Support NeoGAF

[DeadOblivion78]

The publisher apparently makes no “must have” games.

“There is nothing unique about the video games developed and published by Activision Blizzard that is a ‘must have’ for rival PC and console video game distributors that give rise to a foreclosure concern,” the company says in the document.

Microsoft negs Activision Blizzard to push through $68.7 billion acquisition

Microsoft is taking an interesting approach to secure regulatory approval for its acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

www.engadget.com

 

[Kagey K]

The publisher apparently makes no “must have” games.

http://[URL][URL]https://www.engadget.com/microsoft-negs-activision-blizzard-172152190.html

[/URL][/URL]

Nintendo can be used as a clear example of that point.

They don't have CoD on thier system and are doing well, therefore CoD is not a must have for your business to survive.

It's the difference between "wants" and "needs."

 

[DeaDPo0L84]

I wish Sony would stop worrying about creating a CoD clone and finally give SOCOM the love it deserves. It may not be as big as CoD but it'd be a huge success on their platform just like it was back in the day, even more so today with it being such a huge mp environment.

 

[Dr. Wilkinson]

Sony definitely wouldn't mind if the Xbox/ Activision deal fell through, right? In no scenario does it help them, it would only stand to benefit Xbox. Sony's got nothing to lose by saying/ thinking this. Water is wet!

 

[Ass of Can Whooping]

Nintendo can be used as a clear example of that point.

They don't have CoD on thier system and are doing well, therefore CoD is not a must have for your business to survive.

It's the difference between "wants" and "needs."

Nintendo doesn't need any of the big third party publishers to survive. They could all go bankrupt and it wouldn't make a difference

Sony does.

 

[DaGwaphics]

Sony definitely wouldn't mind if the Xbox/ Activision deal fell through, right? In no scenario does it help them, it would only stand to benefit Xbox. Sony's got nothing to lose by saying/ thinking this. Water is wet!

I'm not sure. The bigger of deal Sony makes it the more impactful the acquisition can be. Apparently, Sony thinks CoD is the best thing since sliced bread.

Especially today when sites are more than willing to scour the legal documents to get these statements out in the public.

 

[Dolomite]

 

[Dr. Wilkinson]

I'm not sure. The bigger of deal Sony makes it the more impactful the acquisition can be. Apparently, Sony thinks CoD is the best thing since sliced bread.

Well, sales-wise that is a true statement. LOL

 

[Ass of Can Whooping]

I'm not sure. The bigger of deal Sony makes it the more impactful the acquisition can be. Apparently, Sony thinks CoD is the best thing since sliced bread.

Goes both way. Sony wants to make it as big as a deal as they can. It's the best game ever

Microsoft wants to downplay it's importance as much as they can. It's not even a must have. Nothing unique about COD, Diablo, or WoW. I'd rather play with shit

 

[pasterpl]

The publisher apparently makes no “must have” games.

http://[URL]https://www.engadget.com/microsoft-negs-activision-blizzard-172152190.html

[/URL]

They should have just send links to COD OT here on neogaf. /s

 

[anthraticus]

Still with this same CoD stuff after all these years ? lol

AAA gaming is such a complete shitshow.

 

[Calling 911 Melts Beams]

nobody at sony has played the hit sony ps3 video game haze?

 

[Sgt.Asher]

I thought battlefield was getting close, then Dice decided to shit the bed and roll in it.

 

[ManaByte]

I thought battlefield was getting close, then Dice decided to shit the bed and roll in it.

 

[reksveks]

I am not confident enough to given any advice but I think you will see a decline/flat revenue growth at best (might depend on Diablo immortal). I think COD Warzone and Fortnite is showing real weakness this year relatively to last one. Not sure what the market is expecting though.

Fredrik The A in ABK really shat the bed this quarter. King did increase but hard to overcome an almost 35% YoY drop.

MS to quickly ship these numbers to every regulatory body in the world

 

[//DEVIL//]

Well, they have also been pretty clear with the message they put out about Bungie games availability on which platforms. They didn't play with their wordings, didn't talk about conditionals or contracts, they simply said they will be available on all platforms including rival ones and they also clarified any of their future IP would also be. Sony themselves didn't name Xbox, but Bungie did in their FAQs. Not exactly the same situation.

MS did the same thing. they said they will make COD on all platform. this is just a bitter sore loser sony in action here. they are higher than that wtf with this low-ball shit.

