Microsoft-Activision-Blizzard Discussion Thread |OT2| The NeverEnding Acquisition

[Frost]

@fort96

Microsoft really needs to drop this deal imo. I know they’re looking for a strong foothold to enter the mobile market with King with the Activision acquisition, but that’s clearly not an option at this point. I already believe that Xbox has been neglected a lot in the last year in focusing on securing this acquisition, but I think it’s a lost cause to continue to persist.

If the CMA didn’t block I could see hope but they are the one regulator you don’t want to oppose your deal

[AtticusFincher]

@Lil_Bai

I don’t wanna be pessimistic, but even if MS wins the appeal, how can they convince CMA to change their mind and approve it?

If Microsoft wins the CAT appeal the CMA cannot use their cloud reasoning to block the deal therefore they would have to approve because they’ve already dropped console in their previous ruling. At least that’s how I think it works, I’m probably wrong on that.

[floop]

@AtticusFincher

If Microsoft wins the CAT appeal the CMA cannot use their cloud reasoning to block the deal therefore they would have to approve because they’ve already dropped console in their previous ruling. At least that’s how I think it works, I’m probably wrong on that.

Don’t they just redo their assessment on whatever finding they blocked on?

[Frost]

@floop

Don’t they just redo their assessment on whatever finding they blocked on?

Yes it’s what happened with the Facebook case and they ended up coming to the same conclusion after the appeal

[spyteam]

I just want a new skylanders game

[RagiBaal]

Yeah after thinking about this I still believe this will go through

Why did CMA drop the console concern? Because it would have been nuked by CAT, so focus solely on cloud

A nuanced market in its infancy may be harder to appeal but its still well within the realm of irrationality and will likely get thrown out by CAT

I also fully expect the appeal to get expedited

[PCPrincipal]

Guys how would you feel If the current US govt sides with the FTC on this deal.

[TheLegendaryGamer]

@fort96

Microsoft really needs to drop this deal imo. I know they’re looking for a strong foothold to enter the mobile market with King with the Activision acquisition, but that’s clearly not an option at this point. I already believe that Xbox has been neglected a lot in the last year in focusing on securing this acquisition, but I think it’s a lost cause to continue to persist.

Agree. MS can still buy a bunch of smaller Pub’s and Studio’s, together will add up, Embracer style.

They appeal this? how longer will it take? and it might fail again. Already lost over a year to this with nothing to show for it.

All in the meantime losing out on other deals and acquisition opportunity.

[RagiBaal]

@PCPrincipal

Guys how would you feel If the current US govt sides with the FTC on this deal.

Its not up to them, its up to the courts

[Popppi (Phil Spencer's shelf)]

@Zappy5

Do I think MS should appeal? Probably.

Is an appeal good for Xbox as a brand? Absolutely not.

Xbox really need to find a way to move on here - because another 6 months of talking about this is disastrous. They need to start talking about positives.

I do not understand how this would hurt xbox.

People outside the core gaming bubble aren’t really talking about this.

If MS releases good games and services this doesn’t really matter.

[drakel (akis)]

I’ve been away for a while waiting for this and this isn’t the news I hoped to come back to unfortunately.

I’m not gonna guess anything like a lot of people are doing because so far, 99.9% of our guesses in here have gone down the drain. What I will say is that a whole lot of people are about to lose a whole lot of money sadly.

Also I 100% agree with a point @Zappy5 made, even if they continue chasing this, they need to move on from it as far as we’re concerned, work on it in the background but don’t have this as your main focus, show games, maybe get some small studios, get timed exclusivities, but don’t be silent until your next statement about how the appeal is going, that’s a bad look on the Xbox brand and it’s been going on since this acquisition was first announced.

[anon85340516]

People talking about the Xbox brand live on Twitter and forums. It will be fine lol. You guys won’t be talking after e3.

[Daniel]

@fort96

Microsoft really needs to drop this deal imo. I know they’re looking for a strong foothold to enter the mobile market with King with the Activision acquisition, but that’s clearly not an option at this point. I already believe that Xbox has been neglected a lot in the last year in focusing on securing this acquisition, but I think it’s a lost cause to continue to persist.

This is long term planning, meaning it short sighted to be worried about present when it comes to this deal. They wouldn’t be doing all this fuss if it wasn’t worth it to them and they know how things will play out way more than us.

[RagiBaal]

@Frost

Yes it’s what happened with the Facebook case and they ended up coming to the same conclusion after the appeal

Meta and Giphy was appealed off procedural errors which is why the deal still got blockrd

MS ABK appeal would be based off irrationality on this case blocking off a non existent market that has a million different variables , this is the type of argument that CAT would throw in the trash

[TheLegendaryGamer]

@anon85340516

People talking about the Xbox brand live on Twitter and forums. It will be fine lol. You guys won’t be talking after e3.

They better show some banger? if not, another year wasted just like this Deal.

[PCPrincipal]

@RagiBaal

Its not up to them, its up to the courts

But lets say if the courts side with FTC and block the deal, how would you feel?

[Vivir]

Mat Piscatella

[RagiBaal]

@fort96

. I already believe that Xbox has been neglected a lot in the last year in focusing on securing this acquisition, but I think it’s a lost cause to continue to persist.

As much as it pains me to say this, Xbox and consoles are at the bottom of the list of priorities

PC, Cloud and mobile are all taking priority over consoles

We are absolutely 4th class citizens and i dont blame MS, console market has peaked and is never going above 200M

[RagiBaal]

@PCPrincipal

But lets say if the courts side with FTC and block the deal, how would you feel?

That would be surprising and incredibly stupid

[euV2]

The CMA reasoning is so dumb, so many weak hypothetical points made, punishing Xcloud for being an innovator.

Yeah, its is Xbox’s fault that their two biggest rivals decided to sleep on cloud, how many relevant cloud subscriptions even are there that offer games included like xcloud, CMA decision looked pre-determined, cloud was what they though could give them best chance to block appeal at court, so they dropped the console concerns.

Inept people at the CMA, not understanding the games market.

Even though MS will appeal, the process is going to take some time and all the excitement for this deal is in the mud currently lol.