Microsoft / Activision Deal Approval Watch |OT| (MS/ABK close)

Do you believe the deal will be approved?

  • Yes, will be approved without changes.

    Votes: 221 24.9%

  • Yes, will be approved but with structural changes to ABK.

    Votes: 102 11.5%

  • Yes, will be approved but only with behavioral concessions.

    Votes: 262 29.6%

  • No, will not be approved.

    Votes: 301 34.0%
  • Total voters
    886
  • Poll closed .
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''Some video game companies keep their licensed games within the walled gardens of their console, such as Nintendo with access to Mario Kart or The Legend of Zelda. Others license their games cross-platform, such as Microsoft and their top hit, Call of Duty''



''For reasons unknown, the FTC has made it their mission to ensure that PlayStation, a Japanese company, has ready access to Call of Duty for its users''

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Edmund said:
Hey Destin if I eat your chocolate chip cookies will I turn into an Xbox Fanboy like yourself?

Will you give out 1 year's worth of Game Pass if I get some of your cookies? The double chocolate chip cookies look good.

legariebakery.myshopify.com

Legarie Bakery

Legarie Bakery
legariebakery.myshopify.com
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No joke our cookies are amazing. Seriously though instead of complaining about how much y'all don't like me are you going to talk about the deal or nah?

What did you think about the email exchange between Phil and Jim Ryan? I just read it. Pretty spicy stuff.
 
~20 more days to go for resolution, pretty much.

I was wondering how the New Zealand FTC, who delayed the decision to July 17, might react if Microsoft backs out a couple of days before that.

ltefIjk.jpg
 
mansoor1980 said:
''Some video game companies keep their licensed games within the walled gardens of their console, such as Nintendo with access to Mario Kart or The Legend of Zelda. Others license their games cross-platform, such as Microsoft and their top hit, Call of Duty''



''For reasons unknown, the FTC has made it their mission to ensure that PlayStation, a Japanese company, has ready access to Call of Duty for its users''

icegif-675.gif
Click to expand...
Wtf 😂 where is this from?
 
DestinRL said:
No joke our cookies are amazing. Seriously though instead of complaining about how much y'all don't like me are you going to talk about the deal or nah?

What did you think about the email exchange between Phil and Jim Ryan? I just read it. Pretty spicy stuff.
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You sure you want to discuss this with the plebs here? The purple pearl clutchers might target your livelihood should they pick up on your visit here. It wouldn't be their first harassment campaign.

In fairness, you are engaging with others with your own identity unlike Florian [rip SoloKingRobert SoloKingRobert ]
 
Not sure if DestinRL is the actual Destin or some weird gimmick account, but I don't think he's as bad as other Pro-Xbox people.

At the very least he shows a willingness to engage with others with respect and occasionally criticize MSFT for things.
 
To Destin's credit, he did rip Microsoft a new one after Redfall release and Phil Spencer's Kinda Funny interview. Most other journalists and influencers did not have the courage to utter even a single word.

On the other hand, Destin's recent reports regarding the FTC hearing feel very biased towards Microsoft.
 
Astray said:
Not sure if DestinRL is the actual Destin or some weird gimmick account, but I don't think he's as bad as other Pro-Xbox people.

At the very least he shows a willingness to engage with others with respect and occasionally criticize MSFT for things.
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Destin made a tweet re: GAF and the account popped up again at the same time. Older messages support the idea that it is him. Unless it's a mega long con, what gain is it then?

Edit: My earlier message is more that I may disagree and generally jeer/mock, I've no intention of trying to fuck someone's IRL livelihood over unless it is severely disgusting. Pro Xbox comments and viewpoints aren't a hanging offence, nor should they ever be.
 
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Heisenberg007 said:
To Destin's credit, he did rip Microsoft a new one after Redfall release and Phil Spencer's Kinda Funny interview. Most other journalists and influencers did not have the courage to utter even a single word.

On the other hand, Destin's recent reports regarding the FTC hearing feel very biased towards Microsoft.
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I watched Destin's videos previously, but the bias has gotten insufferable. Apparently, every email is a celebratory victory for Microsoft, and every testimonial is a career-ending Sony embarrassment. I don't mind a little green here and there, but I can't stomach St. Patrick's Day 24/7.
 
