Microsoft acquire Activision

chrismscotland · 14 Jul 2023 at 21:37

JUMPURS said:
It is unfair on consumers. Monopolies are not good. If you're a consumer who loves Sony first party games, then all of a sudden the largest franchise ever gets taken away from that platform and moves to MS it means if you want to play those games, you then need to buy another console.
I don't mind console manufacturers making their own games and releasing them for their own console, and now even Sony a are putting them out on PC which is great. I am against a company just buying up other devs to make the games exclusive. I mean, is there any competition if MS buy all the big game makers, Sony decide **** it I'm out, and all we are left with is MS? At which point there is no competition. That is communism and not capitalism which we are told is great.

I am surprised that the FTC lost the case tbh and really surprised the EU were supportive of the merger. I think the CMA probably thought at least one of them would stand with them, but I think the CMA will now have to back down and there will be some arbitrary concession made.

I am saying this as someone who owns a PS5 and a PC, and don't play COD so it's going to have little/no impact on me.

Its no different than it always was, back in the 90's, 00's there were always Console Exclusive games, if not even more than it is now.
Microsoft have already pledged that the games will remain on other platforms, I don't see the big deal.

If you want to play Gran Turismo, Ratchet & Clank, Uncharted or Final Fantasy you basically need to buy a Playstation, it astounds me that MS are being treated any differently.

Chuk_Chuk · 15 Jul 2023 at 00:43

chrismscotland said:
If you want to play Gran Turismo, Ratchet & Clank, Uncharted or Final Fantasy you basically need to buy a Playstation, it astounds me that MS are being treated any differently.

The difference here is all the games you’ve listed started as brand new franchises on the PlayStation and through time and work by the devs (and Sony) have become the huge brands that they are now. (Arguable when it comes to FF since it has come out on other platforms. )

MS squandered their lead from the Xbox 360 days. They’ve run Halo into the ground. I think gears and Forza are still doing well. Fable is AFK. And that’s all I can think of….
Xbox live is no longer the defacto premium online gaming experience, so that crown is gone as well.

Instead of working to rebuild themselves they are looking for a shortcut. People wouldn’t care if MS were building new IP.

Now here is the interesting question. If MS takes COD off the PlayStation will it kill the COD franchise?

Will people really try to convince their friends to buy a brand new console so they can play the next COD game together? Or are they just going to get there fix through other methods.

Sony has probably just greenlit a fast paced FPS game as a back up plan incase COD goes AWOL.

Fiocca · 15 Jul 2023 at 01:58

Chuk_Chuk said:
The difference here is all the games you’ve listed started as brand new franchises on the PlayStation and through time and work by the devs (and Sony) have become the huge brands that they are now. (Arguable when it comes to FF since it has come out on other platforms. )

MS squandered their lead from the Xbox 360 days. They’ve run Halo into the ground. I think gears and Forza are still doing well. Fable is AFK. And that’s all I can think of….
Xbox live is no longer the defacto premium online gaming experience, so that crown is gone as well.

Instead of working to rebuild themselves they are looking for a shortcut. People wouldn’t care if MS were building new IP.

Now here is the interesting question. If MS takes COD off the PlayStation will it kill the COD franchise?

Will people really try to convince their friends to buy a brand new console so they can play the next COD game together? Or are they just going to get there fix through other methods.

Sony has probably just greenlit a fast paced FPS game as a back up plan incase COD goes AWOL.

COD isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Not only that, this deal will put it on the switch and it's successor plus possibly cloud. That's even more choices for people to play it.

But I don't have an issue with this deal in any case. Sony use their market position to squeeze out competition by moneyhatting games with exclusivity deals left right and centre. How is it fair for consumers when a company uses it's dominant position to exclude a portion of gamers, yet when the competition way back in 3rd place(and still would be after this deal) makes moves to try and gain market share it's suddenly unfair?

I listened to the court case and the arguments against were flimsy and basically boiled down to the fact that Sony may possibly lose out a bit. But overall with the remedies ms has suggested, the consumer benefits quite a lot. That's not to say I'm all for consolidation, it would be nice if you could use whatever ecosystem or hardware you like and play anything, but that's not the world we currently live in. And as such, more competition against Sony and more choice for consumers is the next best thing for us.

The CMA are being anticompetitive too. If us UK Xbox owners end up getting an inferior product in comparison to the rest of the world then I'll be pretty ****** tbh. And it wouldn't be a good look to other businesses looking to operate here.

Chuk_Chuk · 15 Jul 2023 at 08:29

Fiocca said:
Sony use their market position to squeeze out competition by moneyhatting games with exclusivity deals left right and centre.

The only thing I am aware of are timed exclusivity deals on new IP. Are there any others?

Fiocca said:
But overall with the remedies ms has suggested, the consumer benefits quite a lot.

What remedies did they suggest and how do you know they won’t backtrack as soon as the deal is complete?

