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[PaintTinJr]

I wouldn't be so confident, the CMA aren't ones to be bought so the deal offered by MS would have to be really good/different for them to change their minds.

With no news from the CMA about the console SLC being reinstated after the Booty email and admission that losing 10m starfield sales on PS5 to make it exclusive,, at a cost of 70% of $0.25b-0.5b - along with the 40% (market split) of total sales on Series being heavily eroded by day 1 gamepass - meaning the game would be lucky to breakeven with development and marketing costs isn't enough for the CMA, then I've sadly lost all faith in them.

It looks like a duck, walks like a duck, talks like a duck and for purpose of the CMA's low burden of proof is definitely a duck, but despite gamers from day 1 knowing this was anti-competitive even the mighty CMA can't seem to call it out, and then fight the argument on its merits, and instead are letting the only SLC they blocked on, get subverted by a "small divesture" that does nothing to stop Microsoft wielding the partial foreclosure power of CoD i n10years.

 

[Hero of Spielberg]

I think the CAT judge is hearing appeals from Apple and Google right now.

Friendship with CMA is over? CAT judge is new best friend?

 

[PaintTinJr]

Friendship with CMA is over? CAT judge is new best friend?

I'm sure you would like to put it that way, but on this side of the pond a lot of people still expect those in non-partisan government roles to do their jobs correctly, and give them the professional respect for it, not "friendship".

 

[Hero of Spielberg]

I'm sure you would like to put it that way, but on this side of the pond a lot of people still expect those in non-partisan government roles to do their jobs correctly, and give them the professional respect for it, not "friendship".

They're doing their job correctly now. What they were doing before was what led to a lack of 'professional respect'

 

[bitbydeath]

With no news from the CMA about the console SLC being reinstated after the Booty email and admission that losing 10m starfield sales on PS5 to make it exclusive,, at a cost of 70% of $0.25b-0.5b - along with the 40% (market split) of total sales on Series being heavily eroded by day 1 gamepass - meaning the game would be lucky to breakeven with development and marketing costs isn't enough for the CMA, then I've sadly lost all faith in them.

It looks like a duck, walks like a duck, talks like a duck and for purpose of the CMA's low burden of proof is definitely a duck, but despite gamers from day 1 knowing this was anti-competitive even the mighty CMA can't seem to call it out, and then fight the argument on its merits, and instead are letting the only SLC they blocked on, get subverted by a "small divesture" that does nothing to stop Microsoft wielding the partial foreclosure power of CoD i n10years.

Depends what the small divestiture is, they might be planning to divest the COD IP, but keep all the staff and then make "COD" under a different name.

 

[Ginzeen]

I wouldn't be so confident, the CMA aren't ones to be bought so the deal offered by MS would have to be really good/different for them to change their minds.

Nah im very confident because of the evidence. The odds of this failing is low. You'll see

 

[PaintTinJr]

They're doing their job correctly now. What they were doing before was what led to a lack of 'professional respect'

That is Florian levels of thinking.

I'm guessing you didn't read about this deal on GAF until after regulators got involved because the common narrative was that it would go exclusive.

 

[Hero of Spielberg]

That is Florian levels of thinking.

I'm guessing you didn't read about this deal on GAF until after regulators got involved because the common narrative was that it would go exclusive.

Not sure what you're getting at here

 

[bitbydeath]

Nah im very confident because of the evidence. The odds of this failing is low. You'll see

I've seen you flip-flop many times already. It all comes down to what the new deal entails. It does look like it will all be over one way or the other next month.

 

[Ginzeen]

I've seen you flip-flop many times already. It all comes down to what the new deal entails. It does look like it will all be over one way or the other next month.

Nah I'm standing on this. No backing down. Plenty of evidence of the cma clearing.

 

[PaintTinJr]

Nah I'm standing on this. No backing down. Plenty of evidence of the cma clearing.

Being a bit pedantic about it - even though I believe they have sided with the deal - but what evidence?

