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

[Mort]

Are we back to this discussion again?

Jfc.

[Sparda3g]

It goes without saying, they know what’s next more than we do.

[Shadowgasm]

@Mort

Are we back to this discussion again?

Jfc.

[Whistler]

Here’s may take. MS will probably close soon, not necessarily by the 18th but soon even if it mean closing over the CMA. I don’t think the CMA has the trust or leverage at this stage to say “Oh this deal looks okay now that the FTC lost their bid for a PI and appeal, we’ll just need a few months to look it over, honest.” In the case of prolonging this, MS is better off getting into more legal battles after the fact because they’ll just have more evidence on their side as a combined entity. Honoring their deals and growth of cloud competitors or honoring their deals and lack of growth of cloud competitors, it works both ways. Switch 2 might be announced w/ COD in development, Sony will continue to be fine, etc…

That said, I think the CMA was mostly just backing up the FTC. They’ll probably take some sort of “win” and let it go.

[peter42O]

@TheLegendaryGamer

Maybe they can drop all of the ABK Console games on Xbox into Gamepass first, then do the PC Side later. No need to make the console player wait for the PC side.

I agree but I think they’ll do it all at the same time. But we’ll see. All I know is that we’re getting Diablo IV on Game Pass at some point so im happy.

@Knottian

I’ve never liked the “GaaS will be multiplatform by default” argument for the very reasons you’ve already mentioned. At the end of the day, Phil and co are going to do a cost analysis on the tangible merits (money) vs intangible merits (influence of draw on GP subs/Xbox brand) of any game, and like we’ll see GaaS exclusives from Bethesda, so shall we from ABK (and some will likely be multiplatform, so the best of both worlds). Regardless, the revenue that will be brought in for Microsoft Gaming will be huge, and will ensure the effective safety of Xbox - both in the market at large, and at Microsoft proper.

Agreed. Outside of COD, I don’t really see any other co-op/multi-player IP being worth it for Microsoft to make multi-platform simply because they would gain more by having it all be exclusive in order to increase the user install base. And if Microsoft eliminates Gold at some point this generation which I believe they will, then even more reason to keep them exclusive because you would want as many people to jump into Xbox as possible.

Any real threat of Xbox dying ended in late 2017 once Spencer got promoted and convinced Nadella to treat Xbox as a main component of Microsoft. Even if someone wanted to still argue this, Bethesda acquisition shut them up and ABK knocked them out. lol

XBOX BABY!!!

[TheLegendaryGamer]

@peter42O

I agree but I think they’ll do it all at the same time. But we’ll see. All I know is that we’re getting Diablo IV on Game Pass at some point so im happy.

If they do it all at once than it will take a while longer.

The options available are great though. You can buy the game day one if you want, or buy later when on sale, or wait for it to be on Gamepass. You can sub to Gamepass all year, or sub to gamepass for a month or even just 14 days and play/beat the game. The choices are great.

It’s why anyone against this deal saying it will hurt consumer are talking bullshit lol. This is great for consumer. We pay less with more choices.

[pg2g]

@peter42O

I agree but I think they’ll do it all at the same time. But we’ll see. All I know is that we’re getting Diablo IV on Game Pass at some point so im happy.

You not playing a game Day One is so weird

[AllianceOfficer]

You dont get many chances to close a 70 billion dollar acquisition. If you can, then you should do it. They waited 18 months and its been next to dead at points. The certainty on being able to close exists right now, so theres no point in taking any chances or risks of it falling through or getting caught up in further legal challenges.

[QuietGamer90 (Tawsif (Rafee))]

@AllianceOfficer

You dont get many chances to close a 70 billion dollar acquisition. If you can, then you should do it. They waited 18 months and its been next to dead at points. The certainty on b3ing able to close exists right now, so theres no point in taking any chances or risks of it falling through or getting caught up in further legal challenges.

At this point, it is a more likely matter of when it is closing, NOT if.

IMO, I do not think ABK would have an issue with extending the merger agreement if it is a matter of weeks, not months.

Also, there is a CAT case management hearing on Monday. I do not think CMA will try to pull off any more shenanigans after being lambasted by CAT for trying to delay the hearing beyond summer.

Also, someone can correct me, but even if the 9th Circuit Appeals Court grants FTC an appeal, the decision would not come out until late 2023. It would become a moot point as the merger would be closed by then.

[sociallyantisocial (Kristoffer Ferman)]

@QuietGamer90

At this point, it is a more likely matter of when it is closing, NOT if.

