yeah, if you read with your ears.

 

[solidus12]

Guys, come have a laugh

 

[Orbital2060]

And they sent Call pf Duty out to die? Lmao

You cant divest a creative business like this, its not a factory builiding.

 

[Varteras]

So the CMA adopted all of Sonys arguments and made those their own?

Correct. It isn't that the CMA heard different sides and decided one made better points about the industry. The truth is that Jim Ryan went Taken-villain on their asses and is holding all of their daughters for ransom. The CMA is thinking about their families. You can't blame them. Jim Ryan is a monster.

 

[Bitmap Frogs]

Punished Miku


360 was a combination of many fortunate factors for MS. MS brought on PC developers for console exclusives, because they found it far easier to program for the system which was a bit more similar to PC. Bioware, Bethesda mainly. Bungie has a few hits as well. PS3 cell architecture shit the bed. All that has changed and can't be replicated. Sony has PC-like systems now, and WRPGs aren't new on consoles like they were. I don't really think the 360 era is that relevant to today's market at all. If anything, it shows that it took multiple flukes for MS to catch up, and Sony I think still outsold them that gen, starting with a $600 system.

If those were “flukes” (actually smart decision makin) then the rrod counts as a “fluke” as well…

 

[Team Andromeda]

Sorry about that.
I was just gassed about American people hyping up MS pull.

Don't ever insult me again

 

[Heisenberg007]

And they sent Call pf Duty out to die? Lmao

You cant divest a creative business like this, its not a factory builiding.

Activision can get timed or full exclusivity deals from PlayStation if they struggle financially after the divestiture. No need for COD to die

Also, they don't have to divest. Microsoft can just back off and ABK can continue working as they have been doing for years.

 

[Aguero9320]

And you still don't get it.

This is about the 10-year deal specifically. I'm telling you the 10-year deal is probably NOT enough for the CMA - However, it would probably be enough if Sony accepted it because they're not worried about competition beyond the 10-year agreement.

And where in my post did I say Sony gets to decide?

I never said they get to decide what to do, I said they will probably be more open to passing the deal if Sony agreed with the 10-year deal. This would mean Sony would no longer object to the deal since they accepted the 10-year offer.

I think I'll just leave it at... okay. We'll see what happens.

 

[DForce]

As someone who despises COD, I know cod is big but it's not big enough to cause MS to have a monopoly in this industry like it's being made out to be?

CMA don't know much about the industry and is getting a lot of their info from Sony fanboys. Sony has the biggest games in the industry, and yet MS can't buy a few companies because it will hurt competition? In my opinion, there's no competition atm when it comes to who's the dominant platform

This is funny because Xbox fans were excited after the Zenimax acquisition because they were going to be a major threat to Sony.

Now the narrative has shifted to, "We can't compete with Sony unless we have Call of Duty."

 

[solidus12]

Also, remember when Phil said he’s more confident than ever?

 

[DenchDeckard]

I consider myself a fan of Xbox.....but then I read takes from the likes of Jez and I think.....Man, I am no where near that level.

 

[SenjutsuSage]

I'm pretty pleased, but some seem to think the CMA has blocked the deal. They have not. They are saying they are willing to entertain seriously behavioral remedies instead of just divestiture though they stress this is a deal where they typically wouldn't approve such behavorial remedies, but they are willing to entertain them and make an exception in this case so long as Microsoft makes them ironclad, contractual, easily enforceable, and monitorable.

Microsoft is getting Activision Blizzard, and this proves it in my eyes. CMA also clearly got some facts wrong, one of which being that you need to purchase a console to play the Game Pass cloud games. You do not.

I always viewed this deal from the perspective of an Xbox fan who didn't care if Microsoft had to give a little to get the deal, and CMA has provided a path for just that to take place, which can also be a form of blueprint for Europe and also FTC to claim they got a win out of the deal. I don't mind all those ABK games staying multi-plat if that's what it takes. I certainly don't mind PS+ being able to get some ABK games including call of duty also. PS+ already has Bethesda games.

 

[Varteras]

Don't ever insult me again

Bro, being American is awesome. We have Waffle House. It's like a breakfast restaurant where every day is a reality TV show featuring the trashiest people you've ever seen and half the time the cops get called.

 

[The_Mike]

The deal will go through mate. Cloud gaming means you don't need expensive console's and SONY games aren't cheaper
MS lawyers will have a field day.

IF I was MS I'll just buy SEGA and be done with it

Tell it to the CMA retards they are apparently too thick headed to understand it.

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

 

[rickybooby87]

Guys, come have a laugh

He honestly knows better, but that doesn't get clicks, nah mean?

 

[DeepEnigma]

Maybe if they offer to sell Call of Duty to Sony....

I mean, if it's not about CoD and it's about Candy Crush... then...

