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[Bernardougf]

It is a lie when they show the numbers that Xbox will have to reach for it to make it financially viable for them to make those games exclusive. Yet they make them exclusives 2 days after the acquisition closes and without Xbox hitting growth targets.

Besides, today's emails already proved that it was a lie because Microsoft had already estimated financial model #5 and decided to make ALL Zenimax games exclusive, yet they told EC they have no financial incentive. They had already done the calculations but lied to EC.

his follow-up is even worse



when did Xbox try not doing that?

In this case a fucking rpg to a gun fight

 

[Bernoulli]

In 3 hours we are getting the final result? Or is it tomorrow?

 

[Rossco EZ]

his follow-up is even worse



when did Xbox try not doing that?

 

[Heisenberg007]

In this case a fucking rpg to a gun fight

Microsoft got Mass Effect and Titanfall exclusives. I guess Sony must buy EA because of that timed exclusivity. And it'll be Microsoft's fault.

 

[tryDEATH]

So this was a fun little activity for the past week. After listening to most of the case bar today, I can't see how MS doesn't win this case and I predict they will.

Phil should have been the FTC's primary witness target, but they could never fully nailed him.

The one thing I did gather from this is that Sony better prepare for a fight, because MS for the very first time is going on offense in the console market. Sony will also for the first time be in a situation where they will have a few less studios to pump out content than their competitors something they never had to deal with.

 

[Varteras]

his follow-up is even worse



when did Xbox try not doing that?

Fanboyism rots your brain. He isn't too far from being legally retarded. The whole industry engaged in "knife fights". Microsoft didn't "try to stop". They were just as active. The problem for them is that they were losing. Yet despite having more than enough money to get more knives, they decided to bring guns. Which no one had done before them. What he isn't even stopping to consider, is that Microsoft isn't the only one who could do the same. Be careful what you wish for.

 

[graywolf323]

honestly I can't think of a single year that Microsoft didn't have even one game they themselves moneyhatted, it's amazing that we have a high ranking journalist out pushing this bs (sharing the tweet again for the new page)

 

[DrFigs]

Hoeg is saying he thinks its 50/50. So if he thought the CMA would have been a clear cut victory for MS, then it means that this will be an even worse outcome for MS.

 

[DForce]

ok couple of things to point out here.


1. I cannot find any instance in any of the records / tweets / verge articles about anyone saying that Minecraft has a pre-existing contract keeping it multiplat. You'd THINK that if anything like that were revealed in any of the documents that have come out so far, there would be a GAF topic about it at the very least.

2. Phil commented on thinking of getting Minecraft DUNGEONS as an exclusive, but then they didn't do that either.

3. If they really wanted to, and if such a contract ever existed, don't you think they would/could have renegotiated it ala Indiana Jones ?

4. The only official communique about even the thought of making Minecraft exclusive is stated thusly:




So, I'm sorry, doesn't look like there's any merit to the mine craft thing.

Minecraft was released on PS3 in 2013 and on PS4 in 2014. The same month Microsoft acquired them in 2014. This is the mainline Minecraft, not Dungeons. The game was already released on PlayStation consoles before they were acquired, which means they had a pre-existing agreement.

It should be obvious that they're not going to pull Minecraft from PS4 when its already released before they were acquired.

 

[balls of snow]

I have a feeling we won't be waiting long to hear that Pete Hines has resigned from Zenimax.

Only after starfield is out. Their magnum opus after all.

 

[NickFire]

honestly I can't think of a single year that Microsoft didn't have even one game they themselves moneyhatted, it's amazing that we have a high ranking journalist out pushing this bs (sharing the tweet again for the new page)

Someone tell that poor fool they announce things via pre-recorded youtube videos now. No need to keep auditioning like this.

 

[splattered]

Minecraft was released on PS3 in 2013 and on PS4 in 2014. The same month Microsoft acquired them in 2014. This is the mainline Minecraft, not Dungeons. The game was already released on PlayStation consoles before they were acquired, which means they had a pre-existing agreement.

It should be obvious that they're not going to pull Minecraft from PS4 when its already released before they were acquired.

Didn't it come out during this trial that Microsoft modified an agreement after buying Bethesda to keep it on Xbox? Could they not have done the same with Minecraft/Dungeons here?

 

[graywolf323]

Fanboyism rots your brain. He isn't too far from being legally retarded. The whole industry engaged in "knife fights". Microsoft didn't "try to stop". They were just as active. The problem for them is that they were losing. Yet despite having more than enough money to get more knives, they decided to bring guns. Which no one had done before them. What he isn't even stopping to consider, is that Microsoft isn't the only one who could do the same. Be careful what you wish for.

don't worry, if Sony actually goes out and buys a publisher in response I'm sure Ryan + Destin and the others will be there to tell us how it's different and wrong for Sony to do so

 

[Varteras]

Hoeg is saying he thinks its 50/50. So if he thought the CMA would have been a clear cut victory for MS, then it means that this will be an even worse outcome for MS.