That's a bit of a catch22 if there is evidence because it would make it easy for a 3rd party challenge because the evidence would show the CMA had decided without going through the process - which is evidence of them failing in their duty to follow the legislation, which is illegal for them. So I very much doubt there is evidence like you claim, and it is just you reading the situation.

 

[HoofHearted]

It is all still factually true, rather than based on people's memory until now, but I agree it is redundant info because the judge was given satisfaction behind close doors - no pun intended - meaning that the order summary was all that remains that didn't hit the cutting room floor, and without coverage of him reasoning what he received to agree to cancelling of the judicial review appeal, we have no read on where things stand, other than it looks like the CMA are fully bent over to ignore the three SLCs that arise from Microsoft gaining ownership of Activison/CoD.

 

[Ginzeen]

Being a bit pedantic about it - even though I believe they have sided with the deal - but what evidence?

That's a bit of a catch22 if there is evidence because it would make it easy for a 3rd party challenge because the evidence would show the CMA had decided without going through the process - which is evidence of them failing in their duty to follow the legislation, which is illegal for them. So I very much doubt there is evidence like you claim, and it is just you reading the situation.

Bloomberg, CNBC saying it's very likely a cloud divesture, Sarah saying they also need to consider the global picture or something along the lines during a interview, During the CAT, CMA and MS were fighting hard to get the CAT to pause the appeal, also said their confident they can work out a deal. UK being the only block etc. I already know you' re going down with your ship. You were really the only one saying the CAT judge had a good chance of not pausing the appeal, when in reality it was far fetched. Same thing here with the UK blocking again. Possible but far fetched

 

[HoofHearted]

The summary is that MS have offered a new deal to the CMA, if found similar to the old they will prohibit it by the end of August and the deal would be dead. CMA have only gotten involved again because they had too, not because they want too.

It could go either way, depending on what the new deal entails.

Why, exactly, did they "have" to?

I really don't understand this recent line of reasoning…

if the CMA were so confident in their original ruling to block regarding cloud concerns… then why agree to stop the process?

Why not just stand by their block and finish the appeal process?

 

[gametimedecision]

I've seen you flip-flop many times already. It all comes down to what the new deal entails. It does look like it will all be over one way or the other next month.

We have known about all of this for so long now, you waltzed into the thread, repeated some old information for cope, realized you were wrong, and then came to the conclusion of "it will all be over one way or the other next month" which was already what we all knew….what a pointless comment chain

 

[Hero of Spielberg]

Why, exactly, did they "have" to?

I really don't understand this recent line of reasoning…

if the CMA were so confident in their original ruling to block regarding cloud concerns… then why agree to stop the process?

Why not just stand by their block and finish the appeal process?

They even say in the hearing that the reason for the joint request for stay of appeal is that they're confident a restructure can address their concerns, which is part of the 'satisfaction' the judge was seeking

 

[PaintTinJr]

Bloomberg, CNBC saying it's very likely a cloud divesture, Sarah saying they also need to consider the global picture or something along the lines during a interview, During the CAT, CMA and MS were fighting hard to get the CAT to pause the appeal, also said their confident they can work out a deal. UK being the only block etc. I already know you' re going down with your ship. You were really the only one saying the CAT judge had a good chance of not pausing the appeal, when in reality it was far fetched. Same thing here with the UK blocking again. Possible but far fetched

I believe I said he wasn't going to get the evidence from people like Prevett at the CMA and from Microsoft on why Sony signed a deal, and evidence showing they weren't influence by 'being the only regulator blocking when the FTC lost' etc for the judge to get the satisfaction he made a condition of the order.

Obviously, nothing you listed there is actual "evidence", and is all just reading the room on hearsay, which is exactly what I thought you meant by "evidence".

 

[PaintTinJr]

Why, exactly, did they "have" to?

I really don't understand this recent line of reasoning…

if the CMA were so confident in their original ruling to block regarding cloud concerns… then why agree to stop the process?

