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[feynoob]

This survery means it's gameover for CMA unless they reverse their decision quickly and apologize

This is funny

Cityam.com has around 3.2 million unique visitors per month primarily based in London and across the UK. We also have a strong international audience, with strong traffic sources from the United States and India.

 

[Heisenberg007]

This survery means it's gameover for CMA unless they reverse their decision quickly and apologize

Poor guy has been working overtime since the CMA released their decision

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

This survery means it's gameover for CMA unless they reverse their decision quickly and apologize

This Florian guy is really pissing me off, to the extent that I'm rooting for this deal to be dead just to watch him suffer

 

[RickMasters]

On top on that the statements that Bungie would be independent going forward and free to work multiplatform as is their wish. Providing they keep their word, they could make larger purchases as long as they keep that caveat. If they break that they can get fucked.

The next bungie game will be PS and PC only. what they say now is one thing...when the time comes it will be something along the lines of "we decided it would be best to focus on one console for the optimal experience"...or "there are not enough fans on xbox to make it worth porting" . And nobody (outside of xbox only gamers) will really be bothered any more trhan they are about future square games coming to xbox. It is what it is....

 

[LordCBH]

This Florian guy is really pissing me off, to the extent that I'm rooting for this deal to be dead just to watch him suffer

Why is that weirdo so desperate to see this anti-consumer merger cross the finish line?

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

Why is that weirdo so desperate to see this anti-consumer merger cross the finish line?

his ego was hurt when it was blocked

 

[SEGAvangelist]

Why is that weirdo so desperate to see this anti-consumer merger cross the finish line?

His brand is pushing this pro-consumer merger. He's gotta stick with that.

 

[feynoob]

Why is that weirdo so desperate to see this anti-consumer merger cross the finish line?

He is a paid person.
http://www.fosspatents.com/?m=1

Clients currently include--in some competition contexts that affect my own interests as an app maker--Microsoft, which I am disclosing at their request as I already did in 2011. I also wish to acknowledge that I was a consultant to Blizzard (now part of Activision Blizzard King) for several unforgettable years.

 

[MasterCornholio]

He is buying shares because he expects the stock price to increase. It could be for 2 reasons:

• The deal goes through: MS purchases ABK at $95 per share. The guy is buying at ~$75 per share. So he earns a 20%+ gain.
• The deal does not go through: The stock price does not hit $95. But he understands the financials of the company and also expects to receive $3 billion from Microsoft in the form of penalty, which will increase the stock price as well as the dividend amount.

Either way, I think this is smart. If this is not on options, he will almost certainly end up with some profit.

Either way he can profit from this. I don't really see this as proof of anything but we have to wait and see what happens.

All I know is that this situation isn't easy for Microsoft. People like that Florian guy say it's an easy win for them bit I don't believe that's the case.

 

[Ar¢tos]

The next bungie game will be PS and PC only. what they say now is one thing...when the time comes it will be something along the lines of "we decided it would be best to focus on one console for the optimal experience"...or "there are not enough fans on xbox to make it worth porting" . And nobody (outside of xbox only gamers) will really be bothered any more trhan they are about future square games coming to xbox. It is what it is....

They can do both, since they are making more than one game. One can be multiplatform, the other playstation exclusive (the MP one is very likely to be multiplatform).

 

[Bernoulli]

he put all his trust in EU now

 

[feynoob]

I wish this ends super fast.

 

[DeepEnigma]

Jezz Corden:



CMA:
† Amazon Luna was not available in the UK until March 22, 2023.812


The fact that these people don't get that the CMA knows what they are doing is amusing to me.

And about .00025% of those Prime members use Luna, bet.

 

[Dick Jones]

The next bungie game will be PS and PC only. what they say now is one thing...when the time comes it will be something along the lines of "we decided it would be best to focus on one console for the optimal experience"...or "there are not enough fans on xbox to make it worth porting" . And nobody (outside of xbox only gamers) will really be bothered any more trhan they are about future square games coming to xbox. It is what it is....

If that's the case then Sony's word isn't to be trusted with regulators if they look for another acquisition. It would be stupid to lie to regulators as they are consequences to future actions.

Poor sales of Square games on Xbox is not relevant. There is no current time exclusive on the remasters of FF I to VI so that is a consequence of JRPGs doing poorly on Xbox. Maybe Xbox need to discuss with SE on how to bring them over with a discount on platform fees or pay for porting them. I couldn't see a Bungie game not doing well on Xbox.

Considering Bungie's history I'm sure they will be independent and be only bound by Sony to ensure that any future games must be at least on Playstation. I could never see them making a PC and Xbox only game. if Sony lie to Bungie the staff will go like they have done on a consistent basis. That's their culture.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

Microsoft has plants everywhere in the media whether it be Twitter or "reputable" journalists.