 

[Orbital2060]

Activision can get timed or full exclusivity deals from PlayStation if they struggle financially after the divestiture. No need for COD to die

Also, they don't have to divest. Microsoft can just back off and ABK can continue working as they have been doing for years.

Back off why exactly? Its ABK that wants to sell, its not a hostile takeover.

 

[Punished Miku]

I don’t hate Xbox and a monopoly benefits nobody but hear me out, I believe Xbox should be focused on making incredible games.

When’s the last time you saw a Horizon a Spider-Man or a TLOU from Microsoft? They have a bunch of studios and produce very middle of the road games. Their shining star is Turn10 (awesome fellas) and they make racing games.

Xbox is like we have awesome services! We have TV and Skype integration! How about the games? They fundamentally act and feel like if they don’t care about games but rather being a platform for games and gamepass is snot


If those were “flukes” (actually smart decision makin) then the rrod counts as a “fluke” as well…

I'm sure they're trying to make good games. As is Amazon. It's pretty difficult.

One thing I've also argued many times in the past is that the era where it's possible to catch up and make new studios is largely over. It's become prohibitively difficult and expensive to start from the ground up at that level, and there's a ton of risk it will all fail.

If a AAA game takes 7 years now, then it would take a team 21 years and close to a billion dollars to make a AAA trilogy and get the same project completion experience that a studio like Sucker Punch got just on PS2 with Sly Cooper. The MS studio issue seems to be creating a functioning and reliable studio culture equipped to handle milestones, development and project completion. Unless they just focus only on small scale AA games (something I want) then they're just not going to have anywhere near the experience in completing projects that their rivals have. The Nintendo advantage is that they retained all their staff this entire time. They have upper level managers that have experience making games from the 70s, and at every level of the company they're all experienced in the same culture and development strategy. No one can catch up now in time, and at scale. That's why you see everyone pursuing acquisitions, because an existing, functioning development culture is near impossible to re-create in time once it's busted. MS axing their first party studios in the later 360 era was nearly a fatal flaw. They have to acquire to catch up, or they may as well just give up. Luckily they at least got Bethesda.

 

[SlimySnake]

I don't follow or listen to Jez like you all do. But it's been obvious to me for a few years that Sony is basically unstoppable. It's the main reason I've supported this deal, because no one is left that can possibly compete against them. Not Google, Amazon, Tencent. MS is last place, burning billions, cheaper system, innovative sub service and are still not moving the needle that much.

Where I disagree with Jez is that MS still has a ton of studios and plenty to compete, but I don't think they'll ever pass Sony. If MS ever decides it's just not worth it, then there's no one left. This is why I've never truly understood all the hate MS gets. They're the last one holding the line right now against a virtual monopoly. Nintendo already gave up and tried to carve out their own side market.

An arrogant, completely unchecked Sony is the worst possible outcome for everyone - including Sony gamers. Everyone should be hoping MS still finds it worth it to invest in gaming.

The fact that Sony released 3 last gen games for the PS5 in year 2 of the PS5 and one next gen game that looked worse than their last gen game, and yet still broke sales records is proof that they are unstoppable like Nintendo in the handheld market. You're right. It's all about brand recognition now and Sony's built themselves an amazing brand.

However, the difference is that the brand name was built on games. Not services. Not cheaper consoles. Nintendo might not be making AAA games for us like they used to, but I have bought A LOT of Nintendo games for my son over the years. I might be a Zelda, Metroid and 3D Mario guy pissed off about their lack of AAA output but their other games aimed at children release every year multiple times a year. Dad, I want luigi's mansion. Dad, Super Mario Party is amazing. Dad, my friend bought Mario Tennis. Bitch, you dont even watch Tennis. I have shat on Sony's cross gen lineup all year, but the games were still fun to play and had better production values than some next gen only games from other publishers.

So yes, while MS leaving would give us an even more arrogant Sony and create the monopoly CMA is trying to avoid, I think MS has dug themselves a hole here that they simply cant dig out of. A decade and a half of poor development practices focusing on kinect, then tv then services instead of just fucking games. If they had, they wouldve been a well oiled machine like Sony releasing games after games every year.

 

[Heisenberg007]

Back off why exactly? Its ABK that wants to sell, its not a hostile takeover.

It is not just ABK that wants to sell; it is also Microsoft that wants to buy.

So Microsoft now has two options: (1) divestiture ABK and only buy King, or (2) drop this acquisition and let ABK stay as ABK and operate as they have been.

So it is literally up to Microsoft now what they want to do.

 

[Pedro Motta]

Hahaha Jim Ryan doesn't return the fat lump of lard phone calls. So good.