Heisenberg007 said:
By the way, the Microsoft's SLT metrics (which Nadella and the top leadership look at regarding Xbox success) also excludes Nintendo. Check the last line.

Screenshot-2023-06-29-at-00-53-09.png
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Are you aware (I guess you didn't follow Jim Ryan's questioning) that there are documents where Sony also includes and excludes Nintendo/Switch in their financial plans as it suits them?

It is not that the FTC is achieving any proof in this regard and even more so when the different experts have not supported the idea of different markets either... Not to mention that testing SLC on the console with the acquisition of ABK, of course, does not depend at this point of whether or not Switch is included.
Apart from the fact that it makes sense that, to assess the success or not of XBS, the best image is the comparison with PS5, which is the console that comes out at the same time and starts from 0 and not with another with a 90 million advantage. This is not incompatible with the fact that they can consider it competition and that it belongs to the same market.


It's like when Jim Ryan denies that cloud gaming is a market in itself, also the representative of google and what consoles or the experts also doubt and then you have Nadella speaking in opposite terms... In this case it will be the judge decides (although in several interventions it seems that she does not understand the difference) and there we will see. In this case, the definition that She can do (if she do because this Is only a PI) is important with an eye on the CAT where the cause is not in the merits but in proving irrationality.
 
DestinRL said:
No joke our cookies are amazing. Seriously though instead of complaining about how much y'all don't like me are you going to talk about the deal or nah?

What did you think about the email exchange between Phil and Jim Ryan? I just read it. Pretty spicy stuff.
Click to expand...
There's 1266 pages of discussion re: the deal. If you make a living on being a prominent commentator, you shouldn't be upset when people discuss, disagree or ridicule your views. I suspect you lurk here, based on your posts in 2021. I know that false perceptions of GAF have spread via other forums but you are welcome to comment more regularly if you want to defend your positions.
 
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LiquidRex said:
It's looking like this deal will go through now, and Microsoft will be able to force Sony out by default within the next 10 years, Sony's argument's weren't strong enough in the FTC hearing, Jim Ryan has failed imo.

Microsoft will have the ability to buy up more, they'll get more pushback but it won't matter... This deal will make third party studios weaker and be forced to join the Microsoft eco system because there won't be anywhere else to go in the long run.
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jm89 said:
He never did, and neither did the google guy.

Whilst satya clearly made comments to investors of cloud gaming being a market.
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Jim does, he considers cloud gaming as part of his console subscription plan.
The Google guy, in his answers, only implies the relationship and competition with the consoles.
The FTC expert was unable to give a concrete answer as to whether or not it is.
The MS expert denied that they were different markets.

That you want to see it in another way or look for another context...OK. In any case, it will be the judge who has to give her opinion amid so much doubts and little consensus.
 
Darsxx82 said:
Jim does, he considers cloud gaming as part of his console subscription plan.
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That's how one companies subscription service is offered, no where does that imply cloud gaming market doesn't exist.

CMA knows this, EC knows this and FTC knows this and they still consider it a market.
Darsxx82 said:
The Google guy, in his answers, only implies the relationship and competition with the consoles.
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What relationship?

He said they where competing with playstation and nintendo. Ofcourse they are, their customer base will not appear out of nowhere, they will be targeting customers from other markets(console). Absurd to think that they ever would ignore potential customers from other markets.

Darsxx82 said:
The MS expert denied that they were different markets.
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Whilst satya clearly called cloud gaming a market.
 
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jm89 said:
And? That's how one companies subscription service is offered, no where does that imply cloud gaming market doesn't exist.
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To the direct question of whether or not Sony considers cloud gaming a market... Jim says it's part of his subscription plan and console, ergo... he doesn't consider it. That is to say, he is identifying it with a way of distributing games from the console and not as a market.