Don't want to be that guy, but Hoeg has also shown a surprising lack of critical thinking for someone who was an M&A lawyer.

 

[DeepEnigma]

Someone tell that poor fool they announce things via pre-recorded youtube videos now. No need to keep auditioning like this.

Why gaming journalism needs a kick in the ass

Up front I will admit that a good part of the reason I am writing this is because the indiegogo campaign for my site is in the final few days (it ends Thursday evening) and the more money we get th…

doddscientifics.wordpress.com

 

[Dick Jones]

Didn't it come out during this trial that Microsoft modified an agreement after buying Bethesda to keep it on Xbox? Could they not have done the same with Minecraft/Dungeons here?

Go back to Notch? The man whose name was wiped off the credits as creator by Xbox? That Notch? I doubt there is enough money for Notch not be a bitter cunt back to MS.

 

[xHunter]

Goddam shills.

"A Narcissist's Prayer:

That didn't happen.

And if it did, it wasn't that bad.

And if it was, that's not a big deal.

And if it is, that's not my fault.

And if it was, I didn't mean it.

And if I did...

You deserved it."

 

[DrFigs]

It is discouraging to see emails from Jim Ryan as late as summer 2022 seemingly not alarmed by MS acquiring activision. It's good he changed his mind (or maybe he's pretending for regulators). But he needs to step it up.

 

[DeaDPo0L84]

So this was a fun little activity for the past week. After listening to most of the case bar today, I can't see how MS doesn't win this case and I predict they will.

Phil should have been the FTC's primary witness target, but they could never fully nailed him.

The one thing I did gather from this is that Sony better prepare for a fight, because MS for the very first time is going on offense in the console market. Sony will also for the first time be in a situation where they will have a few less studios to pump out content than their competitors something they never had to deal with.

I see we're back to people making incredibly embarrassing post. I don't know how some of you survive day to day with the brain power of a 5yo.

 

[Heisenberg007]

Didn't it come out during this trial that Microsoft modified an agreement after buying Bethesda to keep it on Xbox? Could they not have done the same with Minecraft/Dungeons here?

The contract Microsoft modified was with Disney. (was signed b/w Disney and Bethesda).

Minecraft's contract would be Sony. Sony would never agree to any modification.

 

[Varteras]

don't worry, if Sony actually goes out and buys a publisher in response I'm sure Ryan + Destin and the others will be there to tell us how it's different and wrong for Sony to do so

Yep. "It was bad when Microsoft did it, but now..."

Shut the fuck up. You don't start to escalate a war and then cry when your opponent matches your tactics.

 

[Bernardougf]

don't worry, if Sony actually goes out and buys a publisher in response I'm sure Ryan + Destin and the others will be there to tell us how it's different and wrong for Sony to do so

I dont want this to happen... but im thinking fromsoft now that souls games are finally mainstream and this casuals all love elden ring... if sony bought them it would make this press shills pussys loose their freaking minds...

But anyhow what is important is the CMA/CAT and as history tells FTC will loose history also says that CMA decisions are almost always final

 

[graywolf323]

The contract Microsoft modified was with Disney. (was signed b/w Disney and Bethesda).

Minecraft's contract would be Sony. Sony would never agree to any modification.

exactly, which is likely the only reason Microsoft honored releasing Deathloop & Ghostwire

they've shown that anything they can cancel or renegotiate the contract for they will gladly (and in the case of Minecraft we have Phil Spencer himself saying they were trying to figure out a way around it so they could make Dungeons exclusive)

I dont want this to happen... but im thinking fromsoft now that souls games are finally mainstream and this casuals all love elden ring... if sony bought them it would make this press shills pussys loose their freaking minds...

But anyhow what is important is the CMA/CAT and as hsitory tells FTC will loose history also says that CMA decisions are almost alaways final

a merger with Kodansha would make some sense for Sony since it gels well with more than just gaming

I'm not for this consolidation but at the same time now that Microsoft has opened the floodgates I can't be angry at Sony for reacting

 

[DForce]

Didn't it come out during this trial that Microsoft modified an agreement after buying Bethesda to keep it on Xbox? Could they not have done the same with Minecraft/Dungeons here?

You're talking about a deal that was negotiated between Disney and Bethesda before being acquired. Post-acquisition, it was between MS and Disney. I haven't seen anything that says Sony was at the table with Disney/Bethesda or Disney/MS.

It's easier to modify an agreement with Sony isn't at the table.