 

[Punished Miku]

So yes, while MS leaving would give us an even more arrogant Sony and create the monopoly CMA is trying to avoid, I think MS has dug themselves a hole here that they simply cant dig out of. A decade and a half of poor development practices focusing on kinect, then tv then services instead of just fucking games. If they had, they wouldve been a well oiled machine like Sony releasing games after games every year.

Exactly. Other than acquisitions, which I have supported. It's their last chance. Luckily they managed to get several. It wont be enough still to pass Sony though, which is why I think this whole debate has been ridiculous.

And more to the point, not only can MS not dig out of it - no one can dig out of it. No one can catch up now with the length of time development takes and the scale of investment needed. Amazon can't do it. No one can do it. It's prohibitively time consuming, and expensive. MS is the last chance for the industry.

 

[Orbital2060]

The court case is going to be interesting wrt discovery.

 

[Banjo64]

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

In case anyone doesn’t know this man child is actually employed by a website that wants to be taken seriously.

 

[Thirty7ven]

The court case is going to be interesting wrt discovery.

What court case?

 

[DeepEnigma]

Tell it to the CMA retards they are apparently too thick headed to understand it.

 

[Pedro Motta]

Hope this makes MS take those 70B and really create some good games. This amount funds decades of great experiences and IP's, get your head out of your ass and work you lazy fucks.

 

[Three]

It's very likely that they're fully aware Microsoft offered a 10-year deal to Sony and that wasn't enough.

Looked it up, they offered 10 years in December so that pic is probably older than that.

The 10yr deal was back in November and back in November I said the CMA are unlikely to accept it based on the fact that they are likely to push structural remedies instead:

If you look at their remedies guideline they are more likely to push structural remedies, such as divestitures than behavioural ones like the one MS seem to be suggesting. If as MS say they offer releases with parity to competitors for 10yrs that is something that would require constant monitoring for compliance. That's why I'm doubtful MS' 10yr agreement would be accepted. We'll see.

If the CMA accept any behavioural remedies it would need to be ironclad/comprehensive and require as little regulation from the CMA as possible.

 

[Orbital2060]

What court case?

The inevitable one.

 

[solidus12]

In case anyone doesn’t know this man child is actually employed by a website that wants to be taken seriously.

 

[Bitmap Frogs]

I'm sure they're trying to make good games. As is Amazon. It's pretty difficult.

One thing I've also argued many times in the past is that the era where it's possible to catch up and make new studios is largely over. It's become prohibitively difficult and expensive to start from the ground up at that level, and there's a ton of risk it will all fail.

If a AAA game takes 7 years now, then it would take a team 21 years and close to a billion dollars to make a AAA trilogy and get the same project completion experience that a studio like Sucker Punch got just on PS2 with Sly Cooper. The MS studio issue seems to be creating a functioning and reliable studio culture equipped to handle milestones, development and project completion. Unless they just focus only on small scale AA games (something I want) then they're just not going to have anywhere near the experience in completing projects that their rivals have. The Nintendo advantage is that they retained all their staff this entire time. They have upper level managers that have experience making games from the 70s, and at every level of the company they're all experienced in the same culture and development strategy. No one can catch up now in time, and at scale. That's why you see everyone pursuing acquisitions, because an existing, functioning development culture is near impossible to re-create in time once it's busted. MS axing their first party studios in the later 360 era was nearly a fatal flaw. They have to acquire to catch up, or they may as well just give up. Luckily they at least got Bethesda.

I was in the middle of deleting that post

Anyways I’d rather someone who knows how to make games bought Xbox to be frank…

 

[Heisenberg007]

In case anyone doesn’t know this man child is actually employed by a website that wants to be taken seriously.

A "Managing Editor" who can't read and understand a simple sentence.

 

[Smoke6]

Microsoft has to spend a significant portion of its cash to purchase the game and then actually produce COD. Its a significant amount of risk and exposure. Sony wants to continue taking its economic rent from activision without being required to take on the risk of running COD. A ten year deal allows Sony to take its cut for long enough to refine its business model so that it can survive survive without depending on another company's products.

Dude the same can be said for MS!!! Wtf are you talking about?

Lmao! Why can’t MS take the approach you just gave for Sony? If they did that then this wouldn’t be an issue as they both had the same limelight with COD for over 10yrs now!

 

[Punished Miku]

I was in the middle of deleting that post

Anyways I’d rather someone who knows how to make games bought Xbox to be frank…

Who do you suggest that has the money to fund all those studios, GP games, outbid Sony on 3rd party exclusives, and knows how to make games? Sounds great. Let's do it.

 

[Thirty7ven]

The inevitable one.

Where?

 

[Andodalf]

Sony is finally going to have to hand over the documents they’ve been fighting tooth and nail to hide, online sentiment will shift fully against them when the stuff they clearly don’t want known comes out, and the CMA will allow the deal through with the concession that MS continue to publish COD on other platforms. This provisional finding is a big w for MS. Did anyone actually expect a unconditional approval???