I'm confident they are the ones who leaked that the CMA was likely to approve this and I'm confident that they were the ones who leaked the EC was likely to approve this.

CMA has been speaking to both the FTC and the EC. That doesn't bode well for Microsoft.

I'd hazard that if the EC was going to rubber stamp this, they wouldn't need as much time as they've given this. In my mind (and I could totally be wrong) they're taking the time to write up a denial that will stand up to legal appeal.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

The next bungie game will be PS and PC only. what they say now is one thing...when the time comes it will be something along the lines of "we decided it would be best to focus on one console for the optimal experience"...or "there are not enough fans on xbox to make it worth porting" . And nobody (outside of xbox only gamers) will really be bothered any more trhan they are about future square games coming to xbox. It is what it is....

I think Sony will make any major acquisitions before they try and make Bungie games exclusive.

 

[SEGAvangelist]

Microsoft has plants everywhere in the media whether it be Twitter or "reputable" journalists.

I'm confident they are the ones who leaked that the CMA was likely to approve this and I'm confident that they were the ones who leaked the EC was likely to approve this.

CMA has been speaking to both the FTC and the EC. That doesn't bode well for Microsoft.

I'd hazard that if the EC was going to rubber stamp this, they wouldn't need as much time as they've given this. In my mind (and I could totally be wrong) they're taking the time to write up a denial that will stand up to legal appeal.

They are probably trying to find another reason to block this because the cloud one is so goofy.

 

[feynoob]

Microsoft has plants everywhere in the media whether it be Twitter or "reputable" journalists.

I'm confident they are the ones who leaked that the CMA was likely to approve this and I'm confident that they were the ones who leaked the EC was likely to approve this.

CMA has been speaking to both the FTC and the EC. That doesn't bode well for Microsoft.

I'd hazard that if the EC was going to rubber stamp this, they wouldn't need as much time as they've given this. In my mind (and I could totally be wrong) they're taking the time to write up a denial that will stand up to legal appeal.

Every big corporations have media on their pockets. Even Sony has some in Japan.
It's a great tool to maintain PR.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

They are probably trying to find another reason to block this because the cloud one is so goofy.

You might think it is goofy, but the courts won't.

Also they can still block this based on the console market. Just because the CMA removed that concern, doesn't mean that the EC has to.

Every big corporations have media on their pockets. Even Sony has some in Japan.
It's a great tool to maintain PR.

Microsoft has considerably deeper pockets. You don't see Sony getting representative and senators out there doing their dirty work.

 

[SEGAvangelist]

You might think it is goofy, but the courts won't.

Also they can still block this based on the console market. Just because the CMA removed that concern, doesn't mean that the EC has to.



Microsoft has considerably deeper pockets. You don't see Sony getting representative and senators out there doing their dirty work.

What does my comment have to do with the courts? I think they find a better reason to block it. The CMA looks ridiculous now and I assume the EC wants to save face.

 

[feynoob]

Microsoft has considerably deeper pockets. You don't see Sony getting representative and senators out there doing their dirty work.

https://www.opensecrets.org/federal-lobbying/clients/summary?cycle=2023&id=D000022261

MS just have bigger pocket, due to other sectors needing a lobbying.

these companies have people working for them on their agenda.

 

[jm89]

They are probably trying to find another reason to block this because the cloud one is so goofy.

It's only goofy if you've only read the pro acquisiton cheerleaders take on it.

 

[SEGAvangelist]

It's only goofy if you've only read the pro acquisiton cheerleaders take on it.

I can have my own opinion and state it like it's a fact just like everyone else here. Haha.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

What does my comment have to do with the courts? I think they find a better reason to block it. The CMA looks ridiculous now and I assume the EC wants to save face.

They don't look ridiculous. You've been reading/watching too much microsoft PR. EC cited cloud as a concern in their initial notice to Microsoft as well.

 

[SEGAvangelist]

They don't look ridiculous. You've been reading/watching too much microsoft PR. EC cited cloud as a concern in their initial notice to Microsoft as well.

You've been reading/watching too much Sony fan information. They actually do look ridiculous.

 

[Sony]

It's only goofy if you've only read the pro acquisiton cheerleaders take on it.

There is not a single tangible argument that can be made with regard to cloud concerns. CMA's market share calculation of xCloud is purely administrative. CMA argues that if MS were to acquire ABK, they'd have an insurmountable lead in cloud. But any other cloud provider can bundle cloud with their basic offering (Sony, Amazon) and make a big dent in the market. In other words, if Sony were to bundle cloud with PS+ essential, they'd be market leader. Which is the flaw in CMA's reasoning. They're looking at availibility not actual use.