 

[Dick Jones]

It is discouraging to see emails from Jim Ryan as late as summer 2022 seemingly not alarmed by MS acquiring activision. It's good he changed his mind (or maybe he's pretending for regulators). But he needs to step it up.

His emails were we'll okay it if you keep everything including future ABK on PS along with Bethesda. I'd say he knew enough not to email offensively stupid shit. [Looking at you Booty]

 

[adamsapple]

don't worry, if Sony actually goes out and buys a publisher in response I'm sure Ryan + Destin and the others will be there to tell us how it's different and wrong for Sony to do so

Nah, if anyone is legitimately in favor of this acquisition, they won't or shouldn't have any issue if Sony does the same in response and tries to acquire a big publisher, (including myself), as long as they also have to go through all this media and legal circus.

 

[DJ12]

Minecraft was released on PS3 in 2013 and on PS4 in 2014. The same month Microsoft acquired them in 2014. This is the mainline Minecraft, not Dungeons. The game was already released on PlayStation consoles before they were acquired, which means they had a pre-existing agreement.

It should be obvious that they're not going to pull Minecraft from PS4 when its already released before they were acquired.

Ignore him, he's trying to get noticed and be offered a sit down with Aaron for breakfast.

 

[Unknown Soldier]

Personally, I think the judge is going to rule in Microsoft's favour. I think the FTC presented a damning case and dispelled any notion that they're incompetent. In fact, the opposite seems to be true.

But after listening to the judge, her predisposition seems to be in favour of Microsoft. Allowing Phil Spencer to make that meaningless oath pledge in court and then dismissing the FTC lawyer when he asked Phil to make the same pedge for other ip... That just seemed strange to me.

That aside, I think we've gone full circle. Bobby Kotic himself now seems like Microsoft's biggest hurdle.

Her son works for Microsoft, the FTC never had a prayer. I wish I was wrong but I don't have enough faith in our country's legal system to see a different outcome.

 

[splattered]

The contract Microsoft modified was with Disney. (was signed b/w Disney and Bethesda).

Minecraft's contract would be Sony. Sony would never agree to any modification.

Ok yeah that makes more sense

 

[graywolf323]

Nah, if anyone is legitimately in favor of this acquisition, they won't or shouldn't have any issue if Sony does the same in response and tries to acquire a big publisher, (including myself), as long as they also have to go through all this media and legal circus.

sure but you know a lot of these people are just shills and massive hypocrites

 

[DJ12]

His emails were we'll okay it if you keep everything including future ABK on PS along with Bethesda. I'd say he knew enough not to email offensively stupid shit. [Looking at you Booty]

did the august email that made him see the light ever get an airing?

 

[DrFigs]

Why gaming journalism needs a kick in the ass

Up front I will admit that a good part of the reason I am writing this is because the indiegogo campaign for my site is in the final few days (it ends Thursday evening) and the more money we get th…

doddscientifics.wordpress.com

Idk. I'm conflicted. Some of IGN's best people were fanboys, including Greg Miller, Collin Moriarty, etc. It's fine?

 

[Not_A-Cop_Maybe]

honestly I can't think of a single year that Microsoft didn't have even one game they themselves moneyhatted, it's amazing that we have a high ranking journalist out pushing this bs (sharing the tweet again for the new page)

To be fair, the games MS "moneyhatted" (sorry i hate this term- its so obtuse) was because it was advantageous to them.
I think the issue now lies with the fact, that when they approached other publishers/studios to "moneyhat" they were charged a premium because they did not have the user base. And, rightfully so as this is a business after all. Sony has got exclusive, time gateing (what ever term you wanna call it) deals much cheaper than what MS would have to shell out. Makes sense for the studio/publisher to make the most money they can even if it means a lower userbase for a small portion of time.

That being said, i dont think anyone should be pissed with the idea that MS is buying studios and what not. They have deemed it more econimically feasible for them to drop big change and buy these studios than get into contracts. I don't think that its unfair that MS can just outspend and buy people out. Sony could just as well drop billions on another established studio- something they already did with Bungie for example. A lot of people here seem more annoyed by the fact that MS can just open its wallet and buy out shit even if Sony (currently) is the largest user base. Pretty much sums up what capitalism is about.

If anything this trial proves, is that the gaming industry would continue to exist even if COD went exclusive- even if this is something MS says they wouldn't do.

 

[DeepEnigma]

Nah, if anyone is legitimately in favor of this acquisition, they won't or shouldn't have any issue if Sony does the same in response and tries to acquire a big publisher, (including myself), as long as they also have to go through all this media and legal circus.

 

[Dick Jones]

sure but you know a lot of these people are just shills and massive hypocrites

I'm sure adamsapple has a mirror in his house.

