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[In Cold Blood]

Lol why would they not want to sell?

What if MS and Tencent have a large shareholding? Why would they sell? What if there is a large shareholder like Buffet that thinks the share price is going to go 20% higher than the current market price? What if a large institutional buyer paid more than the shares are worth now and doesn't want to cement the loss?

A hostile buyer will purchase their shares on the open market, paying the going rate. The board is against it and tells shareholders not to sell.
It's not an easy path, and that's why companies like MS didn't do that, but rather pay a 20% premium of what the shares are trading for to not be hostile.
In a non hostile aquisition, MS goes to the board and puts a deal to them. The board will either knock it back or accept it. Once they accept it they then have to get the shareholders to vote on it, and if the majority vote yes then all shares are sold, even if you don't want to sell them. You have no choice in it, and you will just be sent a cheque in the mail and your shares will disappear.

 

[Ass of Can Whooping]

A hostile buyer will purchase their shares on the open market, paying the going rate. The board is against it and tells shareholders not to sell.

 

[GHG]

And why is that exactly?

 

[drganon]

And why is that exactly?

 

[Bojanglez]

And why is that exactly?

It is actually quite worrying that these people are so dependent on companies for access that they can't have their own opinions. Surely this, even subconsciously, will also be reflected in the way they cover these companies too. Sad times.

 

[Ozzy Onya A2Z]

It is actually quite worrying that these people are so dependent on companies for access that they can't have their own opinions. Surely this, even subconsciously, will also be reflected in the way they cover these companies too. Sad times.

Or you know journalists and reviewers etc can just have integrity.

 

[Heisenberg007]

And why is that exactly?

Aww, poor John. "had to accept it."

 

[Bernoulli]

Personally, I just started jerking off over it. Right at the moment of climax, I would look at a picture of Xbox and ABK merging. Conditioning myself to think of it in a positive way.

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

And why is that exactly?

 

[Zheph]

Aww, poor John. "had to accept it."

 

[Clear]

First off, this 5 year number is just pulled from your ass.

That's a single AAA product cycle from conception to release.

Second, can you not see that this "delima" is exactly the same for an employee looking to find a new place of work.

Most veteran devs think about setting up independently because the process of corporate dev is gruelling and often not creatively rewarding. Generally people don't get into the business to be a cog in a machine, which once headcounts and money gets big enough is what it turns into.

Also its dilemma, not "delima".

If an employee signs a contract with another company, these exact same conditions you describe still apply (committing blindly upfront under a new management regime). In what way is going to a new company somehow less "blindly committing" or less of a "new management regime"? The suggestion is not self consistent

No. Generally speaking the hirer will make a pitch to the applicant as to the sort of product they'll be working on if they get far enough to be given serious consideration (NDA stage), because they want to get a sense of whether they are legitimately enthusiastic or just looking for a big IP to add to their resume.

Hiring someone who's only going to stick around for a year is just creating a problem down the line.

I don't hold a crystal ball. Maybe every decent employee forgoes any momentum or comfortableness they have established with Activision and leaves. Honestly though, I absolutely believe that your assertions are complete nonsense. I can't imagine anyone with any experience in the corporate world not understanding how a business keeps tabs on their employees, or how they identify their key players

Edit: or Phil has an 8-ball

Again, its fundamentally a creative business and attracts people with a creative mindset. Its not just product development where you can stack-rank based on productivity or performance. If talented people feel stifled or disregarded by the prevailing corporate culture they will leave. You can't just hire a bunch of all-stars or veterans and expect things to work out wonderfully, look at what (didn't) happen with The Initiative!

If Xbox was so skilled at fostering talent they would have built more and acquired less. Period.

 

[Punished Miku]

It does not work? It's established strategy when acquiring a business. To suggest that MS is going to make no effort to retain Activisions top talent just seems silly.

I thought we hit the final layer of cope, but I guess this is the natural next step. "Maybe every good employee leaves now?"

I think it will be followed by, "maybe the sales suck now?" That one can be extended out until at least the next few quarterly statements at a minimum.

Not sure what comes after that.

 

[RedC]

I thought we hit the final layer of cope, but I guess this is the natural next step. "Maybe every good employee leaves now?"

I think it will be followed by, "maybe the sales suck now?" That one can be extended out until at least the next few quarterly statements at a minimum.

Not sure what comes after that.

Acceptance.

 

[Makoto-Yuki]

And why is that exactly?

paid by sony

 

[wolffy66]

I thought we hit the final layer of cope, but I guess this is the natural next step. "Maybe every good employee leaves now?"

I think it will be followed by, "maybe the sales suck now?" That one can be extended out until at least the next few quarterly statements at a minimum.

