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[Ar¢tos]

Maybe ms could promise to pay uk tax.

But as the statement is about British business, sadly for MS, this is completely irrelevant.

Ah, but very soon, on twitter, someone, probably Sage, is going to argue that both MS and ATK can be considered British businesses, because, from a historical point of view the USA is nothing more than West UK (and that Phil Spencer is absolutely gorgeous, smells like freshly baked cake and his sweat tastes like candy).

 

[feynoob]

This is all my opinion, I dont want to pretend that Im some big shot MS/SONY executive "know it all" as some others do over here

Gamepass is ((( at is current state ))) an utopian unsustainable business model in this industry, giving AAA first party and some third party day one releases for dirty cheap, is a model that even ((( IF ))) it worked can only be sustained by MS and their deep pockets, XBOX division could not alone carry-on as cant nintendo or sony, so is a "trojan horse" model implemented to cannibalize the other brands, buying the bigger publishers and studios in this industry one by one to keep their games "rent almost free" and push people away from the other brands, more specifically SONY as their final objective for market dominance, and after this is achieved who knows what gamepass and gaming would really became, not cheap forever i can guarantee you that. MS is a monopolistic minded brand, always has and always will be.

Furthermore this "not sell only rent" business stimulate the current streaming theme "quantity over quality" as we are seeing oh so often with MS, with shit games been pumped out of the "gamepass game making machine" in ever more unfinished state and with just bad quality, none of the streaming "NETFLIX" services provide really AAA constant hollywood quality, is low budget shit after low budget shit, sprinkled with the occasional hit, but the feeling is quite different from a multi-million theater film.

So in resume, IMO, is an "Trojan Horse" unsustainable businesses that stimulate quantity over quality, creates a mentality that an AA or even an A game passing for AAA is ok because is "free" and also changes buying habits making people for obvious reasons dont buy their games, wich make developers lazy and uninspired because they have only to pumpout some shit that doesn't need to sell and only make the volume the platform needed for that time.

Didnt like gamepass inception and nothing that it did until now surprised me or changed my initial reaction to it, but it was OK, until MS decided to start buying off the industry.

My friend all this is just horse shit.

 

[dotnotbot]

Maybe the purpose of those weird articles/tweets from stoners like Florian is to keep ABK stock from plummeting even more.

 

[Nothing1234]

We don’t have enough information on game pass to make a definitive opinion on sustainability to be honest.

 

[Bernardougf]

We don’t have enough information on game pass to make a definitive opinion on sustainability to be honest.

Oh I agree with you, this is why I pass it just as 'my opinion' based on bits of pieces of information we can get here and there and how the other publishers and manufacturers are behaving... we all are just gamers giving our opinion here afterall, with the crows in the freezer to be eaten.

 

[Nothing1234]

Oh I agree with you, this is why I pass it as 'my opinion' based on bits of pieces of information we can get here and there and how the other publishers and manufacturers are behaving... we all are just gamers given our opinion here afterall with rhe crows in the freezer to be eaten

Yeah I do think a business model that means you are constantly having to buy publishers to feed it is a bit worrisome though.

 

[MasterCornholio]

Yeah I do think a business model that means you are constantly having to buy publishers to feed it is a bit worrisome though.

Having the obligation to constantly feed a subscription service to make it viable can have its drawbacks. I'm curious to see how Microsoft will handle all their recent acquisitions.

Best case scenario is they feed gamepass with high quality releases consistently. Unfortunately game development can take a long time so I'm wondering how they will do this. It definitely is a different business model than what Sony and Nintendo have.

I wish them the best though because great games is what we want as consumers.

 

[Pelta88]

Some hopium written by someone from purple town


https://gameranx.com/updates/id/465...egically-steer-the-cma-to-not-get-in-the-way/

Prime example of hope...