 

[TropicanaTwista]

I don't follow or listen to Jez like you all do. But it's been obvious to me for a few years that Sony is basically unstoppable. It's the main reason I've supported this deal, because no one is left that can possibly compete against them. Not Google, Amazon, Tencent. MS is last place, burning billions, cheaper system, innovative sub service and are still not moving the needle that much.

Where I disagree with Jez is that MS still has a ton of studios and plenty to compete, but I don't think they'll ever pass Sony. If MS ever decides it's just not worth it, then there's no one left. This is why I've never truly understood all the hate MS gets. They're the last one holding the line right now against a virtual monopoly. Nintendo already gave up and tried to carve out their own side market.

An arrogant, completely unchecked Sony is the worst possible outcome for everyone - including Sony gamers. Everyone should be hoping MS still finds it worth it to invest in gaming.

You don't honestly believe this do you? I think gamers have actually been pretty fair over the years. 360 performed better than PS3 and gamers moved over to that. Even with Nintendo consoles. The Wii and switch sell/sold gang busters, but the community couldn't give 2 shits about the Wii U.

Even the stuff you list as what Microsofts doing doesn't seem like that big a deal, at least to me. Burning billions? What does that accomplish for consumers. Cheaper console? Who cares as it's underpowered. Think it clearly shows the market doesn't want that from a MS console.

Fact if the matter is, MS just needs to be better. While I'm sure some people are like this, a majority don't just blinded buy playstation and Nintendo machines. They buy they because their is compelling features/games that they offer, in which Xbox lacks.

 

[Orbital2060]

Where?

CMA

 

[XXL]

This is funny because Xbox fans were excited after the Zenimax acquisition because they were going to be a major threat to Sony.

Now the narrative has shifted to, "We can't compete with Sony unless we have Call of Duty."

Xbox has 20+ studios and have basically produced little to nothing of note for the last few years, Forza Horizon is pretty much it. When you think about it, they have had more success ruining their top tier franchises more than anything in that time period.

I own a Series X and I don't even think they deserve to have all of the studio's that would come out of this deal, until they prove they can do something with what they have first. They have enough on paper currently.

PlayStation and Nintendo are killing it with what they have, in contrast. It doesnt seem like MS can conjure up the magic that the other 2 can consistently.

I understand why Xbox fans (and fanboys) want this deal to go through, but I dont think it's a good idea in all reality.

 

[Bitmap Frogs]

Who do you suggest that has the money to fund all those studios, GP games, outbid Sony on 3rd party exclusives, and knows how to make games? Sounds great. Let's do it.

You know who, but if I name the name people will balk.

 

[fred420170]

They've been raising prices in India long before anyone did in the "west" or "first world." But lemme guess, fuck India and one of the largest populations in the world, right? Beta testing price increases in India has been going on for quite some time by MS.

They tried raising Xbox Live Gold prices (doubling them) when their shills said they were going to drop the online fee, and received massive backlash for it.

They only played short-term PR durring the holidays, and that's all you recently remember. Then raised the prices right after to $70.

They did not raise prices in Japan or India. The change was due to the value of the Dollar vs. Yen/Rupee. It's actually cheaper in Japan because of it.

 

[bentanchorbolt]

Getting spicy.

 

[Banjo64]

Sony is finally going to have to hand over the documents they’ve been fighting tooth and nail to hide, online sentiment will shift fully against them when the stuff they clearly don’t want known comes out, and the CMA will allow the deal through with the concession that MS continue to publish COD on other platforms. This provisional finding is a big w for MS. Did anyone actually expect a unconditional approval???

Yeah, some of the dunces in favour of the deal.

 

[DeepEnigma]

The change was due to the value of the Dollar vs. Yen/Rupee.

And Sony did not raise console prices in the US. The change was due to the value of dollar vs....

See where this is going? honk! honk!

 

[Pelta88]

Kotic saying Sony is no longer taking Activision calls is the icing on today's cake.

 

[Punished Miku]

You know who, but if I name the name people will balk.

I literally don't know who you're talking about.

 

[Bitmap Frogs]

I literally don't know who you're talking about.

Tencent.

 

[Fess]

Thread moves fast, what’s happening, is the deal dead?

 

[jm89]

Kotic saying Sony is no longer taking Activision calls is the icing on today's cake.

Jimbo is a 5d being, you don't play 4d chess with that type of person.

 

[Daneel Elijah]

Thread moves fast, what’s happening, is the deal dead?

The CMA had finally said their preliminary opinions on it and it is badfor Microsoft. Either Microsoft accept harsh terms, or stop the deal. Still possible but less certain that it was a few weeks ago.