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[StreetsofBeige]

I'm with you but if after all this Microsoft comes out with ABK, I don't see how they could stop Sony or even Nintendo from buying a smaller company

unless it somehow amounts to it's okay for one of the largest companies in the world to try to buy out their competition but you smaller companies just have to suffer

Nothing will stop Nintendo or Sony buying companies. Even if one of them tried hoarding EA, Ttwo, UBI etc… it'd be allowed.

Once two big giants combine you got to let the rest combine.

In Canada, the past 10 years had massive retailer consolidation. They allowed the biggest grocer and drug store to combine. What followed was the third biggest grocer and second biggest drug to combine. And then the biggest wholesaler bought the third biggest drug chain. And before all this happened, the second and third or fourth grocers combined. So right now the top 3-4 grocery companies and 3-4 drug chains are all owned by the same handful of companies. Crazy.

 

[Toons]

The future of gaming is "You will own nothing, and you will be happy"

This is the future of the world in general. Your life will be rented.

Make no mistake, Microsoft wants a complete monopoly on game streaming. This is their ultimate goal. Unfortunately, streaming is the future.
The generation of gamers over the age of 25 is getting smaller, while the younger generation under the age of 25 is getting bigger and bigger. Gaming is getting bigger and bigger. More young people are gaming compared to older folks. This new and young generation – 25 and younger – are mostly all on board for streaming and their lives for rent.

Anywho... as I presumed... this generation would be my last of full investment. I may stream Elder Scrolls 6 when it releases in 2026 or 2027.

That's enough doom and gloom for today.

Chill out its just a game dude

 

[PatientGamer]

For the reasons explained, the Court finds the FTC has not shown a likelihood it will prevail on its claim this particular vertical merger in this specific industry may substantially lessen competition. To the contrary, the record evidence points to more consumer access to Call of Duty and other Activision content. The motion for a preliminary injunction is therefore DENIED.

So I wonder what happens if after a few years, Microsoft pulls CoD away from other platforms, which is absolutely their right to do so...

 

[Dane]

What does this mean? that tweet has the frantic energy of a chipmunk on coke.

They are willing to drop out the case and work on remedies

Tl:dr: 95% chance of being over to CMA

 

[mayham2199]

CMA is backing down. lol.....oh man.

Are they? Seems like all of them asked to pause it. Maybe MS is trying to get this settled before the 18th because it truly is dead if they dont? So they asked for a pause while they negotiate with the CMA?

 

[M16]

well that was quick

 

[aries_71]

Well... it doesn't look like GAF has a clear grasp on this process. As a reader mainly informed by what is written here, color me really surprised!

 

[adamsapple]

They are willing to drop out the case and work on remedies

Tl:dr: 95% chance of being over to CMA

We win.

Justice

 

[Toons]

I severed myself from the console war long ago but this is a very very interesting decision that will have massive repercussions

I guess I better enjoy overwatch while I still have it

 

[graywolf323]

Nothing will stop Nintendo or Sony buying companies. Even if one of them tried hoarding EA, Ttwo, UBI etc… it'd be allowed.

Once two big giants combine you got to let the rest combine.

In Canada, the past 10 years had massive retailer consolidation. They allowed the biggest grocer and drug store to combine. What followed was the third biggest grocer and second biggest drug to combine. And then the biggest wholesaler bought the third biggest drug chain. And before all this happened, the second and third or fourth grocers combined. So right now the top 3-4 grocery companies and 3-4 drug chains are all owned by the same handful of companies. Crazy.

and that's exactly why a lot of us are against MS acquiring ABK

 

[Jigsaah]

Checked on Lulu. She's fine guys. So damn fine.

 

[RedC]

What does this mean? that tweet has the frantic energy of a chipmunk on coke.

That Providence is being fulfilled.

 

[foamdino]

Bad day for gamers. This will open the floodgates for Tencent, Sony, MS, Meta, Apple etc to scoop up whoever they can get their hands on. Consolidation of the gaming industry sucks.

 

[StreetsofBeige]

They are willing to drop out the case and work on remedies

Tl:dr: 95% chance of being over to CMA

So they are caving in. So in reality, they were waiting for the USA decision. If FTC wins they hold firm. If FTc loses, they bend.

Follow the leader cowards the whole time.

 

[Kurotri]

jesus christ

I own both systems but I still don't know how to feel about this.