Otherwise there is no reason to be ambiguous or not to answer. Any other interpretation is subjective and the question is not what you or I interpret, the question is what the judge will interpret in the face of such a lack of consensus. For now, the clues that the judge has left is that she does not understand the differentiation and hence her continuous questions about it.
jm89 said:
CMA knows this, EC knows this and FTC knows this and they still consider it a market.
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In that there is no discussion. It is what they want to defend because it is what suits their respective purposes and argument base against MS-ABK

Another thing is that there is total consensus in the industry on the matter and it has been shown that THERE IS NOT, and that is equally indisputable.

The problem that MS has is the one already assumed. It is convincing the CAT because the decision is not based on merit but rather to demonstrate CMA irrationality.

That is why I say that for MS it will be as important to win this IP vs FTC as the possible definition that the judge can make about whether or not Xcloud is a market by itself (if she do It because It Is a PI). It is what could give MS some extra ammo before the CAT.

jm89 said:
What relationship?

He said they where competing with playstation and nintendo. Ofcourse they are, their customer base will not appear out of nowhere, they will be targeting customers from other markets(console). Absurd to think that they ever would ignore potential customers from other markets.
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Explain that to the judge..... For many that is the key that makes them interpret the opposite.

jm89 said:
Whilst satya clearly called cloud gaming a market.
Click to expand...

Yes, He say That, other people in MS The opposite. The judge is the one who will have to decide what weight to give to that statement vs. that of the rest of the declarants and experts.
 
Darsxx82 said:
To the direct question of whether or not Sony considers cloud gaming a market... Jim says it's part of his subscription plan and console, ergo... he doesn't consider it. That is to say, he is identifying it with a way of distributing games from the console and not as a market.
Click to expand...
Can you find this quote where they asked him that?

Like i said that is how sony's subscription service is offered doesn't make the cloud gaming market disappear. Sony cloud gaming service structure doesn't dictate cloud gaming market, sony is one player.
 
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Darsxx82 said:
That is why I say that for MS it will be as important to win this IP vs FTC as the possible definition that the judge can make about whether or not Xcloud is a market by itself (if she do It because It Is a PI). It is what could give MS some extra ammo before the CAT.
Click to expand...
And there are regulators like the EC and Korea who see it as a market, possibly more. Irrationality would be that no one else could have come to that conclusion. Seems like some regulators already came to the conclusion that it is a market.

Sure we will have to wait for the judge to come her conclusion, if i had to bet judge will side with MS. But that doesn't change other regulators seeing it as a market which reinforces CMAs position.
Darsxx82 said:
Explain that to the judge..... For many that is the key that makes them interpret the opposite.
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Who are the many?

Can you explain why you see them competing with console market makes cloud gaming not a market?
Darsxx82 said:
Yes, He say That, other people in MS The opposite. The judge is the one who will have to decide what weight to give to that statement vs. that of the rest of the declarants and experts.
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Of course they will say the opposite. They are facing opposition from regulators.
 
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mansoor1980 said:
''Some video game companies keep their licensed games within the walled gardens of their console, such as Nintendo with access to Mario Kart or The Legend of Zelda. Others license their games cross-platform, such as Microsoft and their top hit, Call of Duty''



''For reasons unknown, the FTC has made it their mission to ensure that PlayStation, a Japanese company, has ready access to Call of Duty for its users''

icegif-675.gif
Click to expand...

Ah man.......that's some hilarious shit right there.

Ass of Can Whooping said:
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Welcome back!

Bill Murray Well Its Groundhog Day Again GIF
 
Darsxx82 said:
Jim does, he considers cloud gaming as part of his console subscription plan.
The Google guy, in his answers, only implies the relationship and competition with the consoles.
The FTC expert was unable to give a concrete answer as to whether or not it is.
The MS expert denied that they were different markets.

That you want to see it in another way or look for another context...OK. In any case, it will be the judge who has to give her opinion amid so much doubts and little consensus.
Click to expand...

Internally MS refers to cloud as its own market, the EC as defined it as a different market, the CMA as defined it as a different market, MS's Nadella who is the one responsible for the company overall transition into the cloud refers to it as its own market.

You can play dumb, anyone can play dumb, but it's still playing dumb.
 