 

[Ass of Can Whooping]

MS did the same thing. they said they will make COD on all platform. this is just a bitter sore loser sony in action here. they are higher than that wtf with this low-ball shit.

They answered a question. Good lord

 

[Fredrik]

Fredrik The A in ABK really shat the bed this quarter. King did increase but hard to overcome an almost 35% YoY drop.

MS to quickly ship these numbers to every regulatory body in the world

As I said, like every other trader I’ll say something if I do buy and things go well… and say nothing if I do buy and things go south………..

 

[sainraja]

MS did the same thing. they said they will make COD on all platform. this is just a bitter sore loser sony in action here. they are higher than that wtf with this low-ball shit.

Nah, their messaging has not been as direct as Sony/Bungie's has been regarding platform availability. The only thing that has sort of come close is that blog post where they said they will continue to put COD on all platforms based on current agreements and beyond those agreements but that's still not very clear and leaves the option after the current agreements to them. Sony/Bungie have simply said that it will be and future IPs will continue to be available. Yes, Sony/Bungie can also change their minds given how dynamic the market is, but their communication hasn't been that.

 

[Kagey K]

As I said, like every other trader I’ll say something if I do buy and things go well… and say nothing if I do buy and things go south………..

At least you still have the 95.00 safety net when the deal clears.

 

[reksveks]

As I said, like every other trader I’ll say something if I do buy and things go well… and say nothing if I do buy and things go south………..

Imo the deal and the possibility of it going ahead does mean that you aren't likely to see big drops at the moment.

After hours is currently up somehow.

 

[Fredrik]

At least you still have the 95.00 safety net when the deal clears.

It’s spiking in the after market too, Yay to 2022’s irrational stock market roller coaster!

 

[Ass of Can Whooping]

Imo the deal and the possibility of it going ahead does mean that you aren't likely to see big drops at the moment.

After hours is currently up somehow.

Yeah, fundamentals mean nothing now. It'll continue to move sideways until there's certainity with the deal.

 

[Vaelka]

I think CoD is just one of these games that are so deeply inbedded into the industry that none will take it's place anytime soon.
It's like a habit and instinct people have to buy the games.

 

[reksveks]

Hmm, well guess people were expecting a big drop so the analysts/investors were happy. I wasn't expecting that big a drop but King really saved them.

https://venturebeat.com/2022/08/01/...-financial-targets-with-q2-bookings-of-1-64b/

Good point about King bucking the mobile trend.

 

[HoofHearted]

yeesh - this thread is still going? what else is there to talk about on this deal that hasn't already been said???

 

[//DEVIL//]

Nah, their messaging has not been as direct as Sony/Bungie's has been regarding platform availability. The only thing that has sort of come close is that blog post where they said they will continue to put COD on all platforms based on current agreements and beyond those agreements but that's still not very clear and leaves the option after the current agreements to them. Sony/Bungie have simply said that it will be and future IPs will continue to be available. Yes, Sony/Bungie can also change their minds given how dynamic the market is, but their communication hasn't been that.

What ? Dude the president of whole MS said it's gonna be on all platform including the switch as a target
How more of a clear message you want ?

 

[Ozriel]

Why are we now considering "theories" when we have 30 years of history to work with?

When one company has been absolutely ruthless in paying to keep third party content away from competing platforms, I’m not sure if it’s wise to pretend they wouldn’t purchase big publishers for exclusive content if they could.

They also tried to buy Leyou in 2020 before Tencent swooped in and hijacked the sale. A f Leyou was a $1+bn publisher.

 

[sainraja]

What ? Dude the president of whole MS said it's gonna be on all platform including the switch as a target
How more of a clear message you want ?

I haven't seen where that was said then...care to share? You could probably PM me that if you feel like it would be off-topic.

 

[saturnalian]

The publisher apparently makes no “must have” games.

Microsoft negs Activision Blizzard to push through $68.7 billion acquisition

Microsoft is taking an interesting approach to secure regulatory approval for its acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

www.engadget.com

If this ALONE doesn't make you absolutely despise Microsoft, nothing will. What a fucking disgusting company. Nothing is off limits for these putrid executives.

It was funny back in the day when EA got the "worst company of the year" award, but now MS deserves it way more.

 

[sainraja]

If this ALONE doesn't make you absolutely despise Microsoft, nothing will. What a fucking disgusting company.

It was funny back in the day when EA got the "worst company of the year" award, but now MS deserves it way more.

Lol. Now watch the Xbox leaning people defend this.