 

[The Alien]

Why do so many people say stuff like "Activision needs this"? No they don't.
They are selling because od the scandal which people have already forgotten and they are making crazy money from sales.
Microsoft is the only one who needs this, and the GP lovers.

If theybwanted Kotick out, theyd have voted him out when the scandal first popped up. But, while a prick, he is a cunning businessman and hes good at lining pockets with money.

Technically Activision selling because Microsoft offered their PUBLIC shareholders a shit ton of money per share. Their shareholders wanted that sweet sweet MS money.

 

[boblob]

So I wonder what happens if after a few years, Microsoft pulls CoD away from other platforms, which is absolutely their right to do so...

It's their right to, but they'd be stupid to do it. Why do you think Minecraft is still getting new releases on every console ever? COD will be for the same reasons.

 

[thicc_girls_are_teh_best]

I'd rather nobody buy's anybody else.

After this regulatory shit-show I'd like to think all the majory players will think twice before attempting to purchase another large publisher, but who am I kidding?

Sadly that isn't going to happen, and in this case it's rather unique because we know Microsoft's intentions (their real intentions) with these acquisitions are specifically targeted at pushing PlayStation out of the market. Not even by offering a product that end customers find more attractive or by offering better solutions to 3P devs and pubs who can independently make the choice in which platforms to support on their own freely.

No. By simply acquiring those same 3P devs and pubs, and cutting the more successful direct competitors off from them in having any ability to negotiate or do business with those 3P in an independent state. That's a very specific intent to the strategy that doesn't come from wanting to just "compete" and offer something better to the market, but rather comes from a position of envy and wanting to get rid of something that has constantly reminded you of how inferior you are in the same space, due to your own lack of performance.

So if I were on the receiving end of such a strategy, damn straight I would make a move or two in order to knock that off. This other dude doesn't simply want to compete with me, they want to kill me. There's a massive difference.

 

[SlimySnake]

New Switch is likely coming first half next year and they can easily port to it. I think that's what they're thinking anyway, they just can't say Switch 2 cause it's not announced yet and therefore play act like it can run on Switch 1.

And by the time the next switch comes out, they will be making next gen cods and it will be a gen behind the PS5 and XSX just like the switch was to PS4 and X1.

Hell, bobby himself said that the next switch is on par with the x1. how is it going to run next gen games? Especially when next gen games on PS5 and XSX are running like shit if you look at star wars and ff16. how do you port ff16 to a 1.5 tflops switch?

The matrix demo was dropping significantly below 533p on the 4 tflops xss according to DF. And it actually has a fairly decent CPU and ssd compared to whatever nintendo might be able to stick in the next switch. are we looking at 240p games? Is anyone even going to bother? especially when they didnt last gen?

 

[Topher]

Well.....I'll say exactly what I said the last time I was convinced this was over.

Congrats to all those who wanted this to go through. Your side won.

 

[MagnesD3]

Chill out its just a game dude

I mean for the average person who doesnt care sure, for some this artform is special to them and helps make the world a far more interesting place.

 

[adamsapple]

Well.....I'll say exactly what I said the last time I was convinced this was over.

Congrats to all those who wanted this to go through. Your side won.

I'll see you in the Game Pass CoD lobby, Topher.

 

[StreetsofBeige]

Activision stock up $8 to $91! Only $4 off now from the buyout price

 

[Solidus_T]

Get ready for gaming to all be bought up by Microsoft and then made exclusive to Xbox.

 

[gothmog]

Interested to see what the CMA gets out of this. Obviously the money talked.

 

[Robb]

This is going to become really interesting. Anyone is basically up for grabs now.

Anyway, looking forward to a tsunami of ActiBlizz games on GamePass.

 

[Vlodril]

I'd rather nobody buy's anybody else.

After this regulatory shit-show I'd like to think all the majory players will think twice before attempting to purchase another large publisher, but who am I kidding?

Still no one has said how the hell this deal will close without cma but if it does (and probably if it doesn't) the cat is out of the bag. There is going to be a race to consolidate everything under the sun.

 

[Ass of Can Whooping]

I have to send death threats to the CMA now too?

 

[Heisenberg007]

The CMA gave in? That's a really bad outlook.

I know people won't think about it this way and would rather celebrate the CMA backing down, but this is absolutely horrible. One big corporation arm-twisting a regulatory body into accepting its demands.