Sunak's comments have zero to do with Microsoft attempted acquisition. He doesn't reference, allude to, or mention the deal. In reality, his government gave the CMA more power post the acquisitions failure. But era is sucking on hopium while microdosing cope. So anything Sunak says will be wrapped up as

 

[FUBARx89]

I'm not sure what's worse, the clowns believing MS should just pull out of the UK or Dishy Rishi is going to get involved to get the deal through from a fluff statement about growing the economy that doesn't even allude to MS in the slightest.

Eitherway, whatever these clowns are on, I want some, cause it must be awesome being this oblivious to the real world.

 

[Topher]

https://gameranx.com/updates/id/465...egically-steer-the-cma-to-not-get-in-the-way/

What a ridiculous clickbait article. Sorry you fell for it.

Sometimes it is best to go directly to the source and actually read what was said.

The only thing in this concerning the CMA is an upcoming "strategic steer".


Ironically, while Microsoft fanatics are proclaiming Microsoft's own Brexit.......

Microsoft backs British AI start-up despite row over blocked Activision deal

Tech giant continues prior trend to double down on the controversial technology

www.telegraph.co.uk

 

[Heisenberg007]

I'm not sure what's worse, the clowns believing MS should just pull out of the UK or Dishy Rishi is going to get involved to get the deal through from a fluff statement about growing the economy that doesn't even allude to MS in the slightest.

Eitherway, whatever these clowns are on, I want some, cause it must be awesome being this oblivious to the real world.

The entire world revolves around Microsoft and putting ABK games on Game Pass. So even if Rishi didn't allude to Microsoft, he was obviously referring to Microsoft.

 

[GHG]

Ironically, while Microsoft fanatics are proclaiming Microsoft's own Brexit.......

http://[URL][URL]https://www.telegr...med it bought,automate app design and coding.

[/URL][/URL]

Don't you see, this is all part of the plan to skynet the UK.

 

[FUBARx89]

The entire world revolves around Microsoft and putting ABK games on Game Pass. So even if Rishi didn't allude to Microsoft, he was obviously referring to Microsoft.

What annoys me is people act like we're like the USA over here where they can brute force through stuff with lobbying or lawsuits despite being repeatedly told it's not like that.

 

[feynoob]

We don’t have enough information on game pass to make a definitive opinion on sustainability to be honest.

We only managed to get a glimpse of 2 game cost

https://www.videogameschronicle.com...ns-of-the-galaxy-on-game-pass-analyst-claims/

PLus MS buys those copies in bulk. They don't spend 60$ per copies like us regular folks.

then there is the gaming medium, which is not the same as movies/TV medium. We have too many games from all kind of genre that takes too long to play. MS has all these contents lying around.

Yet people keep talking about the service not being sustainable.

 

[Heisenberg007]

What annoys me is people act like we're like the USA over here where they can brute force through stuff with lobbying or lawsuits despite being repeatedly told it's not like that.

Most of them are just trolls and argue in bad faith. Here is just one of the many examples.

About ~20 pages ago, SoloKingRobert was arguing that the CMA is wrong to block the acquisition because of Cloud because Sony is the market leader in the UK cloud gaming market.

He was deliberately using 2021 numbers, while conveniently ignoring 2022 data that confirms Microsoft has a 70% share in the Cloud gaming market. It's literally in the article he himself shared.

You've just admitted you prefer Sony to have a Monopoly in the UK. They dominate the Gaming Consoles over 70%, and Gaming cloud sector here in the UK.

That's why CMA statement is flawed if they're looking to the future. What future? That's like saying Sony shouldn't acquire any more Gaming companies since they have over 70% console market lead here..

It only includes global marketshare. Hopefully, when Microsoft appeals they should show UK statistics instead.

https://www.tweaktown.com/news/90277/playstation-beat-xbox-cloud-gaming-users-in-2021-new-cma-data-indicates/index.html

I called him out. Unsurprisingly, he stopped commenting in the thread and did not even respond to me.