Fiocca · 15 Jul 2023 at 08:48

Chuk_Chuk said:
The only thing I am aware of are timed exclusivity deals on new IP. Are there any others?

What remedies did they suggest and how do you know they won’t backtrack as soon as the deal is complete?

There are tons of existing IP that get affected by exclusivity. That goes both ways but the latest example off the top of my head is FFxvi.

For remedies, they've signed a deal with Nintendo to bring cod to their hardware. Signed deals with a lot of small cloud gaming services to put games on them. Also gforce now will be getting a licence to stream their games.

They even swore by oath in court to keep cod multi platform for a minimum of 10 years. Probably some other things too.

chrismscotland · 15 Jul 2023 at 09:19

Chuk_Chuk said:
The difference here is all the games you’ve listed started as brand new franchises on the PlayStation and through time and work by the devs (and Sony) have become the huge brands that they are now. (Arguable when it comes to FF since it has come out on other platforms. )

MS squandered their lead from the Xbox 360 days. They’ve run Halo into the ground. I think gears and Forza are still doing well. Fable is AFK. And that’s all I can think of….
Xbox live is no longer the defacto premium online gaming experience, so that crown is gone as well.

Instead of working to rebuild themselves they are looking for a shortcut. People wouldn’t care if MS were building new IP.

Now here is the interesting question. If MS takes COD off the PlayStation will it kill the COD franchise?

Will people really try to convince their friends to buy a brand new console so they can play the next COD game together? Or are they just going to get there fix through other methods.

Sony has probably just greenlit a fast paced FPS game as a back up plan incase COD goes AWOL.

Microsoft have already said COD isn't going anywhere (legally) and will also be coming to Nintendo for the first time so I don't see the big deal.
Using "first party" exclusive like GT, etc was bad on my part, your right there are MS equivalents like Forza Motorsport (much like Sega had things like Sega GT back in the day).

However Sony has never been backward about throwing money around to buy studio's or pay for either timed exclusivity or total console exclusivity, heck even with COD there's been timed exclusivity for DLC in the recent past for PS owners.

I don't think MS are looking for a shortcut I believe they've got one eye on Gamepass and being able to offer up a big back catalogue of games, there's also a lot more to Activision then just COD which seems to get all the attention.

Frankly I've got a gaming PC and a Switch so for now this means little to me except maybe getting a few more games available on PC via Gamepass

sja360 · 15 Jul 2023 at 13:34

chrismscotland said:
I don't think MS are looking for a shortcut I believe they've got one eye on Gamepass and being able to offer up a big back catalogue of games, there's also a lot more to Activision then just COD which seems to get all the attention.

However what has microsoft really done with all these IP's and back catalogues? Nothing tbh look how long its taken to hear about fable.

I think microsoft cant produce anything anymore or don't want to so now they are buying up the development companies and publishers. Easy to do when you have money.

That's the issue for me. This capitalist society buying what they want mentality. Even a friend is moaning about the courts holding back the buyout yet i don't think he realises what the end game could result in if microsoft goes down the wrong avenue.

Either way i or you cant change anything immediately, unless we stop buying games / game pass or whatever they selling.

JUMPURS · 16 Jul 2023 at 19:00

chrismscotland said:
Its no different than it always was, back in the 90's, 00's there were always Console Exclusive games, if not even more than it is now.
Microsoft have already pledged that the games will remain on other platforms, I don't see the big deal.

If you want to play Gran Turismo, Ratchet & Clank, Uncharted or Final Fantasy you basically need to buy a Playstation, it astounds me that MS are being treated any differently.

The games you mention have been developed by Sony. Looking at the studios Sony set up or have acquired more than about 20 years ago, it's massive. MS don't have that and never really did.

I don't think MS are being treated differently. There would be a huge outcry if Sony were to buy EA or Take Two. The fact is, Activision Blizzard are the largest western publisher outside of console manufacturers and it should be causing controversy being bought.

I just don't think it is very good for competition, but the authorities do and it's up to them. I guess we will see.

n111ck · 16 Jul 2023 at 20:43

Other than COD, which is now guaranteed multi plat until we are all bored of it, what does MS actually get from buying Activision? Whats their next big console game? They seem so desperate to get the deal they have trashed the brand but unless they were allowed to take CoD away from PS what the point?

von Humboldt · 16 Jul 2023 at 22:06

Mobile gaming via King.

hyperseven · 17 Jul 2023 at 01:00

n111ck said:
Other than COD, which is now guaranteed multi plat until we are all bored of it, what does MS actually get from buying Activision? Whats their next big console game? They seem so desperate to get the deal they have trashed the brand but unless they were allowed to take CoD away from PS what the point?

Playing the long game. Why take it away, yet, when at least 70% of all PS income from this game will be funnelled back to Xbox?

Grim5 · 17 Jul 2023 at 01:21

Fiocca said:
COD isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Not only that, this deal will put it on the switch and it's successor plus possibly cloud. That's even more choices for people to play it.