Why not just stand by their block and finish the appeal process?

They can't do that, because it shows they pre-emptively decided against the deal with prejudice to refuse - which in iteself would be grounds for a judicial review appeal - to not try to let the merger find a solution that met their concerns.

They are supposed to be impartial acting on the behalf of consumers and the market. Any form of "prejudice" fails their remit.

 

[Hero of Spielberg]

They can't do that, because it shows they pre-emptively decided against the deal with prejudice to refuse - which in iteself would be grounds for a judicial review appeal - to not try to let the merger find a solution that met their concerns.

They are supposed to be impartial acting on the behalf of consumers and the market. Any form of "prejudice" fails their remit.

Amazing levels of cognitive dissonance on display here

 

[PaintTinJr]

Amazing levels of cognitive dissonance on display here

Rubbish, you clearly don't acknowledge the process of the CMA and CAT if you disagree.

 

[HoofHearted]

They can't do that, because it shows they pre-emptively decided against the deal with prejudice to refuse - which in iteself would be grounds for a judicial review appeal - to not try to let the merger find a solution that met their concerns.

They are supposed to be impartial acting on the behalf of consumers and the market. Any form of "prejudice" fails their remit.

If the basis for their ruling is supported legally (as you've pointed out numerous times here in this thread) in the UK - what does it matter?

Up until the weekend that FTC lost their appeal, and Sony signed the deal - CMA had blocked (and many here noted that CMA would hold the block and wouldn't reverse).

The fact that they reversed course, sought (and obtained) approval to pause to finalize adjournment, and are now working collaboratively with MS to approve the deal actually indicates that their initial ruling was already suspect in nature and "pre-emptively" decided...

Clearly - CMA *changed* their stance and decided to pull back on their ruling for whatever reason.

They didn't "have" to, however - they chose to do so..

 

[Hero of Spielberg]

Rubbish, you clearly don't acknowledge the process of the CMA and CAT if you disagree.

No, I agree entirely… which is the exact point

 

[Ginzeen]

I believe I said he wasn't going to get the evidence from people like Prevett at the CMA and from Microsoft on why Sony signed a deal, and evidence showing they weren't influence by 'being the only regulator blocking when the FTC lost' etc for the judge to get the satisfaction he made a condition of the order.

Obviously, nothing you listed there is actual "evidence", and is all just reading the room on hearsay, which is exactly what I thought you meant by "evidence".

It's evidence, just not hard evidence. Its circumstantial evidence. Deal has a 90 percent chance of closing. You've been wrong pretty often in this thread. You're going down with your ship.

 

[PaintTinJr]

If their basis for their ruling is supported legally (as you've pointed out numerous times here in this thread) in the UK - what does it matter?

Up until the weekend that FTC lost their appeal, and Sony signed the deal - CMA had blocked (and many here noted that CMA would hold the block and wouldn't reverse).

The fact that they reversed course, sought (and obtained) approval to pause to finalize adjournment, and now working collaboratively with MS to approve the deal actually indicates that their initial ruling was already suspect in nature and "pre-emptively" decided...

Clearly - CMA *changed* their stance and decided to pull back on their ruling for whatever reason.

They didn't "have" to, however - they chose to do so..

Actually go and read the document of that CMC, where the judge gave them the option to strike their own report, and they couldn't do that, as they had no evidence to support that the new offer, and repeatedly told the judge they couldn't prejudge what they would receive.

It is all in the CMC transcription how they walked a fine line to not undermine their existing report, but still remain willing to analyse the new offer and treat it as a substantially different merger.

You are factually inferring one thing from the other - even if it would be true, which I think it is - there is no evidence to support a change of heart or decision to abandon the previous report - which will have to come later, if what you believe is correct.

 

[bitbydeath]

Why, exactly, did they "have" to?

I really don't understand this recent line of reasoning…

if the CMA were so confident in their original ruling to block regarding cloud concerns… then why agree to stop the process?