It is clear to me (as the article highlights too) why they are saying this. Same way it is clear why Sony is saying no one can make a proper competitor to COD (time/effort, too big, etc) — if for no other reason, then looking out for their own interests. You don't have to like Call of Duty to know how big of a brand it is. Companies have already tried to match its success and Fortnite is probably the only one that has come close or surpassed it.

 

[DaGwaphics]

Lol. Now watch the Xbox leaning people defend this.

Nothing to defend. LOL From a legal standpoint it's simply a basic factual statement. What video game console or distributor would face foreclosure without these games? Steam seems to be doing okay without distributing CoD, Nintendo is doing okay without these games as well. There is no game or publisher that is important enough to make that big of an impact.

 

[sainraja]

Nothing to defend. LOL From a legal standpoint it's simply a basic factual statement. What video game console or distributor would face foreclosure without these games? Steam seems to be doing okay without distributing CoD, Nintendo is doing okay without these games as well. There is no game or publisher that is important enough to make that big of an impact.

^^ lol nothing to defend yet you go on to do just that.

The argument you are making in favor of their statement can also be made of the statement Sony has made. But the reason they both are saying what they are saying is very clear. Microsoft wants the deal to go through so they will try to minimize the impact acquiring A&B will have and Sony doesn't want it to go through so they will try to say the opposite of that - they want to highlight the maximum impact doing that by MS could have. What type of impact it can or cannot have in reality or the number of possible ways it could play out isn't relevant to understand why both companies are saying what they are.

 

[Ass of Can Whooping]

Nothing to defend. LOL From a legal standpoint it's simply a basic factual statement. What video game console or distributor would face foreclosure without these games? Steam seems to be doing okay without distributing CoD, Nintendo is doing okay without these games as well. There is no game or publisher that is important enough to make that big of an impact.

Sony does okay without pokemon too. Doesn't change the fact that it'd hurt Nintendo if they lost it someday

 

[reksveks]

If this ALONE doesn't make you absolutely despise Microsoft, nothing will. What a fucking disgusting company. Nothing is off limits for these putrid executives.

It was funny back in the day when EA got the "worst company of the year" award, but now MS deserves it way more.

It's almost if you fell for not reading the whole sentence.

Also its lawyers and it is the same as the maths that Sony's lawyers was doing in their reply to the Brazilian regulators.

Companies going to be companies and they have no problem being hypocritical.

Maybe I have a different understanding of despise or different standards. I despise companies over-pricing essentials items.

 

[sainraja]

Sony does okay without pokemon too. Doesn't change the fact that it'd hurt Nintendo if they lost it someday

Yup — downplaying COD's impact on gaming and it's place overall is just silly. Most people I know only had a console for playing COD, that's all. But I mean, I understand why both companies are making their respective statements.

 

[DaGwaphics]

^^ lol nothing to defend yet you go on to do just that.

The argument you are making in favor of their statement can also be made of the statement Sony has made. But the reason they both are saying what they are saying is very clear. Microsoft wants the deal to go through so they will try to minimize the impact acquiring A&B will have and Sony doesn't want it to go through so they will try to say the opposite of that. What type of impact it can or cannot have isn't relevant to understand why both companies are saying what they are.

MS statement is more realistic though because that is simply the real-world conditions. CoD might sell very well, but if it suddenly ceased to exist, the status quo would still move forward.

The idea that Activision has secret sauce that no other developer can compete with is never never land material.

 

[sainraja]

MS statement is more realistic though because that is simply the real-world conditions. CoD might sell very well, but if it suddenly ceased to exist, the status quo would still move forward.

The idea that Activision has secret sauce that no other developer can compete with is never never land material.

Sure, sure....sure it is.

 

[saturnalian]

Nothing to defend. LOL From a legal standpoint it's simply a basic factual statement.

No, it's a legal loophole that M$, being the money slut that they are, will wring that fucker dry and more.

 

[Genx3]

Sony being a bitch basically. Lame.

Pretty much this^^^
What hypocritical thing to do especially after buying SF5 exclusivity and then following it up with long time Xbox partner Bungie.

Sony are FOS.

 

[//DEVIL//]

I haven't seen where that was said then...care to share? You could probably PM me that if you feel like it would be off-topic.

Microsoft Says Call of Duty Is Staying on PlayStation. Activision Stock Rose.