So disingenuous. Why are you arguing in bad faith?

Why are you using 2021 numbers and not 2022 numbers?

The link you shared literally mentions this, but you're only using the 2021 data.

Now that we've gone through enough pages, he is back to spouting the same stuff again. The following comment is from yesterday.

Microsoft doesn't have a Monopoly in the Gaming Division since Sony dominates the console market. Same with cloud, you have huge players like Amazon's Luna cloud gaming, Nvidia's GeForce etc..

 

[feynoob]

This should be relevant to everyone. MS position in cloud gaming is like early windows.

Yes. And I told you, why MS is dominant in that position.

They have the content and resources to topple any competition that can challenge them.

 

[MasterCornholio]

Most of them are just trolls and argue in bad faith. Here is just one of the many examples.

About ~20 pages ago, SoloKingRobert was arguing that the CMA is wrong to block the acquisition because of Cloud because Sony is the market leader in the UK cloud gaming market.

He was deliberately using 2021 numbers, while conveniently ignoring 2022 data that confirms Microsoft has a 70% share in the Cloud gaming market. It's literally in the article he himself shared.




I called him out. Unsurprisingly, he stopped commenting in the thread and did not even respond to me.



Now that we've gone through enough pages, he is back to spouting the same stuff again. The following comment is from yesterday.

So how did Microsofts share in cloud gaming grow so much?

 

[feynoob]

So how did Microsofts share in cloud gaming grow so much?

10m played. But they have fortnite, which inflates those numbers. Plus xcloud was in beta too.

Currently only ultimate users and fortnite users have access to the service.

 

[Heisenberg007]

So how did Microsofts share in cloud gaming grow so much?

xCloud, Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X|S All-Access programs.

 

[Bernoulli]

xCloud, Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X|S All-Access programs.

The appeal at the CAT will take about 1 year before returning to the CMA
in september Apple will add sideloading to IOS17 on EU iphones
just that will make Xcloud explode and the CMA can use it again to block because they will have even more market share

 

[Heisenberg007]

The appeal at the CAT will take about 1 year before returning to the CMA
in september Apple will add sideloading to IOS17 on EU iphones
just that will make Xcloud explode and the CMA can use it again to block because they will have even more market share

 

[Three]

What annoys me is people act like we're like the USA over here where they can brute force through stuff with lobbying or lawsuits despite being repeatedly told it's not like that.

It felt almost like a slip of the mask by MS's Brad Smith when he was complaining that the CMA are 'unelected'. Like he was angry he couldn't pay for the campaign money to get somebody favourable there.

 

[feynoob]

The appeal at the CAT will take about 1 year before returning to the CMA
in september Apple will add sideloading to IOS17 on EU iphones
just that will make Xcloud explode and the CMA can use it again to block because they will have even more market share

 

[Three]

The appeal at the CAT will take about 1 year before returning to the CMA
in september Apple will add sideloading to IOS17 on EU iphones
just that will make Xcloud explode and the CMA can use it again to block because they will have even more market share

I've said before as time goes on and regulators prolong the deal it becomes more difficult for MS to hide behind the things they've said. They won't launch a very successful app store when mobile sideloading goes live, they won't fall behind in the UK in console sales like they claimed they would (I think they stated 4:1?), and their promises of benefits might happen without the deal.

Activision would be free in July to make deals on their own again if they don't extend with MS. They can possibly make deals with other cloud providers and subscription services. it would become apparent that most of their games release to steam without the MS deal, or they may even possibly start a CoD mobile/ warzone/remaster/whatever for Switch. That would be a bad look for MS.

 

[Ronin_7]

The appeal at the CAT will take about 1 year before returning to the CMA
in september Apple will add sideloading to IOS17 on EU iphones
just that will make Xcloud explode and the CMA can use it again to block because they will have even more market share

The CMA will make a new decision (has been the same since forever) in about 4 months after CAT procedure, so we're talking possibly 16 months since the CAT Appeal which needs to be made before May 24th.