Today is the final day, it should last less than the other days, both sides will focus on connecting the dots of all the evidence that has come out and create a final argument for the judge.
Don't know if the verdict is expected next week or later.
 
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jm89 said:
And there are regulators like the EC and Korea who see it as a market, possibly more. Irrationality would be that no one else could have come to that conclusion. Seems like some regulators already came to the conclusion that it is a market.Sure we will have to wait for the judge to come her conclusion. But that doesn't change other regulators seeing it as a market which reinforces CMAs position.
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As I have already said, that MS has it more than difficult to demonstrate irrationality to the CAT, is unquestionable.
I already said in another thread that, in my opinion, MS is fighting against the FTC more with a view to future acquisitions than with the hope of acquiring ABK. If MS wins in the USA, the CMA will be alone and that will put it in an awkward situation the next time they meet.

But I repeat, There Is no consensus. It is not irrational either to defend that it is not a market.


jm89 said:
Who are the many?
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Experts, top people in the industry, some regulators...?

jm89 said:
Can you explain why you see them competing with console market makes cloud gaming not a market?
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Both have the same purpose and business base. Distribute games. They both compete with each other. The success of the consoles affects Stadia (and the like) and vice versa. The games are the same. And they are offered within the consoles themselves as a complement to the physical game.

I believe (and clearly many people in the industry) that there are enough connections and dependencies between the two that makes considering that they are different markets certainly is not something objective.
jm89 said:
Of course they will say the opposite. They are facing opposition from regulators.
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Just like the FTC and CMA do, support the argument that benefits them. That doesn't make some more right than others. In a space of lack of consensus in the industry, everyone chooses to defend the description that is best for their interests.

If the CMA were arguing that cloud gaming is not a market...MS would have just as hard to prove irrationality.
 
NickFire said:
Depends on who you ask, and what goal they are trying to advance that day.
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honestly all the trolling/bad faith arguments/astroturfing here lately is exhausting, you can't even try to have honest discussions because the threads just get flooded with BS… you correct one person only to have another suspicious account popup not long after trying to push the same lies
 
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HeisenbergFX4 said:
Ybarra once told me when they were courting him Bobby took him out to lunch and dinner on several occasions from the office and Bobby would only take the helicopter to places to eat where they could land one time flying just a few blocks to avoid a 30 minute car ride
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Takes a helicopter everywhere like he's on a GTAV server.

Happy Eddie Murphy GIF by Laff
 
Elios83 said:
Today is the final day, it should last less than the other days, both sides will focus on connecting the dots of all the evidence that has come out and create a final argument for the judge.
Don't know if the verdict is expected next week or later.
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According to information from (FinancialTimes?) yesterday , it appears that Judge Corley 's intent is to have a verdict next week.
 
Darsxx82 said:
As I have already said, that MS has it more than difficult to demonstrate irrationality to the CAT, is unquestionable.
I already said in another thread that, in my opinion, MS is fighting against the FTC more with a view to future acquisitions than with the hope of acquiring ABK. If MS wins in the USA, the CMA will be alone and that will put it in an awkward situation the next time they meet.

But I repeat, There Is no consensus. It is not irrational either to defend that it is not a market.



Experts, top people in the industry, some regulators...?



Both have the same purpose and business base. Distribute games. They both compete with each other. The success of the consoles affects Stadia (and the like) and vice versa. The games are the same. And they are offered within the consoles themselves as a complement to the physical game.

I believe (and clearly many people in the industry) that there are enough connections and dependencies between the two that makes considering that they are different markets certainly is not something objective.

Just like the FTC and CMA do, support the argument that benefits them. That doesn't make some more right than others. In a space of lack of consensus in the industry, everyone chooses to defend the description that is best for their interests.

If the CMA were arguing that cloud gaming is not a market...MS would have just as hard to prove irrationality.
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I feel like the issue is there's not really a market right now. Most people that even use it, are doing so as an added feature and even then, very sparingly.
But it would seem that the market will advance as tech does. On the hand there's the whole lag issue that seems like it may never be overcome. It's hard to say if it becomes something real or fades into a pretty niche audience.
 
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