Thirty7ven
Banned
If MS gets ABK the second half of this generation will be the most important time in the history of PlayStation. I don't think Sony is ready.
Microsoft / Activision Deal Approval Watch |OT| (MS/ABK close)
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SuperSaiyanWithDreads
Banned
How, when I got all 3? It's a FACT if/when Xbox acquires Activision they grow bigger financially and ecosystem wise FACT. It's a fact Sony will be more competitive and in the end will provide more bangers from more studios FACTS. Now get out your feelings.
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TrueGrime
Member
As someone who owns both as well, plus a Switch, I guess I'm a fucking weird one. I'm pro-acquisition, but I'm not for taking away games that were going to be multiplat. Why waste that income if you're a company like MS? Putting it on GP should be enough. I'm fine with appeal processes, but I'm not fine with MS trying to push this farther and circumvent the CMA. If they want this deal to close that badly then fuck around and find out. Meta was a cautionary tale for these huge corporations and even that deal was a merger for just millions and not billions.
As for the FTC, maybe this one is on them. They just seem unprepared, but has had plenty of time to get their shit together like other regulators around the world. Maybe I'm wrong, but I feel for a lot of cases they just try to push back at last minute and wind up scrambling.
If that happens, then You don't need to worry about Sony Group, as they'll receive 60-70B$ from Apple or Amazon (Maybe tencent) for their eventual acquisition of Sony Interactive Entertainment aka Playstation division
splattered
Member
tiny fingers?
Raven77
Member
Every day we are one day closer to this deal happening.
Microsoft strategy has been laid bare this past week. They are positioning themselves as a dying brand and trailing third place in the highly competitive console market. The ironic part is that it's probably true, considering how mismanaged their first parties have been.
This is going to be leveraged with tremendous effect to get this approved by the necessary parties, over the next 1-2 years.
Microsoft recently said that the Xbox series x is their mid-genery fresh. The reason they would say this is obvious. You can now state that they're not even competing with Sony as they have not released their equivalent generation of console.
Microsoft strategy has been laid bare this past week. They are positioning themselves as a dying brand and trailing third place in the highly competitive console market. The ironic part is that it's probably true, considering how mismanaged their first parties have been.
This is going to be leveraged with tremendous effect to get this approved by the necessary parties, over the next 1-2 years.
Microsoft recently said that the Xbox series x is their mid-genery fresh. The reason they would say this is obvious. You can now state that they're not even competing with Sony as they have not released their equivalent generation of console.
DeepEnigma
Gold Member
adamsapple
Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
The dream is dead, looks like that Jim deposition will be sealed and not made public.
or at least that's what it reads like to me.
via Totilo's twitter.
or at least that's what it reads like to me.
via Totilo's twitter.
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Topher
Identifies as young
I hate it but many of us called this last year. We said the FTC would be nothing more than a speed bump. Fact of the matter is the best lawyers in litigation don't go to work for the government. They work for law firms who are hired by companies like Microsoft. It is what it is.
Dick Jones
Banned
Only FTC, Microsoft and Google embarrassing themselves. I wonder will Nadella get the Ryan treatment?The dream is dead, looks like that Jim deposition will be sealed and not made public.
via Totilo's twitter.
adamsapple
Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
MasterCornholio
Member
Maybe go to a circus for them?
splattered
Member
Nadella doesn't seem to shy away from things... i have a feeling we will see him testify
splattered
Member
Calverz
Member
Damn that would be a shame. I was looking forward to what he had to say on it.The dream is dead, looks like that Jim deposition will be sealed and not made public.
or at least that's what it reads like to me.
via Totilo's twitter.
Varteras
Gold Member
Sony is working on spinning off its financial arm within the next couple years, precisely to fuel their ability to invest by concentrating their resources into fewer markets, allowing more cash fluidity, and getting a significant cash injection from the spin-off. Which could potentially be around $10 billion. Though that's just speculation I've heard. It could be more or less. But it is expected to be substantial.
They made it clear, and even said so, that they see what's happening and they won't be left behind. This was said even at a time when it looks like ABK won't be sold. They pointed out the need to grow in entertainment and image sensors. They have increasingly shown that they believe their future is in entertainment, to which PlayStation is their big moneymaker. They already have around $15 billion in cash as it is. Plus the option of stock swaps and loans. Which, contrary to some mistaken beliefs around here, Sony actually could get quite significant amounts of. If it was their only option left. The question is just how much debt they want.