IMO, I do not think ABK would have an issue with extending the merger agreement if it is a matter of weeks, not months.

Also, there is a CAT case management hearing on Monday. I do not think CMA will try to pull off any more shenanigans after being lambasted by CAT for trying to delay the hearing beyond summer.

Also, someone can correct me, but even if the 9th Circuit Appeals Court grants FTC an appeal, the decision would not come out until late 2023. It would become a moot point as the merger would be closed by then.

Your read is the correct read with all available public knowledge and fact of law.

[Sydle]

@QuietGamer90

At this point, it is a more likely matter of when it is closing, NOT if.

IMO, I do not think ABK would have an issue with extending the merger agreement if it is a matter of weeks, not months.

Also, there is a CAT case management hearing on Monday. I do not think CMA will try to pull off any more shenanigans after being lambasted by CAT for trying to delay the hearing beyond summer.

This. I think the CMA got a wake up call over their approach to this merger. While they are an independent organization, everyone answers to someone and, valuing their independence, determined it was in their best interest to work towards finding working solutions where possible.

Seeing the FTC get wrecked probably had UK officials in positions of power, those with the ability to drive change in the role and responsibility of the CMA, give the right kind of nudges to the CMA to play ball.

While anything is possible, it seems like the CMA being alone on an island at the moment would make it very unlikely this deal gets blocked.

[howlingmosquito (mosquito)]

Gonna guess. Ms and CMA have already agreed something in principle allowing the deal to close Monday/Tuesday. Paperwork will take a few weeks, but thats all.

[No-1HoloLens-Fan]

We may speculate all we want… But MS and ABK executives would have already made the decision on whether to close the deal or not by now.

I am not interested in the deal anymore. It is a done deal now.

My attention is on gamepass announcement now.

[Zappy5]

@AllianceOfficer

You dont get many chances to close a 70 billion dollar acquisition. If you can, then you should do it. They waited 18 months and its been next to dead at points. The certainty on being able to close exists right now, so theres no point in taking any chances or risks of it falling through or getting caught up in further legal challenges.

There aren’t risks at least not ones that aren’t managed now. If the CMA won’t let the deal close till they have completed their final order then MS don’t have a choice. Closing over the CMA for the sake of weeks would look incredibly bad would potentially lead to the CMA taking action and maybe even add risk to the deal being forcibly unwound. It also seriously hurts MS reputation for future deals. MS clearly want to protect their reputation hence their recent PR push to say they want to work with regulators…

It’s a matter of when now and if the CMA can’t or won’t allow it early then you just wait. A few weeks and it’s done without controversy or potential fallout.

[Andodalf]

Waiting a month now could speed the sega deal up 6

[Privat33r]

@FacelessSamurai

There is nothing on the scale of COD unfortunately. And while Sony could push to get battlefield marketing rights, MS has a good relationship with EA and might push to have it as well and make Xbox THE de facto shooter console. There is also the bad reputation battlefield has built with the last few games and people will be reticent to buy the next title, no matter who has marketing rights for it.

There could always be a console release of Valorant in the future although I doubt that’d go exclusive anywhere and I don’t know what numbers it’s pulling but to me it seems like it’s behind overwatch and cod in numbers but I could be wrong.

xdefiant enters the room

[Staffy]

Speaking of CoD, I guess a new one isn’t coming this year after all?

I recall that at first it was said there would be no new CoD this year and more like an expansion on last year’s game. But then earlier this year I recall articles saying a new one was coming after all.

So far nothing though, guess not.

[lunanto]

Could it be that CMA’s new attitude is a bluff and a trick to further delay the resolution and try to cause harm?

I am starting to see some of your points, MS should be wary in any case.

[KlausHergershimer]

@Staffy

Speaking of CoD, I guess a new one isn’t coming this year after all?

I recall that at first it was said there would be no new CoD this year and more like an expansion on last year’s game. But then earlier this year I recall articles saying a new one was coming after all.

So far nothing though, guess not.

There’s definitely a new one coming out this year. They were reportedly going to just do a large DLC instead of a full game, but opted to go back to a full, Sledgehammer developed game. Some NBA players apparently were invited to see it last week.

[EAGLE9388XB1 (Mike)]

@KlausHergershimer

There’s definitely a new one coming out this year. They were reportedly going to just do a large DLC instead of a full game, but opted to go back to a full, Sledgehammer developed game. Some NBA players apparently were invited to see it last week.

Next year Xbox Game Showcase is going to be nuts with XGS, Bethesda, and ABK plus whatever new studios they add after ABK