 

[Thirty7ven]

Why is that weirdo so desperate to see this anti-consumer merger cross the finish line?

He’s on the payroll. Literally.

 

[jm89]

There is not a single tangible argument that can be made with regard to cloud concerns. CMA's market share calculation of xCloud is purely administrative. CMA argues that if MS were to acquire ABK, they'd have an insurmountable lead in cloud. But any other cloud provider can bundle cloud with their basic offering (Sony, Amazon) and make a big dent in the market. In other words, if Sony were to bundle cloud with PS+ essential, they'd be market leader. Which is the flaw in CMA's reasoning. They're looking at availibility not actual use.

Well it matters as CMA are looking to the future aswell. Combined with ms having their own infrastructure with azure which will give them an advantage, it's a rational conclusion.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

You've been reading/watching too much Sony fan information. They actually do look ridiculous.

It is the job of regulators to anticipate and protect competitiveness in future markets.

They do this all the time. You might find it ridiculous, but it's part and parcel for them.

 

[Sony]

Well it matters as CMA are looking to the future aswell. Combined with ms having their own infrastructure with azure which will give them an advantage, it's a rational conclusion.

An advantage to what exactly? PlayStation and/or Amazon can become market leaders with the flick a switch. CMA's analysis prefers access to cloud over the actual use of cloud. In other words:
- if Sony has 5000 PS+ Premium members, then
- Xbox has 10.000GPU members of which 6000 have used cloud, divided over 3000 used once and 3000 used actively, then by their calculation is Xbox is market leader in cloud, despite Playstation having 5000 active users and Xbox 3000.

So if market share because defined by access to cloud, rather than actual use, CMA is making the argument that after acquisition, access to cloud will be dominated by Microsoft. Which is factually wrong.

 

[SEGAvangelist]

It is the job of regulators to anticipate and protect competitiveness in future markets.

They do this all the time. You might find it ridiculous, but it's part and parcel for them.

Spoiler: No way. Regulators make decisions on this kind of thing?!?!?!?

It's a poor decision.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

Well it matters as CMA are looking to the future aswell. Combined with ms having their own infrastructure with azure which will give them an advantage, it's a rational conclusion.

There is not a single tangible argument that can be made with regard to cloud concerns. CMA's market share calculation of xCloud is purely administrative. CMA argues that if MS were to acquire ABK, they'd have an insurmountable lead in cloud. But any other cloud provider can bundle cloud with their basic offering (Sony, Amazon) and make a big dent in the market. In other words, if Sony were to bundle cloud with PS+ essential, they'd be market leader. Which is the flaw in CMA's reasoning. They're looking at availibility not actual use.

People continue to ignore Azure and Windows as elements of this because they're too focused on PlayStation and Xbox.

The CMA said you can't have Azure, Windows, Xbox, AND Activision Blizzard King. That's what represents a concern.

Take the console war hat off for a second and realize what an unmitigated monopoly that creates.

I wonder if anyone had issues with Nvidia buying ARM, which was absolute the right thing to stop as well. The reality is that regulators have been TOO loose with companies.

 

[Sony]

It is the job of regulators to anticipate and protect competitiveness in future markets.

They do this all the time. You might find it ridiculous, but it's part and parcel for them.

"they do this all the time"
Well if they anticipate effects in future markets all the time, you wouldn't have trouble providing a few examples right?
The reason why this ruling made such controversial headlines is because this is one of the few cases they decided to protect a future market based on self admitted speculation, which is out of the ordinary. So no, they don't do it all the time.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

Spoiler: No way. Regulators make decisions on this kind of thing?!?!?!?

It's a poor decision.

In your mind, regulators should only try to act when it's too late to act...

 

[Mibu no ookami]

"they do this all the time"
Well if they anticipate effects in future markets all the time, you wouldn't have trouble providing a few examples right?
The reason why this ruling made such controversial headlines is because this is one of the few cases they decided to protect a future market based on self admitted speculation, which is out of the ordinary. So no, they don't do it all the time.

It's making headlines because Microsoft is buying headlines.

https://www.jdsupra.com/post/fileServer.aspx?fName=884a20eb-245a-4e8e-aa0b-a5a258f6f7ae.pdf

 

[Sony]

The CMA said you can't have Azure, Windows, Xbox, AND Activision Blizzard King. That's what represents a concern.

False. CMA said that they think that Microsoft will get an insurmountable lead cloud market based on speculation of the market development in the future and a erroneous calculation of their current marketshare.

 

[kevm3]

With Sony buying up all of these exclusives and dominating over Xbox, I don't see why Sony isn't coming under more scrutiny. They bought out Stellar Blade, have Final Fantasy on exclusive and if the rumors are true, they will be getting a bunch of exclusives from Konami

In light of all of this, Microsoft 'should' be able to buy Blizzard Activision. Do I want to? Looking at the track record of their recent studies, both of those studios will probably degrade significantly and it'll take twice as long to release games.