This is not how civilized societies should work.

 

[NickFire]

I expected them to already have an angle with CMA if they were bothering to fight the FTC. Certainly did not expect it would be basically confirmed within an hour of the denial though.

Cash is still king I guess.

 

[FF:Enhanced_Reality]

I fucking hate this industry at times. This is the beginning of a huge change in the video game world. It sets a sad presedence but it is what it is.

This court case has been completely botched by the FTC who weren't ready or prepared and the listening/watching showed that.

Let's see who they buy next. Because this is the plan.

 

[xHunter]

Well atleast i will be playing Diablo 4 in a week for free i guess.

 

[Jigsaah]

So they are caving in. So in reality, they were waiting for the USA decision. If FTC wins they hold firm. If FTc loses, they bend.

Follow the leader cowards the whole time.

Wow, that was fast...

Anybody wanna play dominos?

 

[Varteras]

A very unexpected turn of events. Like I said before, make no bets. This shit has been a rollercoaster.

 

[StealthGoblin]

Well that's gaming as we know it fucked. Unless the CMA stopped the whole thing, this is going to become a consolidation frenzy.

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

Just hope that this deal won't lessen competition in the console market in the long run. Having less players in the market will lead to less choice and worse offerings.

 

[Topher]

Well atleast i will be playing Diablo 4 in a week for free i guess.

Ybarra said that ain't happening.

 

[Gudji]

I wonder what's the next publisher MS is going to get.

 

[Solidus_T]

Well atleast i will be playing Diablo 4 in a week for free i guess.

Why do people say this? There is nothing you are getting for free.

 

[X-Wing]

What does this mean? that tweet has the frantic energy of a chipmunk on coke.

This.

 

[TLZ]

I have to send death threats to the CMA now too?

Time to change that avatar.

 

[StreetsofBeige]

Ybarra said that ain't happening.

I miss out regardless. Already bought it!

 

[Chukhopops]

Well that means no nuclear option but maybe some additional compromises specifically for UK.

 

[Jigsaah]

Just hope that this deal won't lessen competition on the console market in the long run. Having less players in the market will lead to less choice and worse offerings.

If this kinda thing continues, it will.

Let's just hope this whole ordeal is a lesson to both Sony and Microsoft to chill the fuck out.

 

[thicc_girls_are_teh_best]

Well.....I'll say exactly what I said the last time I was convinced this was over.

Congrats to all those who wanted this to go through. Your side won.

What have they really won though outside of "free" games in a rising-cost subscription service, that they could've purchased on sale anyway? Or that MS themselves could've made deals with for "Day 1" into the service without needing to buy the company?

My gut feeling? Microsoft are going to crush themselves under the weight of managing XGS, Zenimax and ABK simultaneously. They could barely manage XGS teams and now they think they can successfully manage, reform, and grow two of the biggest publishers in gaming? That's an ego-trip.

 

[DeepEnigma]

The CMA gave in? That's a really bad outlook.

I know people won't think about it this way and would rather celebrate the CMA backing down, but this is absolutely horrible. One big corporation arm-twisting a regulatory body into accepting its demands.

This is not how civilized societies should work.

Owning Giphy was a greater threat to consumer society.

 

[Toons]

I mean for the average person who doesnt care sure, for some this artform is special to them and helps make the world a far more interesting place.

Games aren't going anywhere and neither is gaming

Streaming was an inevitable eventuality of technological investment and its platform as it exists is beholden to current capitalist interests, which are nothing if not mercurial.

Gamers will survive.

 

[Solidus_T]

I wonder what's the next publisher MS is going to get.

Since ABK is the largest of them all, basically everything. They can literally buy the entire market and force everyone out.

 

[EddieVanHelgen]

Wow. I didn't expect to see the CMA crumble so quickly. "it's in" now in terms of this going through.

 

[graywolf323]

It's their right to, but they'd be stupid to do it. Why do you think Minecraft is still getting new releases on every console ever? COD will be for the same reasons.

we know Minecraft does because Phil and the gang haven't figured out how to get around Notch's requirement for it to be multi platform from when they purchased Mojang

it has nothing to do with them wanting money, it was all revealed in the trial so please stop pushing the "they'll handle it like Minecraft" BS because we all know they'll actually handle it like they did Zenimax