CAT appeal can be shorter of course but META Giphy lasted like 12 Months before new decision but this case is way more complex... But at best next May.

 

[feynoob]

The CMA will make a new decision (has been the same since forever) in about 4 months after CAT procedure, so we're talking possibly 16 months since the CAT Appeal which needs to be made before May 24th.

CAT appeal can be shorter of course but META Giphy lasted like 12 Months before new decision but this case is way more complex... But at best next May.

not another year

 

[Ar¢tos]

not another year

Just think of the amazing meltdowns we will witness during that year.

 

[feynoob]

Just think of the amazing meltdowns we will witness during that year.

I am going to have to book a therapy appointment after this is done.

 

[Ogbert]

It's dumb. How people associate this with the ABK deal I have no idea. They are obviously talking about British businesses and neither Microsoft or ABK are that.

With this the CMA are looking at the impact that two foreign companies will have on the British market. It's more about protecting the market in the UK than protecting foreign businesses from each other.

They’re certainly talking about international business. But international financial services.

It makes up an enormous amount of our GDP.

So yes, nothing to do with technology service providers, like MS.

 

[MasterCornholio]

They’re certainly talking about international business. But international financial services.

It makes up an enormous amount of our GDP.

So yes, nothing to do with technology service providers, like MS.

OK that article made it seem like it was something else.

 

[Kilau]

This must be revenge for when we kicked England's sorry hides during the Silverware. The ghost of general george w. brush should haunt them until they let MS buy DQ blizzards for everyone.

 

[feynoob]

Its done. Hope is gone.

 

[DeepEnigma]

It felt almost like a slip of the mask by MS's Brad Smith when he was complaining that the CMA are 'unelected'. Like he was angry he couldn't pay for the campaign money to get somebody favourable there.

"Why can't we lobby you!?" - Sad Smith

 

[MasterCornholio]

Its done. Hope is gone.

Did something happen?

 

[feynoob]

Did something happen?

Our last hope to win a title. It was tiny slim. Today's loss means we have 0 chance for the title.

 

[Nydius]

CAT appeal can be shorter of course but META Giphy lasted like 12 Months before new decision but this case is way more complex... But at best next May.

I’m with the group who thinks it‘ll be dead long before then. Even if the EC doesn’t block it, I can’t see Activision sticking around in legal limbo for another year or more. I fully suspect they’re doing/saying all the “right” things now to look like they‘re fully committed but, behind the scenes, are preparing to bail and get their $3b consolation prize.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

I think Netflix helped bring a lot more quality to TV (not so much for movies). They helped usher in a golden age of tv that had mostly been limited to HBO and to an extent Showtime and occasionally Starz.

I don't think the nature of video games allows for a subscription service designed like this to flourish.

It would be one thing if GamePass was JUST Microsoft games, but once you throw in 3rd party you're really muddying the waters in order to financially sustain it.

I think it could work for individual companies to allow them to take more risks and spread out budgets. Square Enix would have thrived with a subscription model in the early 2000s instead of turning into what they are today.

As for Reuters, they have MUCH better sources around this than FT. If they say EC is going to approve this, they're going to approve it. The biggest question I have is why it would take as long as it did to rubber stamp it. Microsoft's cloud deals are a joke, but I guess the EC doesn't want the heat on this one and with the CMA already blocking it, it doesn't really have to.

 

[feynoob]

Tomorrow is going to be the result day if may15 is the correct day.

 

[Nydius]

As for Reuters, they have MUCH better sources around this than FT.

As has been pointed out multiple times, that Reuters article wasn’t new. It was a regurgitation of a March article that predated the CMA’s decision with only the May deadline dates updated.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

As has been pointed out multiple times, that Reuters article wasn’t new. It was a regurgitation of a March article that predated the CMA’s decision with only the May deadline dates updated.