They're not selling off PlayStation, either. As I said, it is the future of their company. Sony is gearing up to be able to make a big push. Even if ABK doesn't close, I don't see them waiting to see what competitors do next. Because they will have either dodged a bullet or taken a nasty hit from it. Either way, that shot was fired. What their future moves look like, though, that is completely up for debate.
adamsapple
Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
Yes, based on that docket image last page, he will be testifying in court.
So will Kotik but Kotik doesn't seem to have a lot of time.
It seems Phil got the longest time on the stand, the next longest will be the FTC's Harvard guy witness.
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MasterCornholio
Member
And what do you call this place?
Your home.
Dick Jones
Banned
I meant will it be in-camera?
adamsapple
Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
Audio like all the others we've had so far. To the best of my understanding, I have not read anywhere that Satya will get different treatment.
CoreyFlawless
Member
Say it pass in the ftc. Deal still really can't go thru cause of the cma tho right?
HoldTheAir
Member
You made a funny!
TrueGrime
Member
Sony doesn't shy away from acquisitions at all. I like how you brought up Sony as a company and not just having your goggles fixed on SIE. Sony as a company has made 31 (according to wiki) acquisitions since 2020. Music, games, and pictures. I think they have entertainment on a lock and will most definitely be hungry for more.
reinking
Gold Member
I too have all three but guess what? Not everybody does. You seem to think BIGGER = BETTER. Good luck with that.
PaintTinJr
Member
In that scenario my "crystal ball" predicts a PS5 Pro to prolong the generation, with the Pro effectively being double or triple a PS5 so 20TF-30TF, and 40-60 RPM TF.
They'd then use the CoD marketing deal years to get the game maxed out on the Pro- even at the expense of the PS - so that even when the deal ended Series X would look like a PS5 downgrade to the Pro and Microsoft would be out of position to deliver a X Pro - taking 3years and probably worse than the PS5 Pro and not profitable or widely popular- and with the generation extended making it harder for Sony to justify a PS6, Xbox would be really struggling to release a XsX2 that bettered the PS5 Pro, meaning the market share would extend further for years, and PlayStation's attempts to replace CoD by hitting new heights on the Pro and PC graphically with substitute game would damage CoD, even if it didn't necessarily result in them having a replacement.
TrueGrime
Member
If MS gets by the FTC, the next hurdle is the CAT appeal, which still means nothing if the CMA isn't swayed. If the CAT sides with MS on the appeal, the case goes back to the CMA. CMA can dig their heels in even more and simply say no to the deal.. again. If the CAT sides with the CMA then we miss out on more months of drama and the deal is dead officially.
ToadMan
Member
CAT doesn't start until end of July now. 28th I think.
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FoxMcChief
Gold Member
I literally did the Kevin snicker after reading that.
CoreyFlawless
Member
But isn't the cat like after the dead line tho? Like idk if they can extend it or not? U believe that the court should have everything done before the expiration date of the deal. So do ms say screw it and close it and deal with the cat and cma later and find out what happens after ?
Unknown Soldier
Member
I can't imagine a situation where you can be "ready" for a company worth $2.6 trillion deciding they are going to buy the entire industry just to crush you.
Sony can become "ready" by shopping themselves to Apple, Google, or Amazon. One of these companies would likely be willing to acquire them out of bankruptcy after MS has destroyed them.
Loxus
Member
Well they already started investing in image sensors.
So I would believe the Financial spinoff is for Entertainment. Most likely PlayStation.
Dick Jones
Banned
I don't know if you picked me up wrong, but I meant will the audio feed be cut off to us. In camera is Latin for in chambers (held in private). No public access to the testimony for senstive reasons, like trade secrets or family. Just like Ryan's and like the figures person for Microsoft, it will be heard by both sides and the judge only.
adamsapple
Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
Oh sorry, your guess is as good as mine.
Dick Jones
Banned
Ugh. Imagine if all three entered the market. All it takes is a well placed shopping spree and you'd have a great chunk of rhe market. Tencent could be master cunts if they make their console and corral their investments too.
Main part of the reason I want this acquisition to fail is the other behemoths can spend over 100 bn without breaking a sweat and regulators wouldn't be able to lay a glove on them. I think the current oligopoly is better than the introduction of more disruptive sharks.
