Microsoft / Activision Deal Approval Watch |OT| (MS/ABK close)
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GHG
Gold Member
It's not a lie if they put measures in place to ensure playstation no longer exists in 10 years time.
DrFigs
Member
it's not even just phil spencer, this whole "kumbaya ... it doesn't matter what console you play on" act xbox has been doing for the last 2 years has been extremely annoying, while they were making these huge acquisitions. and people on this forum who absolutely know better pretending that Bethesda was just planning on making xbox exclusives on their own accord independent of the acquisition. everything is in bad faith. you hate to see it.
People have issue with the double speak and "white lies."
DeepEnigma
Gold Member
Badlucktroll
Member
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Drell
Member
thicc_girls_are_teh_best
Member
So Obsidian, Double Fine, Ninja Theory, inXile, Playground Games and Compulsion weren't good enough?
I mean none of those teams have released anything of significance since being acquired so I guess that maybe answers the question, but still...
You think Capcom were going to lock RESIDENT EVIL 4 to a dead console in the Gamecube? Did you see how Eternal Darkness sold on that system? It had absolutely terrible sales. Same with RE Zero. The Gamecube ports of RE2 and 3 didn't do particularly well, either, and those were with expectations of them as simpler ports.
I don't know what you're getting at with SSX. If there was some version in development for Dreamcast, well I find that impossible because EA were the game's publisher and EA publicly rejected support for the Dreamcast. The first SSX came out when there was no other alternative but PS2. The other SSX games, most of them anyway, got ports to Xbox and Gamecube, they just didn't sell very well on either platform compared to PS2.
Deathloop & Ghostwire being announced with no platform exclusivity isn't the same thing as a game switching a platform with no announcement. The exclusivity would have just limited those games to a specific console for a time period but all intended platforms would still end up with the game after the exclusivity period. A game switching platforms unannounced is literally it dropping development for one console or set of consoles to focus development for another console or set of consoles. In those cases the platforms being dropped will likely never receive that game.
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Andodalf
Banned
Will you go back to being an Xbox fan after the Ps users alts go away after the deal and you get less reactions for pandering to them?
TheThreadsThatBindUs
Member
What a load of hilarious drivel.
Thirty7ven
Banned
Reads like Chatgpt wrote an article based on Microsoft's arguments.
DeepEnigma
Gold Member
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thicc_girls_are_teh_best
Member
It's cute that you think I'm pandering. If I were pandering I'd call for the deal to be shut down altogether, no matter what.
Guess it's too bad caring more about the industry at large and more than one platform holder suddenly means I'm pandering
That's a good point; I don't think Harvey is on their PR team for anything related to the deal. I do find the timing of his comments ironic and not to Microsoft's favor, but it's probably a reach to say Microsoft want the deal to fall apart.
They clearly want it to go through, with as few concessions as possible. But when comments like Harvey's slip out it just exposes more about the Zenimax play that regulators haven't forgotten about just because the talk is now about ABK. And I doubt Microsoft can put too much of a gag order on people like Harvey Smith because they don't want to be seen as stifling the voices of their creators. They want to come off as much pro-developer as they're trying to come off as pro-consumer; not letting your creatives speak freely would harm that perception.
So I think Microsoft are kind of a rock stuck in a hard place on that one.
thicc_girls_are_teh_best
Member
Waitaminute I think I know who wrote this....
They've been insinuating Sony engaging in anticompetitive practices in Japan to suppress Xbox. Like MS needed any help with that during the XBO gen. They wiped away every 360 gain they made there and then some.
No regression that bad since NEC/Hudson with the PC-FX.
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Pelta88
Member
Harvey Smith / Arkane director's comments about Redfall?
I'm questioning the timing... Given the billions that's on the line, something seems strange about the timing of his comments. Surely he's aware of how damaging this key piece of info will have against his employer, Microsoft. Right?
I haven't read every document but I don't think a PS5 build for the game was confirmed beforehand. Surely he knows Sony's lawyers will present this to regulators. The entire thing seems kinda strange. Juicy, but strange.
