Microsoft-Activision-Blizzard Discussion Thread |OT3| - Sony bends the knee!

[AllianceOfficer]

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[DeAd3yE]

@AllianceOfficer

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dang its big if its true

[peter42O]

Personally, I think what Microsoft does is all about the EU decision in May. If they approve, then they’ll go forward with appealing the CMA decision but if EU blocks, I can’t imagine Microsoft trying to overturn two regulators and still fighting FTC. Just no way. Plus, this shit can last up to three years. This shit is never ever going to end. UGH.

[Shadowgasm]

I know MS wouldn’t do this (because Phil is too nice), but in the likely event this deal doesn’t go through, I do wonder how much it would cost to make CoD exclusive to Xbox for the next 10 years. It’s not something I would personally want or advocate for, but I’ll admit it would very amusing.

[proelitedota (Andrew)]

@AllianceOfficer

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Is that what Kotick said?

That’s going to get Lina in more trouble than she current is. But I doubt the CMA was influenced at all by her.

[Jerm411 (Jeremy)]

Oh yea ole reliable Bobby Kotick….totally believe what that scumbag says.

[Zappy5]

@proelitedota

I dont agree with that they refused to bend. Reading the final report they went great length to explore the behavioral remedy, most so than in any other prohibited deal.

Ultimately the behavioral remedy didn’t work because MS was unwilling to accept some of the CMA’s asks.

I think as some had said the CMA will always politely listen to what is being offered and engage. Then slam the door shut if they don’t like it.

I suspect the situation was more that the CMA said ‘in order to meet our tests the remedy would need to do x,y and z’ and MS couldn’t make that work - the CMA remedy test is pretty much steering towards permanent structural remedies.

[proelitedota (Andrew)]

Also on the subject of irrationality, CAT has sent cases for remittal based on the CMA not taking evidence into consideration or making the wrong conclusion on points contrary to conclusion.

I don’t think the fact that the CMA doesn’t give different judgement in the remittal is true. It’s more like there hasn’t been a case where that happened.

[AllianceOfficer]

@Zappy5

I think as some had said the CMA will always politely listen to what is being offered and engage. Then slam the door shut if they don’t like it.

I suspect the situation was more that the CMA said ‘in order to meet our tests the remedy would need to do x,y and z’ and MS couldn’t make that work - the CMA remedy test is pretty much steering towards permanent structural remedies.

No, they essentially said that no contracts or agreements can be trusted. They use the same type of language the FTC did in that regard. They outright dismiss anything Microsoft did as trustworthy.

The CMA has no shed of credibility after this.

[proelitedota (Andrew)]

@AllianceOfficer

No, they essentially said that no contracts or agreements can be trusted. They use the same type of language the FTC did in that regard. They outright dismiss anything Microsoft did as trustworthy.

The CMA has no shed of credibility after this.

Was this in the final report?

[Hue]

@jasheeldz

If you want to hear Brad Smith furious, and feel his fire and anger, there is a podcast on the BBC (that might not be available everywhere)

I get the impression the host was simply trying to rule him up for a reaction.

[strawman]

@proelitedota

Was this in the final report?

Yes, page 161 an onwards.

[cinste (Pete)]

@anon85340516

Why can’t they use the cloud argument for any studio acquisition going forward?.

Well for 1 if the deal doesn’t fit the CMA criteria they won’t be looking at it in the first place and 2. as Zappy said much lower number of much less critical (probably) IP.

There are many valid arguments about this outcome but tis ain’t one of them.

Just look at all the smaller Sony (dominant market leader) acquisitions going off without a peep from CMA.

[KakkaKarrotKake]

@Jerm411

Oh yea ole reliable Bobby Kotick….totally believe what that scumbag says.

Just because he’s a scumbag doesn’t mean he’s lying, assuming he’s actually said the above

The FTC/Khan have already shown they are abusing their power so it’s not exactly far fetched

[Dom]

This isn’t the first time a major acquisition got blocked, i.e. AT&T and Time Warner. MS will win in court or do workarounds in the UK (i.e. not have activision cloud games in UK). There is absolutely no way MS or Activision walks away from the deal and pay 3 billion dollars .

[Jerm411 (Jeremy)]

@KakkaKarrotKake

Just because he’s a scumbag doesn’t mean he’s lying, assuming he’s actually said the above

The FTC/Khan have already shown they are abusing their power so it’s not exactly far fetched

Uh huh….big clutching at straws energy coming from him.

[Arthur_Garton]

@Jerm411

Uh huh….big clutching at straws energy coming from him.

To be fair Lina did put words in the EU’s mouth in December. I think Kotick is talking balls as usual but it wouldn’t surprise me if she did intervene.

[proelitedota (Andrew)]

@Dom

This isn’t the first time a major acquisition got blocked, i.e. AT&T and Time Warner. MS will win in court or do workarounds in the UK (i.e. not have activision cloud games in UK). There is absolutely no way MS or Activision walks away from the deal and pay 3 billion dollars .

AT&T and Time Warner happened before Brexit.

I do think that if an appeal doesn’t work. MS should seriously think about legal loop holes to isolate UK their UK business and avoid triggering any infractions.

[AllianceOfficer]

@proelitedota

Was this in the final report?

Yes

[Haven (Victor)]

@Arthur_Garton

To be fair Lina did put words in the EU’s mouth in December. I think Kotick is talking balls as usual but it wouldn’t surprise me if she did intervene.

She is British.