Varteras
Gold Member
Thing with Sony and acquisitions is that they are typically reactionary. Over 30 years, Sony has acquired 20 studios for PlayStation. Of those, 9 have happened over the last 2 years. Almost half the companies they ever bought to stick into their PlayStation business. What happened? Microsoft bought Zenimax, right after buying 6 developers. Then they announced their intent to buy Activision. Which, I assure you, accelerated whatever talks they were in. I doubt it's a coincidence that Haven, Savage, and Firewalk haven't even released a game yet and Sony bought them after that announcement.
What I'm honestly dreading seeing, because I have a bad feeling it's going to happen, is Sony going ham and making sure to grab as much as they can. Companies you never thought they'd actually go for. In an attempt to, as much as possible, protect their revenue stream and give them access to more IP to fuel their pictures and music divisions. I'm pretty sure Microsoft, at the very least, seriously spooked them into nailing boards to the doors and windows. Time well tell, but I think a consequence of this deal, whether it goes through or not, is going to be more aggressive consolidation.
SuperSaiyanWithDreads
Banned
You seem to think BIGGER=WORST. Good luck with that negative mindset
SuperSaiyanWithDreads
Banned
Yeah post a meme because you can't respond accordingly and cannot think for yourself
Topher
Identifies as young
You seem to think BIGGER=WORST. Good luck with that negative mindset
Typically it is. Activision and Blizzard were both better as separate companies, for example. Maybe not better for stockholders, but definitely better for gamers.
Just as easy to point to consolidation as "negative mindset" you know.
Varteras
Gold Member
As a long time fan of Blizzard, watching their painful decline post-merger and the constant stories of Activision executive interference and influence in their operations, I can say that I despise the day Blizzard made that choice. I'm sure Mike Morhaime, the most well-known of the founders and the face of the company for ages, didn't leave Blizzard to go form a whole new big company because he was happy with how things went. Enough has been said from former devs there for how bad the company became after they were fused to Kotick's company.
Astray
Member
In my entire consumer life, I have never seen a merger deliver anything meaningful to consumers. It's all about executives reaching their shareholder goals and getting bonuses.
At very best, things stay the way they are.
ToadMan
Member
If MS were to close the acquisition in the USA prior to the CAT hearing I'm not sure the CAT hearing would go ahead.
At that time MS would have specifically broken UK law … Difficult for MS to go to that tribunal having shown disregard for the law, and the CMA - CAT process.
Probably the next thing that would happen is the CMA taking MS to court in the UK - not about the acquisition itself, but about the very obvious legal transgression.
Personally I think MS will just wait it out and hope to take a federal court ruling in their favor to CAT and try to expedite the process.
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DarkBatman
SBI’s Employee of the Year
Would that work? Couldn't MS have already done this with the approval of the EU or other countries? Or does CAT have a special bond with the US, so decisions there play any role in expediting the process?
In return, the CMA could extract some findings from the current proceedings that speak against MS, if that's the case, couldn't it?
ToadMan
Member
The CAT has already been expediting things at MS request - it's not because of the US decision, it's because MS is making a big song and dance about July 18. Originally the CMA side wanted the CAT in September.
So MS will hope for an early CAT decision to kick it back to the CMA and then see how little they can get away with to get over the line.
harry mason 1989
Banned
The people who say ms will leave uk are insane to be honest
Do you guys know that Ms are still doing business in Russia despite all the western sanction
I really don't think they will abandon the uk market
Do you guys know that Ms are still doing business in Russia despite all the western sanction
I really don't think they will abandon the uk market
Topher
Identifies as young
I remember growing up with PC gaming in the 80s and the names "Activision" and "Electronic Arts" meant games that were high quality. But then they grew and acquired, consolidated, etc. No one will convince me those companies today are better at what they do than 20+ years ago.
CoreyFlawless
Member
Wouldn't that be with Activision agreeing to an extension first? Who would say they would go with the sale this time. Wish stuff like this can go back much faster. Whole year just takes forever
demigod
Member
So all the chatter around 'CoD is the same as Minecraft' chatter from plebs like @DarkMage619 - they don't even want to ship Minecraft games on PlayStation
Bumblebeetuna
splattered
where y'all hiding?
Iced Arcade
Member
How though?
I mean if contracts hold true, Those (COD) important titles will remain on PS just as it is now.
I don't believe much that comes from Spencer mouth but those behavioral remedies kinda cements it.
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