As a videogame 'fan', it might be fun to root for your favorite console manufacturer to win, but it actually sucks when they do because that means they become more comfortable with anti-consumer practices. Remember 'always online' gaming only that Microsoft wanted? Now, look at all these Sony games selling at $70. Competition keeps prices low and it keeps companies delivering the best results to consumers.

 

[SEGAvangelist]

In your mind, regulators should only try to act when it's too late to act...

In your mind, regulators should have crystal balls that predict the future and make their decisions accordingly.

 

[Sony]

It's making headlines because Microsoft is buying headlines.

http://[URL]https://www.jdsupra.com...Name=884a20eb-245a-4e8e-aa0b-a5a258f6f7ae.pdf

[/URL]

Please give me multiple examples of regulators ruling to protect future markets, as you said they do it all the time. You'd have no trouble providing examples right?

 

[Sony]

Mibu no ookami Question for you: do you think Sony owns a monopoly in VR and shouldn't be allowed to purchase studios for VR content?

 

[bender]

Please give me multiple examples of regulators ruling to protect future markets, as you said they do it all the time. You'd have no trouble providing examples right?

Try Google Bing.

 

[Sony]

Try Google Bing.

I'm not making the presumption. Of regulators rule on future markets all the time, then it would be easy because literally every ruling would be protecting future markets. So where are the numerous examples?

 

[TheGodfather07]

Microsoft has plants everywhere in the media whether it be Twitter or "reputable" journalists.

I'm confident they are the ones who leaked that the CMA was likely to approve this and I'm confident that they were the ones who leaked the EC was likely to approve this.

CMA has been speaking to both the FTC and the EC. That doesn't bode well for Microsoft.

I'd hazard that if the EC was going to rubber stamp this, they wouldn't need as much time as they've given this. In my mind (and I could totally be wrong) they're taking the time to write up a denial that will stand up to legal appeal.

Yeah, Microsoft have shills everywhere. It's one of their tactics. Those influencers and super hardcore twitter fanboys are paid by Microsoft too. It's obvious.

 

[Bernardougf]

The next bungie game will be PS and PC only. what they say now is one thing...when the time comes it will be something along the lines of "we decided it would be best to focus on one console for the optimal experience"...or "there are not enough fans on xbox to make it worth porting" . And nobody (outside of xbox only gamers) will really be bothered any more trhan they are about future square games coming to xbox. It is what it is....

A simple "we will continue to sutudy the development of the xbox version and will comeback in the future with news"

 

[bender]

So where are the numerous examples?

Try Google Bing.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

Mibu no ookami Question for you: do you think Sony owns a monopoly in VR and shouldn't be allowed to purchase studios for VR content?

Sony isn't even the market leader in VR...

 

[Mibu no ookami]

Please give me multiple examples of regulators ruling to protect future markets, as you said they do it all the time. You'd have no trouble providing examples right?

I literally gave you a link that you just ignored.

 

[SEGAvangelist]

Yeah, Microsoft have shills everywhere. It's one of their tactics. Those influencers and super hardcore twitter fanboys are paid by Microsoft too. It's obvious.

Or you know... they actually like Xbox. Not saying shills don't exist, but those hardcore fanboys that likely annoy you are just super fans. Xbox takes advantage of them, sometimes to their own detriment, but they really are just fans.

EDIT: I've been banned from the thread. It was fun, y'all!

 

[RedC]

With Sony buying up all of these exclusives and dominating over Xbox, I don't see why Sony isn't coming under more scrutiny. They bought out Stellar Blade, have Final Fantasy on exclusive and if the rumors are true, they will be getting a bunch of exclusives from Konami

In light of all of this, Microsoft 'should' be able to buy Blizzard Activision. Do I want to? Looking at the track record of their recent studies, both of those studios will probably degrade significantly and it'll take twice as long to release games.

As a videogame 'fan', it might be fun to root for your favorite console manufacturer to win, but it actually sucks when they do because that means they become more comfortable with anti-consumer practices. Remember 'always online' gaming only that Microsoft wanted? Now, look at all these Sony games selling at $70. Competition keeps prices low and it keeps companies delivering the best results to consumers.

Funny enough, I think now that all of this has been brought up due to this merger, Sony will likely face way more scrutiny than they have in the past with studio/publisher acquisitions.

 

[Sony]

Sony isn't even the market leader in VR...

Oh but by CMA's definition, they are. CMA defined the high performance console market, which is Xbox vs. PlayStation, leaving out Nintendo. And given that Sony is the only one who offers VR hardware between Xbox and PlayStation, they have a monopoly and are market leader.