But I don't have an issue with this deal in any case. Sony use their market position to squeeze out competition by moneyhatting games with exclusivity deals left right and centre. How is it fair for consumers when a company uses it's dominant position to exclude a portion of gamers, yet when the competition way back in 3rd place(and still would be after this deal) makes moves to try and gain market share it's suddenly unfair?

I listened to the court case and the arguments against were flimsy and basically boiled down to the fact that Sony may possibly lose out a bit. But overall with the remedies ms has suggested, the consumer benefits quite a lot. That's not to say I'm all for consolidation, it would be nice if you could use whatever ecosystem or hardware you like and play anything, but that's not the world we currently live in. And as such, more competition against Sony and more choice for consumers is the next best thing for us.

The CMA are being anticompetitive too. If us UK Xbox owners end up getting an inferior product in comparison to the rest of the world then I'll be pretty ****** tbh. And it wouldn't be a good look to other businesses looking to operate here.

Gonna be funny if all blizzard, Activision games get excluded from gamepass in the UK

Grim5 · 17 Jul 2023 at 01:22

Fiocca said:
There are tons of existing IP that get affected by exclusivity. That goes both ways but the latest example off the top of my head is FFxvi.

For remedies, they've signed a deal with Nintendo to bring cod to their hardware. Signed deals with a lot of small cloud gaming services to put games on them. Also gforce now will be getting a licence to stream their games.

They even swore by oath in court to keep cod multi platform for a minimum of 10 years. Probably some other things too.

So Sony signed a 10 year after Jim Ryan said he'd never sign a deal with Microsoft for call of duty. He saw the writing on the wall after the FTC failed and his big talk turned into little walk and he quickly picked up that pen and signed away. In fact the deal Jim just signed is WORSE than the deal Phil Spencer originally offered him - Phil originally offered a 10 year deal that would keep any Activision-Blizzard franchise that's already on PlayStation to continue coming to PlayStation, but the new deal Jim signed is only a 10 year deal for Call of Duty and Microsoft has no obligation to bring games like Elder Scrolls 6 to PS5

But it would still be in Microsoft's interest to keep publishing games on PS5, after all Microsoft is now the 2nd largest games publisher on the the PS5

n111ck · 17 Jul 2023 at 08:50

Having dug a hole where they have to put everything on game pass means MS probably won't be able to afford for any new big titles to be exclusive as it would be a massive loss of revenue. The other problem as well is there is no such thing as a true exclusive as everything is also on PC at launch unlike PS / Nintendo so you don't even have to buy an Xbox. All in all seems odd that they were so desperate.

McBain · 17 Jul 2023 at 09:58

That's all well and good if you have a capable PC.

Oh, lol by the way

n111ck said:
The deal is dead the only real question is whether it collapses this year or next.

n111ck · 17 Jul 2023 at 11:25

McBain said:
That's all well and good if you have a capable PC.

Oh, lol by the way

Well I'd imagine most on here (including me) do lol - assuming Starfield isn't crap no one is going to want the gimped 30fps version.

The deal hasn't gone through yet

and I dont think anyone could really have imagined the desperation on MS side to get this through.. presumably this wasn't just a desperate move to get content but actually needed to keep the brand alive.

Plainsong · 17 Jul 2023 at 11:39

I don’t have a PC. No interest in Game Pass, either.

n111ck · 17 Jul 2023 at 11:42

Plainsong said:
I don’t have a PC. No interest in Game Pass, either.

So will you purchase an Xbox (or PC) and game pass if MS make any Activision games Xbox / PC exclusive?

McPhee · 17 Jul 2023 at 11:49

Grim5 said:
Gonna be funny if all blizzard, Activision games get excluded from gamepass in the UK

It would be funny if flying pigs suddenly rained from the sky. But that won't be happening either.

The CMA's opposition to the merger concerned cloud gaming. That is where the axe will fall. It's likely that Microsoft's cloud gaming offering in the UK will be gimped somehow. Or, if Microsoft are very, very lucky, the CMA change their stance and decide to accept a similar resolution to the Sony deal (i.e. a commitment to Activision Blizzard's games catalogue remaining on multiple cloud platforms for an agreed duration).

Personally, I'm expecting something like "xCloud" being restricted to just Xbox consoles in the UK, maybe with an option (or even a requirement) to license the underlying technology and games catalogue to a third party for use on other platforms (e.g. "BT Cloud Gaming, powered by Xbox").

Plainsong · 17 Jul 2023 at 17:25

n111ck said:
So will you purchase an Xbox (or PC) and game pass if MS make any Activision games Xbox / PC exclusive?

Nah I’m good with what the PS5 and Switch give me. I quite like the Diablo series from Blizzard so would be disappointed if I lost access to that but not enough to make me buy another console and a sub just to play it. CoD hasn’t interested me for a long time.