I'm questioning the timing... Given the billions that's on the line, something seems strange about the timing of his comments. Surely he's aware of how damaging this key piece of info will have against his employer, Microsoft. Right?
I haven't read every document but I don't think a PS5 build for the game was confirmed beforehand. Surely he knows Sony's lawyers will present this to regulators. The entire thing seems kinda strange. Juicy, but strange.
Bernoulli
M2 slut
he is right to do it
imagine developing a game on a big platform and it gets canceled
doesn't matter if he gets the pay, because the succes of the game heavly depends on avaibility too
remember titanfall when it was made exclusive, awesome game but sadly failed because only a small portion had acces to it
reinking
Gold Member
That is MS/Xbox's biggest problem. People can't shut up and it starts at the top in the Xbox division.
ChorizoPicozo
Member
It feels there is not cohesion between Bethesda and MS. (like they are not talking at all).
also in the conspiracy territory; sometimes bonuses could be attached to the number of copies sold (as well as MC scores).
I also think it coud be a little bit of irritation for the latest bethesda's layoffs.
Playground, Obsidian and Double Fine haven't released anything of significance since 2018?
Eh. It's you.
You…think the CMA isn't aware that Microsoft is making several Bethesda games exclusive?
An early PS5 build doesn't change the conversation. They know Bethesda was a multi-platform developer.
thicc_girls_are_teh_best
Member
Imagine if Minecraft is under a '10 year deal' too
10 year is up next year.
2014 article still relevant today : https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2014...-microsoft-owned-but-not-microsoft-exclusive/
That would be insane if it turned out to be true, but the wildest part is...it IS a possibility.
They could just launch a "Minecraft 2" and push it only to platforms "where Game Pass exists" i.e Xbox, PC, and mobile. I don't know if Microsoft see the value in Minecraft for a strategy like that like they do with COD, though. Pulling Minecraft from other platforms would probably piss Nintendo off the most and Microsoft aren't trying to make an enemy out of both platform holders, just one.
Same reason why say if they tried to acquire Sega, they wouldn't touch Sonic on Nintendo otherwise if they thought Sony put up a fight, they haven't seen anything yet.
sainraja
Member
I don't think anyone was asking any of the console manufacturers to own major publishers like Activision & Blizzard. As someone else already mentioned, MS has bought studios, has already bought a publisher and this is their second publisher they are trying to buy, which has stalled a bit, so it is "pending".
And the plot thickens.Imagine if Minecraft is under a '10 year deal' too
10 year is up next year.
2014 article still relevant today : https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2014...-microsoft-owned-but-not-microsoft-exclusive/
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That guy is an Xbox ***boy through and through. I wouldn't worry about what he says.
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Dick Jones
Banned
Are you saying he should lie? Maybe he saw his buddies get the bullet over the great mismanagement of 343? Maybe he is leaving to set up a studio outside the Xbox family.
nikolino840
Member
I think it's just a reflection on the fact that the FTC and people like Biden are against big tech and in this case against an American company when in Japan, from what he says, they are much more likely to favor Japanese companies even when, according to him, they are very aggressive in the market.Waitaminute I think I know who wrote this....
They've been insinuating Sony engaging in anticompetitive practices in Japan to suppress Xbox. Like MS needed any help with that during the XBO gen. They wiped away every 360 gain they made there and then some.
No regression that bad since NEC/Hudson with the PC-FX.
nikolino840
Member
Microsoft made minecraft for psvr
ChorizoPicozo
Member
why didn't MS made and uncharted competitor but instead choose to buy TR exclusivity?
GHG
Gold Member
why didn't MS made and uncharted competitor but instead choose to buy TR exclusivity?
Why are they purchasing Activision Blizzard instead of using 343i or even the recently purchased id Software to make a call of duty competitor?
Call of Duty even runs on id tech. So it's not like they wouldn't already have all the tools necessary.