I'm not talking about the CMA, I'm talking about the EC.

I made that VERY clear in what I wrote.

This is not the same article: https://www.reuters.com/markets/dea...sion-deal-expected-may-15-sources-2023-05-10/

 

[MasterCornholio]

Our last hope to win a title. It was tiny slim. Today's loss means we have 0 chance for the title.

I thought you meant ABK. No idea you were talking about Football.

 

[feynoob]

I thought you meant ABK. No idea you were talking about Football.

At least this deal can hide my pain.

 

[Dick Jones]

"Why can't we lobby you!?" - Sad Smith

Brad Smith

 

[jm89]

As for Reuters, they have MUCH better sources around this than FT. If they say EC is going to approve this, they're going to approve it. The biggest question I have is why it would take as long as it did to rubber stamp it. Microsoft's cloud deals are a joke, but I guess the EC doesn't want the heat on this one and with the CMA already blocking it, it doesn't really have to.

If it really is approval time this week, i'm suprised microsoft aren't putting out more positive PR. Cause you know every chance they get to celebrate somethin anything positive they will take it.

I think maybe it's taken this long is they are asking third parties for input, but then again so did CMA.

Yeah those cloud deals are a joke, i wonder if EC go for really tough remedies.

 

[DeepEnigma]

Brad Smith

 

[Mibu no ookami]

If it really is approval time this week, i'm suprised microosft aren't putting out more positive PR. Cause you know every chance they get to celebrate somethin anything positive they will take it.

I think maybe it's taken this long is they are asking third parties for input, but then again so did CMA.

Yeah those cloud deals are a joke, i wonder if EC go for really tough remedies.

The positive PR and negative CMA PR will be on full tilt monday morning US time.

Maybe they're doing their due diligence, but sources had this as approved months ago.

 

[Ronin_7]

I’m with the group who thinks it‘ll be dead long before then. Even if the EC doesn’t block it, I can’t see Activision sticking around in legal limbo for another year or more. I fully suspect they’re doing/saying all the “right” things now to look like they‘re fully committed but, behind the scenes, are preparing to bail and get their $3b consolation prize.

I'm on this boat as well but Kotick is unpredictable... I mean who the FUCK would sell their healthy company with plenty opportunity for growth like this lol

Nobody expected that but here we are.

 

[jm89]

I mean who the FUCK would sell their healthy company with plenty opportunity for growth like this lol

$185 million reasons why

 

[Ogbert]

I think Netflix helped bring a lot more quality to TV (not so much for movies). They helped usher in a golden age of tv that had mostly been limited to HBO and to an extent Showtime and occasionally Starz.

I don't think the nature of video games allows for a subscription service designed like this to flourish.

It would be one thing if GamePass was JUST Microsoft games, but once you throw in 3rd party you're really muddying the waters in order to financially sustain it.

I think it could work for individual companies to allow them to take more risks and spread out budgets. Square Enix would have thrived with a subscription model in the early 2000s instead of turning into what they are today.

As for Reuters, they have MUCH better sources around this than FT. If they say EC is going to approve this, they're going to approve it. The biggest question I have is why it would take as long as it did to rubber stamp it. Microsoft's cloud deals are a joke, but I guess the EC doesn't want the heat on this one and with the CMA already blocking it, it doesn't really have to.

Why would you say Reuters have better sources than the FT?

Not a dig. Just curious. The FT is usually pretty reliable on matters of fact.

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

I'm on this boat as well but Kotick is unpredictable... I mean who the FUCK would sell their healthy company with plenty opportunity for growth like this lol

Nobody expected that but here we are.

Yeah only way I see Activision NOT taking the $3B is if they renegotiate a much higher share price for them to stick through it for appeals/another year, including another termination fee if the deal doesn't go through...Possibly $110 share price and another $2-3B termination fee.

How much money is MS willing to blow to try and get activision?

There is zero incentive for Bobby to do anything but take the money and run.