Not sure what comes after that.

Obviously followed by how the games have become

 

[Ar¢tos]

I thought we hit the final layer of cope, but I guess this is the natural next step. "Maybe every good employee leaves now?"

I think it will be followed by, "maybe the sales suck now?" That one can be extended out until at least the next few quarterly statements at a minimum.

Not sure what comes after that.

They work with limited time contracts in their studios, so it's fair to ask if there will be any effort for talent retention.

 

[Punished Miku]

They work with limited time contracts in their studios, so it's fair to ask if there will be any effort for talent retention.

Sure, that's one way to interpret it. I'd describe it more like "fantasizing about their downfall and trying to will it into existence to make the pain go away."

 

[Roxkis_ii]

I thought we hit the final layer of cope, but I guess this is the natural next step. "Maybe every good employee leaves now?"

I think it will be followed by, "maybe the sales suck now?" That one can be extended out until at least the next few quarterly statements at a minimum.

Not sure what comes after that.

Something happens to studios after MS buys them and it's not good. To deny this is just closing your eyes to reality.

 

[Ar¢tos]

Sure, that's one way to interpret it. I'd describe it more like "fantasizing about their downfall and trying to will it into existence to make the pain go away."

So asking what their plans for talent retention are is wishing their downfall?

When Sony bought Bungie it was known there was a plan for that.

 

[adamsapple]

Per Idas, EC's full report should be coming out soon.

The EC published the details of the monitoring trustee for the EU commitments:
On 19 July 2023 the Commission approved the appointment of:

Evelyn Partners
LLP 45 Gresham Street
London EC2V 7BG
United Kingdom

Contact: Michel Alexander
Tel: +44 20 7131 8069
Michel.Alexander@evelyn.com

as Monitoring Trustee in the above-mentioned case.


Getting closer to the full text of the decision, hopefully.

 

[adamsapple]

They work with limited time contracts in their studios, so it's fair to ask if there will be any effort for talent retention.

So asking what their plans for talent retention are is wishing their downfall?

When Sony bought Bungie it was known there was a plan for that.

They have already said Activision will continue to operate independently. Microsoft's internal 18 month contractor status is not applicable to them.

"Microsoft intends to operate Activision similar to other recent acquisitions, such as Minecraft developer Mojang. In other words, Activision's creative operations will remain separate and continue to run as they did pre-merger."

Activision will operate separately on a post-merger basis, Microsoft says

Activision Blizzard King's creative operations 'will remain separate and continue to operate' undisturbed on a post-merger basis, MSFT lawyers say.

www.tweaktown.com

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

It does not work? It's established strategy when acquiring a business. To suggest that MS is going to make no effort to retain Activisions top talent just seems silly.

i mean...XBox/MS's track record speaks for itself.

that is why i asked. Because Sony paid 1/3 just to retain Bungie's talent.

 

[Duchess]

Guys, in 10 years this industry is going to look like utter shit.

(actually, probably more like the AAA side of things)

 

[Roxkis_ii]

Guys, in 10 years this industry is going to look like utter shit.

(actually, probably more like the AAA side of things)

All worth it for cheap games on Game pass!
*need new socks

 

[sainraja]

So asking what their plans for talent retention are is wishing their downfall?

When Sony bought Bungie it was known there was a plan for that.

Just ignore 'em. Some people never grow up. How dare you ask questions or feel differently!!!

EDIT

They have already said Activision will continue to operate independently. Microsoft's internal 18 month contractor status is not applicable to them.

Activision will operate separately on a post-merger basis, Microsoft says

Activision Blizzard King's creative operations 'will remain separate and continue to operate' undisturbed on a post-merger basis, MSFT lawyers say.

www.tweaktown.com

And that was all that was being asked. Good of you to simply answer the question.

 

[RedC]

Guys, in 10 years this industry is going to look like utter shit.

(actually, probably more like the AAA side of things)

The only constant is change.

 

[Ass of Can Whooping]

Sure, that's one way to interpret it. I'd describe it more like "fantasizing about their downfall and trying to will it into existence to make the pain go away."

You're more unhinged than I am when it comes to this deal

 

[drganon]

The only constant is change.

 

[PaintTinJr]

They have already said Activision will continue to operate independently. Microsoft's internal 18 month contractor status is not applicable to them.

Activision will operate separately on a post-merger basis, Microsoft says

Activision Blizzard King's creative operations 'will remain separate and continue to operate' undisturbed on a post-merger basis, MSFT lawyers say.

www.tweaktown.com

Which is completely disingenuous because why on earth would Sony need a 10year contract with Activision as is, and then only get CoD if there is no strategic difference in Microsoft ownership - and it is just about who gets the income? pull the other one Microsoft.