Why not just stand by their block and finish the appeal process?

Here's what triggered CMA's re-involvement.

 

[bitbydeath]

We have known about all of this for so long now, you waltzed into the thread, repeated some old information for cope, realized you were wrong, and then came to the conclusion of "it will all be over one way or the other next month" which was already what we all knew….what a pointless comment chain

This 'old' information clearly wasn't known to everyone, and you mentioning cope means you don't even understand what's going on.

 

[MarkMe2525]

Nah.....we've had some good discussions/debates the last few months. Now its just descending into petty bickering and warring.

Your mom

 

[Varteras]

Nah.....we've had some good discussions/debates the last few months. Now its just descending into petty bickering and warring.

 

[The Pleasure]

 

[Negotiator101]

It's evidence, just not hard evidence. Its circumstantial evidence. Deal has a 90 percent chance of closing. You've been wrong pretty often in this thread. You're going down with your ship.

Pretty often, that's an understatement

 

[HoofHearted]

Actually go and read the document of that CMC, where the judge gave them the option to strike their own report, and they couldn't do that, as they had no evidence to support that the new offer, and repeatedly told the judge they couldn't prejudge what they would receive.

It is all in the CMC transcription how they walked a fine line to not undermine their existing report, but still remain willing to analyse the new offer and treat it as a substantially different merger.

You are factually inferring one thing from the other - even if it would be true, which I think it is - there is no evidence to support a change of heart or decision to abandon the previous report - which will have to come later, if what you believe is correct.

I have - and you have just confirmed my point…

The only alternative exception here that the CMA had is the other obvious solution that the judge drove towards… strike the report and simply let the deal move forward.

The judge was pretty angry at both parties but his focus was primarily on the CMA and he was clearly sending a message to them to get their act together…

That "fine line" you're referring to is now all about affording the CMA the opportunity to save face and work out a deal to be approved…

It will be very interesting to see what deal is ultimately worked out and how CMA reacts to future M&As with a wide reaching, global scale moving forward…

 

[Topher]

Your mom

 

[HoofHearted]

 

[Topher]

lol....waiting impatiently for actual news to discuss....

 

[adamsapple]

SDCC 2023 Hasbro Show Floor Q&A – Legacy, Studio Series, Video Games, More!

SDCC 2023 may be over, but we have another special piece of news to share. Like last year, along with the Q&A held at the panel, we were able to ask Hasbro some additional questions on the show floor, going over a variety of different topics including Legacy, Studio Series, video games and more...

news.tfw2005.com

This is a bit of a weirdly bummer news. Apparently Hasbro does not know where the older Transformer game (codes?) are in case anyone wants a re-release post acquisition.

Q: Possible to re-release the Activision TF games to coincide with Gamer Edition?

A: Sadly, apparently Activision's not sure what hard drives they're on in their building. When a company eats a company that eats a company things get lost, and that's very frustrating. Hope is that now that the deal is moving forward with Microsoft and Xbox that they'll go through all of the archives and every hard drive to find it all, because it's an easy Game Pass add. We want those games back up for people to have a chance to play.

 

[Varteras]

I assure you, that was done with love

 

[PaintTinJr]

I have - and you have just confirmed my point…

The only alternative exception here that the CMA had is the other obvious solution that the judge drove towards… strike the report and simply let the deal move forward.

The judge was pretty angry at both parties but his focus was primarily on the CMA and he was clearly sending a message to them to get their act together…

That "fine line" you're referring to is now all about affording the CMA the opportunity to save face and work out a deal to be approved…

It will be very interesting to see what deal is ultimately worked out and how CMA reacts to future M&As with a wide reaching, global scale moving forward…

I believe the outcome is sadly going the way most people are now seeing it, but I still think you are conflating and jumping to conclusions, purely because there was a far more obvious choice that you originally suggested, and that was for the CMA to be prejudice to any further proposal and therefore pre-judge what Microsoft would offer.