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James Sawyer Ford
Banned
Bernoulli
M2 slut
a COD is made in 2-3 years
thicc_girls_are_teh_best
Member
Pretty interesting take. I think
Astray
's is more likely interpretation, but OTOH, you'd think all people with public-facing positions (even momentarily) during these proceedings would have gotten the memo to not say anything that could complicate things for Microsoft.So how would an admission like the one with RedFall just "slip through" so easily? Unless that was part of the intent?
When I say "significance", I mean in the sense of being a big new tentpole franchise that clearly helps bolster the Xbox brand where it matters: hardware sales and revenue growth.
It doesn't mean stuff like Pentiment aren't quality games. It just means they are nothing of significance. If these games were of enough significance individually or collectively, MS would have the growth in the areas they want so as to where they would not need to consider acquiring publishers like ABK to actually realize that growth.
He's being sarcastic.
Well that is a difference of priorities but the reality as well is that all of the biggest tech companies in the world happen to be American. Microsoft, Apple, Google, Amazon...these are the biggest tech companies in the world and they are all headquartered in the United States. They got their start in the United States. But now they are so big and so global, that regulatory bodies like the FTC can't really just favor regulations so easily to them like they probably (and in fact did) in the past.
IIRC didn't Japanese regulators give approval for Microsoft in the ABK deal? So I guess they aren't as protective of Japanese competitors as that person thinks they are.
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Pelta88
Member
Solid points and as weird as it may sound. I think all are correct at the same time. Bethesda lay-offs, inability to shut up, and the loss of a platform's audience.
I'm certain, given his position, he's completely aware that this could be damaging. No conspiracy necessary.
GHG
Gold Member
Well I used to hear a lot about how Xbox's first party studios are good at making FPS/shooter games, especially those that are GAAS orientated and that's where their strengths lie instead of "one and done" experiences.
So much for that huh?
Capcom was locking to that dead console just like they did for a year over Code Veronica on Dreamcast. Mikami had a feud with Sony over their policies and would even meet with Microsoft over it, Nintendo snagged their most hyped games and still had RE0 and RE1 for more than 10 years, it was during 2004 that with Capcom Five falling out and the previous games not being financial hits that made Capcom to have Killer 7 and RE4 PS2 versions announced before the Gamecube counterparts being released, with the former going gold on Gamecube by the fall of that year but Capcom had little faith on it so they decided to shelve it for months to be released simultaneously on both platforms.
Deathloop and Ghostwire had no platforms announced and no signs of being Playstation exclusive, so people obviously would assume it was multiplatform as every Bethesda release since Oblivion, it was a shocker that these two were exclusive on PS5 rather than Xbox Series since Bethesda and Microsoft have a long time relationship since Morrowind with all their titles having Xbox marketing.
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Warablo
Member
I mean what did people expect? Of course Microsoft wants to bolster its 1st party. Would be no reason otherwise to buy a publisher or studio. Unless they want to start being a third party developer, which doesn't seem wise.
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Its marketing talk and not exactly a lie.
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They relied on Halo and Gears of War for far too long then went down the Kinect hell hole. They only really wanted developers for Kinect.
You can, even from your toilet! All devices that support Game Pass or streaming. You could even play from your Playstation 5 if it had browser.
Its marketing talk and not exactly a lie.
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Loomy
Thinks Microaggressions are Real
I think people expected Phil Spencer to not be lying through his teeth when he said "we want people to be able to play wherever they are"
A funny conspiracy theory in which an employee wants to take secret revenge on his company because they didn't let him release his game on PS5... The same employee who says that it was good news for them to have to focus only on one platform. ....
Before conspiracy theories it was simple to read the documents..