 

[Pelta88]

You're more unhinged than I am when it comes to this deal

And that's saying something

I got dude blocked so thankfully, I don't see his nonsense.

 

[Roxkis_ii]

And that's saying something

I got dude blocked so thankfully, I don't see his nonsense.

I don't, I think they maybe one of the few actual legitimate Xbox fans. People getting paid don't usually get that passionate.

 

[Ar¢tos]

Guys, in 10 years this industry is going to look like utter shit.

(actually, probably more like the AAA side of things)

As long as indies are untouched, I'll continue gaming.

 

[Vox Machina]

I don't, I think they maybe one of the few actual legitimate Xbox fans. People getting paid don't usually get that passionate.

 

[Edmund]

As long as indies are untouched, I'll continue gaming.

Idk if you consider Jagged Alliance 3 indie, but it's freaking awesome.

 

[RedC]

I never claimed it was deep or profound.

It's just the quicker people accept it, the quicker people may stop dooming and glooming change that has already been happening and will always happen.

 

[TrueGrime]

I never claimed it was deep or profound.

It's just the quicker people accept it, the quicker people may stop dooming and glooming change that has already been happening and will always happen.

It'll never stop as far as people are concerned with Microsoft. Every move they make is supposed to have left the industry in flames started way back in 2014 with EA Access. The doom and gloomers are actually the funniest lot because they have been concerned about the industry so long that they're probably afraid of their own shadow choking them to death in their sleep.

 

[Topher]

Just checking in and......

 

[Roxkis_ii]

It'll never stop as far as people are concerned with Microsoft. Every move they make is supposed to have left the industry in flames...

Nokia, Skype, Rare, and Halo fans:

 

[adamsapple]

Just checking in and......

 

[RedC]

It'll never stop as far as people are concerned with Microsoft. Every move they make is supposed to have left the industry in flames started way back in 2014 with EA Access. The doom and gloomers are actually the funniest lot because they have been concerned about the industry so long that they're probably afraid of their own shadow choking them to death in their sleep.

I think the thing that scares them is the days of Xbox being the butt of all jokes and in last place is likely over.

They are now an actual threat to the dominance of their favorites.

 

[Thirty7ven]

And why is that exactly?

Lmao holy shit John out there whispering the truth for anyone willing to hear it I guess

 

[Thirty7ven]

Or you know journalists and reviewers etc can just have integrity.

Right because you give your views and clicks, time and attention to credible sources and not these fucking shills that tell you what you want to hear.

 

[graywolf323]

They have already said Activision will continue to operate independently. Microsoft's internal 18 month contractor status is not applicable to them.

Activision will operate separately on a post-merger basis, Microsoft says

Activision Blizzard King's creative operations 'will remain separate and continue to operate' undisturbed on a post-merger basis, MSFT lawyers say.

www.tweaktown.com

is Mojang not subject to the 18-month contractor status? nothing in that article specifies they won't be subject to it, just that it sounds like they won't be rolled into XGS

And why is that exactly?

position of privilege? what?

 

[graywolf323]

edit: oops double post

 

[Bitmap Frogs]

I think the thing that scares them is the days of Xbox being the butt of all jokes and in last place is likely over.

They are now an actual threat to the dominance of their favorites.

Bro, many of us had 360's back when Microsoft dominated by contributing great games to this industry.

Buying out the largest publisher adds nothing to the industry.

 

[Thirty7ven]

position of privilege? what?

Freedom to say the truth without fear of financial repercussions.

 

[drganon]

is Mojang not subject to the 18-month contractor status? nothing in that article specifies they won't be subject to it, just that it sounds like they won't be rolled into XGS



position of privilege? what?

John is just digging that grave deeper.

 

[RedC]

Bro, many of us had 360's back when Microsoft dominated by contributing great games to this industry.

Buying out the largest publisher adds nothing to the industry.

Microsoft still contributes great games to this industry.

They now have more studios to execute it, thus raising their odds, probability, and statistics of achieving it.

 

[Varteras]

I think the thing that scares them is the days of Xbox being the butt of all jokes and in last place is likely over.

They are now an actual threat to the dominance of their favorites.

2019: With all these studios now, Xbox is making its comeback.

2021: With Microsoft owning Zenimax now, Xbox is making its comeback.

2023: With Microsoft owning Activision now, Xbox is making its comeback.

"Next year. Just you wait and see".

 

[Bitmap Frogs]

Microsoft still contributes great games to this industry.

They now have more studios to execute it, thus raising their odds, probability, and statistics of achieving it.

Buying a publisher and telling them to scrap the ps5 version is substracting, not adding.