 

[graywolf323]

To be fair, the games MS "moneyhatted" (sorry i hate this term- its so obtuse) was because it was advantageous to them.
I think the issue now lies with the fact, that when they approached other publishers/studios to "moneyhat" they were charged a premium because they did not have the user base. And, rightfully so as this is a business after all. Sony has got exclusive, time gateing (what ever term you wanna call it) deals much cheaper than what MS would have to shell out. Makes sense for the studio/publisher to make the most money they can even if it means a lower userbase for a small portion of time.

That being said, i dont think anyone should be pissed with the idea that MS is buying studios and what not. They have deemed it more econimically feasible for them to drop big change and buy these studios than get into contracts. I don't think that its unfair that MS can just outspend and buy people out. Sony could just as well drop billions on another established studio- something they already did with Bungie for example. A lot of people here seem more annoyed by the fact that MS can just open its wallet and buy out shit even if Sony (currently) is the largest user base. Pretty much sums up what capitalism is about.

If anything this trial proves, is that the gaming industry would continue to exist even if COD went exclusive- even if this is something MS says they wouldn't do.

 

[DeepEnigma]

Idk. I'm conflicted. Some of IGN's best people were fanboys, including Greg Miller, Collin Moriarty, etc. It's fine?

No.

 

[graywolf323]

Idk. I'm conflicted. Some of IGN's best people were fanboys, including Greg Miller, Collin Moriarty, etc. It's fine?

were any of them on the level of Ryan & Destin? I mean sure they had favorites but I don't recall Greg or Colin ever acting like this

that had more to do with the history of IGN originally having separate teams to cover the different platforms as well (their Nintendo team had people like Fran Mirabella), as I understand it they've gone away from this but you still have Ryan and others now acting like they're impartial since they don't work for "IGN Xbox" anymore while behaving anything but

 

[Not_A-Cop_Maybe]

License and registration please.

 

[Dick Jones]

did the august email that made him see the light ever get an airing?

I dont think we found Phil's Road to Damascus

 

[graywolf323]

License and registration please.

 

[DJ12]

sure but you know a lot of these people are just shills and massive hypocrites

Adam spotting a shill:

 

[Varteras]

Idk. I'm conflicted. Some of IGN's best people were fanboys, including Greg Miller, Collin Moriarty, etc. It's fine?

Greg Miller can eat a bag of dicks either way. Colin is infinitely more objective than that tool, Ryan.

 

[Not_A-Cop_Maybe]

Gonna have to call my supervisor(s)

were any of them on the level of Ryan & Destin? I mean sure they had favorites but I don't recall Greg or Colin ever acting like this

that had more to do with the history of IGN originally having separate teams to cover the different platforms as well (their Nintendo team had people like Fran Mirabella), as I understand it they've gone away from this but you still have Ryan and others now acting like they're impartial since they don't work for "IGN Xbox" anymore while behaving anything but

Not to change the topic or what not, yes. Greg and Colin have both said equally stupid shit.

 

[Banjo64]

Nah, if anyone is legitimately in favor of this acquisition, they won't or shouldn't have any issue if Sony does the same in response and tries to acquire a big publisher, (including myself), as long as they also have to go through all this media and legal circus.

Get ready to cope but Sony wouldn't face as much scrutiny as they don't own their own cloud infrastructure and, as supported by M$', Sony are far far behind in the multi game subscription service race.

 

[graywolf323]

Greg Miller can eat a bag of dicks either way. Colin is infinitely more objective than that tool, Ryan.

yeah but the issues regarding Greg aren't due to him being a blind fanboy, it's more related to how much Kinda Funny embraced the culture war BS

 

[Not_A-Cop_Maybe]

Get ready to cope but Sony wouldn't face as much scrutiny as they don't own their own cloud infrastructure and, as supported by M$', Sony are far far behind in the multi game subscription service race.

Agree on the cloud infrastructure- This is their own fault. They literally bought out one of the "pioneers" of cloud gaming and did jack shit with it.

Multi game subs- Didnt they just come out with a game subscription plan, that has something like 40Million users? Am i confused or thinking about something else?

 

[FalsettoVibe]

So if this PI is not given, then what? MS/ABK will just bulldoze over the CMA, FTC, etc and complete the deal anyway?
Seems like the CMS decision is being ignored in all the recent conversation.

 

[splattered]

So if this PI is not given, then what? MS/ABK will just bulldoze over the CMA, FTC, etc and complete the deal anyway?
Seems like the CMS decision is being ignored in all the recent conversation.

That's what people are making it sound like, i have my doubts though

 

[Kilau]

Nah, if anyone is legitimately in favor of this acquisition, they won't or shouldn't have any issue if Sony does the same in response and tries to acquire a big publisher, (including myself), as long as they also have to go through all this media and legal circus.

Sony would never see this kind of media circus, meaning 90% favorable coverage of their merger.