Since at least September 2022, the CMA knows about Redfall (and Starfield) becoming exclusives once MS bought Zenimax (implying that there was a PS5 version in development):
Decision from Phase 1 (September 15th 2022)
The CMA found a pattern of Microsoft acquiring development studios and making their upcoming games exclusive to Xbox. All of these studios developed games for other gaming consoles before being acquired by Microsoft. These include:
(a) ZeniMax Media: Microsoft chose to make several of ZeniMax's major gaming franchises exclusive in consoles to Xbox, including the upcoming games Starfield and, based on Microsoft's public statements, The Elder Scrolls VI, following its 2021 acquisition.
Microsoft's response to the Issues Statement (October 31st 2022)
Microsoft stated that it would "honor all of ZeniMax's obligations to continue to make its current games available on other gaming hardware, including two planned console exclusive releases for the Sony PlayStation 5: Deathloop and Ghostwire: Tokyo". The games were released on an exclusive basis on PlayStation with high Metacritic ratings.
Microsoft has not taken any existing ZeniMax titles which were shipping on PlayStation on 9 March 2021 (the date when it closed its acquisition of Zenimax) off Playstation or other platforms.
Microsoft was clear that "[REDACTED]". The first Xbox and PC exclusive games will be Starfield and Redfall (both entirely new games) which are scheduled to be released in 2023 (i.e., some 2 years after the ZeniMax acquisition).
This news has no more meaning than knowing that a PS5 version of Redfall would have been planned if Zenimax were independent.
What effects can it have on the resolution of the CMA??? It doubtfully anyone since it is something that they already knew and even asked MS.
At this time the CMA only has to decide whether or not MS beavoral solutions convince them to solve their concerns regarding the COD franchise in particular (the rest of the ABK franchises could be what MS wants)
ChorizoPicozo
Member
Bernoulli
M2 slut
but we saw microsoft refuse to give documents to FTC about the Zenimax aquisition
CMA only knew that redfall was exclusive
they didn't know it was in development on PS5 then got canceled by microsoft
it is very different
Barakov
Member
I can see it. Counter-Strike 2 is dropping this year. I can see Minecraft 2 happening.
Also the quote about MS saying that Sony should be able to make a COD competitor in 10 years lines up with it.
GHG
Gold Member
fallingdove
Member
It makes plenty of sense.
"Hey 150M people that have been paying $60 per year to play COD on your platform of choice. Now the only way for you to play the latest entry is to pay us $30 per month. And now we don't have to pay platform fees."
Even if MS only converted 50% of the user base to GamePass they would stand to increase revenue by more than 3x.
The FPSs Sony made couldn't compete with COD. That's sort of the point they are making.
Socom PS3, MAG, Resistance 3, Killzone Shadowfall — all bombed. They might have been better than COD in one way or another but nobody has been successful in standing up a competitor to COD.
Even Respawn, contributors to the COD legacy couldn't repeat their success with Titanfall. So it's not for a lack of trying.
HoofHearted
Member
Did I actually just see a cartoon of a man flashing his ass and testicles at another man earlier in this thread?
Just making sure I'm not starting to hallucinate from the bourbon.....
Just making sure I'm not starting to hallucinate from the bourbon.....
bitbydeath
Gold Member
MS does have a love for contractors, wouldn't surprise me if they sacked a bunch of full time staff and replace them with higher paid contractors that got under people's skin.
DarkMage619
$MSFT
No it still doesn't make any sense because MS still sells games via traditional retail. MS has never indicated plans to end traditional retail sales. In fact they've said the opposite. MS would severely limit their sales opportunities if they limited games only to Game pass because Game pass isn't available everywhere. Right now they can have both traditional retail AND Game pass. Again Minecraft still shows MS has not made a game exclusive after massively expanding it. CoD isn't going anywhere but to more platforms.
feynoob
Banned
Its madness down here.
adamsapple
Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
Y'all actively seek out these crazies on twitter and post them here then pretend to act surprised
crazies go both ways
fred420170
Member
Well, he isn't lying, play on a browser, phone, console, PC... people always have a phone on them right? Not that that's the preferred way to play, but it's a true statement.
fred420170
Member
At least there's paragraphs and punctuation...
FlyyGOD
Member
I could've sworn Phil said "case by case basis ".
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