The underlying problem with that strategy is that a judge gets to make the determination of if the CMA acted in the market's best interest - and followed the legislation - when Microsoft ultimately appeal a decision on those grounds.

This judge would have happily ruled in the CMA's favour saying the verbal offer amounts to the same merger and isn't significantly different IMO, but it is an unnecessary risk to the tax payer for extending the CMA involvement in the merger throughout a lengthy appeal and a risk to the CMA reputation in the event a CAT judge calls them on the prejudice and finds in the merging buyer's favour.

Listening to a new merger and cancelling the judicial review that the CMA couldn't get ideal council for in that time-frame - when Microsoft are already tapping up former CMA staff -seems quite logical and is still the cheapest and quickest route to block or approve the deal IMO.

In one form or another the result of this merger will now (probably) be decided without the CMA having to defend a JR appeal against the 2nd largest company in the world by market cap - because of the extension time lines - worst case they might have to fight a JR appeal against a third party like Sony or Google.

 

[adamsapple]

Some interesting news from the EC summary per idas.



Microsoft's top ten game franchises by revenue (2021) across all platforms, including console, include... (page 68) | From top to bottom, seeing how they are mentioned

- Minecraft
- Forza
- Elder Scrolls
- Halo
- Fallout
- Sea of Thieves
- Doom
- Flight Simulator
- Deathloop

 

[RickMasters]

There's not a single chance Activision makes sense as a $70B aquisition if they aren't firing CoD on all cylinders.

Ya'll wanted Activision, Ya'll are getting it. It's CoD. Raven ain't going to be freed to do shit other than work on CoD. And you better love it

I agree. I don't think they will disrupt the COD machine. I do think Hexen has a future with another dev. Arkane or obsidian would be good choices for it.

 

[DeepEnigma]

It is all still factually true, rather than based on people's memory until now, but I agree it is redundant info because the judge was given satisfaction behind close doors - no pun intended - meaning that the order summary was all that remains that didn't hit the cutting room floor, and without coverage of him reasoning what he received to agree to cancelling of the judicial review appeal, we have no read on where things stand, other than it looks like the CMA are fully bent over to ignore the three SLCs that arise from Microsoft gaining ownership of Activison/CoD.

'Satisfaction' is the name of the judges new boat.

 

[The Pleasure]

'Satisfaction' is the name of the judges new boat.

 

[PaintTinJr]

'Satisfaction' is the name of the judges new boat.

Are you sure it is a "boat"? Depending on the girth and length it might in-fact be a yacht, more like a "Ballmer boat"

edit: I still think the judge has been quality, and "beyond reproach" which is the name of his real boat.

 

[adamsapple]

Some more relevant news out of the EC's summary.

Ultimate (the most expensive tier) accounts for around 70~80% of the total game pass install base.

 

[Topher]

Some more relevant news out of the EC's summary.

Ultimate (the most expensive tier) accounts for around 70~80% of the total game pass install base.

Not really a surprise as that is the tier that most XLG members would move to. Obviously online games, which I think most AB games are, will require GPU but I would think any single player games would be available on regular GP (non-core).

 

[Schmick]

Some more relevant news out of the EC's summary.

Ultimate (the most expensive tier) accounts for around 70~80% of the total game pass install base.

So 23,200,000 potential cloud users (based on the 29,000,000 Gamepass subscribers figure Sony annouced).

Man I wish the GP figure wasn't redacted.

 

[Jemm]

 

[MasterCornholio]

So they want this without divestment?

 

[OverHeat]

So they want this without divestment?

Anyone who invest that kind of money would not want to.

 

[Topher]

So Sony played right into Microsoft's hand? lol.....now that's a twist

 

[Heisenberg007]

FYI to others - they mentioned this to CAT's judge and the CMA initially. This is not a new stance. But based on CMA's and CAT judge's comments, they will also need divestment of some sort (most likely a small one related to Cloud) and these behavioral remedies are not sufficient.