Microsoft said it's committed to releasing Call of Duty games on rival Sony Group's platforms if regulators approved its acquisition of Activision Blizzard, owner of the franchise.

www.barrons.com

or

Microsoft’s president says ‘we want to bring Call of Duty to Switch’ | VGC

Brad Smith says Xbox’s acquisition of Activision will mean bringing existing franchises to Nintendo’s console…

www.videogameschronicle.com

It was a big interview with CNBC

many other links too. this is Just sony being bitter and a sad loser in these claims. Honestly just when you think this Sony company can't go any lower in class and communication, they somehow manage to do it.

They have the best-talented studios in the world bar none, including the guys that made halo what it is, and they are bitter about MS buying COD by claiming this shit? lol they can fuck off.

 

[nikolino840]

Spend your money carefully, lads.

Gone...what was?

 

[Kagey K]

Gone...what was?

Don't buy CoD this year or ever or you are supporting Microsoft instead of Sony first party - @Bryank

Paraphrased but it's close to what he said.

 

[sainraja]

http://[URL][URL]https://www.barrons.com/articles/microsoft-activision-xbox-ps5-51644449435

[/URL][/URL]
or

http://[URL][URL]https://www.videog...says-we-want-to-bring-call-of-duty-to-switch/

[/URL][/URL]

It was a big interview with CNBC

many other links too. this is Just sony being bitter and a sad loser in these claims. Honestly just when you think this Sony company can't go any lower in class and communication, they somehow manage to do it.

They have the best-talented studios in the world bare none, including the guys that made halo what its, and you are bitter about MS buying COD by claiming this shit? lol they can fuck off.

The source of both those articles is the blog post that I already acknowledged — I understand that Microsoft stated they plan to continue to release those titles beyond the existing agreements. That's all they said and Microsoft's duplicity in the past with Bethesda shows what they say and do isn't always the same. Regardless, whatever the case may be, they can both change their plans later depending on things that we might not even be able to predict.

As for what Sony is being/not being. It's clear to me why they made this statement and MS has now also made a similarish statement of their own, not to be outdone by Sony! You have to remember that these are companies, not human beings lol.

 

[Oddvintagechap]

I like how Amazon and Google like this.

They want to buy multiple developers themselves.

 

[In Cold Blood]

Can't say I have any sympathy for Sony. They have paid to keep games of Xbox for years and tried to use their market dominance to hurt sales of xbox and restrict the ability of people who game on xbox to play well known IPs on anything other than a PS.
This worked well for Sony when MS wasn't investing in the gaming division but now they are, well tuff shit.
What goes around comes around.
Now if MS keep all ABK games off PS, then all that will happen is Sony will put resources into developing games in those genres to replace what they lost. We should see games like Resistance, SOCOM, Killzone etc from them.

 

[//DEVIL//]

The source of both those articles is the blog post that I already acknowledged — I understand that Microsoft stated they plan to continue to release those titles beyond the existing agreements. That's all they said and Microsoft's duplicity in the past with Bethesda shows what they say and do isn't always the same. Regardless, whatever the case may be, they can both change their plans later depending on things that we might not even be able to predict.

As for what Sony is being/not being. It's clear to me why they made this statement and MS has now also made a similarish statement of their own, not to be outdone by Sony! You have to remember that these are companies, not human beings lol.

As if I trust Bungie / sony with their statement about being multiplatform. watch them make a single player IP game exclusive to Sony while keeping Destiny a multi-platform game.

as you mentioned, these are companies. They follow the money, not fans.

 

[nikolino840]

 

[PharaoTutAnchAmun]

And, do you really believe Sony will make those games available for XBOX? Because I really doubt it, releasing multi-platform games doesn't mean being released for ALL platforms, but for more than one platform (e.g PS4/PS5 and PC)

Also that acquisition, and messaging, could be used as a counter-measure since the acquisition, or intent of acquisition, of Bungie was announced after the announcement of the intention to buy AB by MS. So this messaging around Sony acquiring Bungie to continue with their multi-platform approach is shady, especially since there's no other example of Sony releasing games on other platforms than theirs (besides their latests PC efforts).

Then why is Bungie saying and put it in the contract with Sony that they will be making multiplatform games? And Sony agreed?
Why is it that MS not clear about that, and is avoiding a clear steatment about for example CoD? What are they waiting for?

 

[DaGwaphics]

Sure, sure....sure it is.

Well, at least if you really believe that, we don't have to hear about the quality of Sony's developers ever again. Once the deal closes MS will have Activision and they are apparently a light year above the entire industry. XGS will be transcendent. Case closed.