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Microsoft / Activision Deal Approval Watch |OT| (MS/ABK close)

Do you believe the deal will be approved?


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Like it or not, that is what Microsoft chose to do with its cloud offering. They bundled it with Game Pass Ultimate, and therefore, anyone who uses GPU is also a cloud gamer. Ya'll are simply clutching at straws...the key reason MS bundled their cloud offering with Game Pass Ultimate is to grow their user base quickly.

CMA isn't responsible for how MS chooses to bundle their services to make them attractive to consumers.
Microsoft seem pretty confident that this deal will happen, I don't think they'd be pursuing this deal if they didn't think they can get it done. We shall see what happens but its interesting to me that Microsoft are still going full steam ahead, after everyone was saying the deal was dead after the CMA block.
 
You need to be a subscriber to Game Pass Ultimate, and if you are, you can play games that are available on the cloud locally or natively. The option to play via cloud is available from the console UI, from the game's page, similar to how it is on the PS. You are simply making a selection and if you choose cloud, no installation necessary.

I'm guessing through an APP you can those games through the cloud on multiple devices (tablets, phones, streaming sticks etc)

Now while not every GPU user will use cloud they have the ability to on any platform that allows it.
 

sainraja

Member
Microsoft seem pretty confident that this deal will happen, I don't think they'd be pursuing this deal if they didn't think they can get it done. We shall see what happens but its interesting to me that Microsoft are still going full steam ahead, after everyone was saying the deal was dead after the CMA block.
I won't make any claims here about what will happen with the deal in the future, but from what I understand and have read in this thread, is that both parties have to try to make the deal work because they both have money on the line, and if it gets blocked again, one of them will lose that money without reaping any of the benefits, so I think it is in both their interests to try to make it work and do anything they can.
 
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azertydu91

Hard to Kill
Work? Why are you not getting rich robbing banks?

Will Smith Reaction GIF
Since uncle Phil died I haven't had the heart to rob them.
 
Microsoft seem pretty confident that this deal will happen, I don't think they'd be pursuing this deal if they didn't think they can get it done. We shall see what happens but its interesting to me that Microsoft are still going full steam ahead, after everyone was saying the deal was dead after the CMA block.

I wouldn't jump to the conclusion they are all in on the deal. I would wait until July to see what their real feelings are on it. If Microsoft and ABK sit down and knock out an extension or new deal it's because they know there's a chance it can go through.

Edit: Also it makes sense to pay attention to the PR. If they light up social media with confidence that could be a good indication of the deals chances.
 
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I won't make any claims here about what will happen with the deal in the future, but from what I understand and have read in this thread, is that both parties have to try to make the deal work because they both have money on the line, and if it gets blocked again, one of them will lose that money without reaping any of the benefits, so I think it is in both their interests to try to make it work and do anything they can.
Who the CMA and Microsoft you mean? I don't think they'd have anything to lose or gain, obviously Microsoft do but they've got enough money anyway.
 

sainraja

Member
I'm guessing through an APP you can those games through the cloud on multiple devices (tablets, phones, streaming sticks etc)

Now while not every GPU user will use cloud they have the ability to on any platform that allows it.
You can choose to play via cloud directly from the console, like you can on the PS. My point simply was, MS is the one offering cloud with Game Pass and they have made that choice for a reason, they want to grow their cloud service. I mean, I can subscribe to any service I want and be considered a subscriber to it, and I don't have to use all the benefits that are on offer.
 

sainraja

Member
Who the CMA and Microsoft you mean? I don't think they'd have anything to lose or gain, obviously Microsoft do but they've got enough money anyway.
Microsoft and Activision—my understanding is that if any one of them does not try to make it work, then they have to pay the other money.
 

Wulfer

Member
And sonys cloud share could be much higher too had they invested. Ms shouldnt be punished for beinf the first to heavily invest in cloud or offering it with my gamepass.
I think the abk deal is better for everyone sony players included. Sony is a very scummy company when they have too much power. Same for ms.
Sony did they bought Gaikai, they were (1. didn't use the time wisely to make the service work or (2. they didn't put enough funds in to make the service work. This wasn't MS's fault so, why should they be punished for it? Instead of Sony making stupid jabs at MS with game share and telling the world look at me we care "we're for the gamer" headlines. They should of have had all hands on deck getting this Service shared with Google and Amazon. Again, can't fix bad decisions. I'll bet Sony wished they could go back and do things different in 2014!

https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-...buy-cloud-gaming-firm-gaikai-for-380-million/
 
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PaintTinJr

Member
If sony took cloud srsly then they would be bigger then xbox cloud in a heartbeat.
The cma thinks i m a cloud user while i fire up some games in the cloud for rewards. Their numbers are wrong again.
Complete rubbish.

As has been demonstrated by the Stadia shutdown, Microsoft ability to keep DirectX as a trojan horse tied to their dominance in the PC gaming OS(95% share) and lever that means that they control costs and timing access API patches for cloud gaming with vertically foreclosure power that Google reported to the CMA when factoring in the loss of access to Zenimax's library from MSFT's acquisition and withholding of key titles.

All arguments still need to pass the poor little 95% dominant OS and 70% cloud dominance by $2T company smell test.
 
Fair enough, it's like a shit soap opera this acquisition 🤣

Microsoft was celebrating the CMA decision with them dropping the console argument. Then they went full nuclear when the CMA blocked the deal. Its been pretty crazy to be honest especially with all the crazy theories and conspiracies.

We just have to be patient but I can see why it's hard since it's been going for so long. Lots of uncertainty surrounding this deal is all I can say at this moment.
 
If Microsoft is willing to put the time into this that is necessary, it will eventually pass. It's up to Microsoft how much they want Activision.

I don't think it depends on how badly they want this. Just how well they can convince regulators.

Just because Microsoft desires to sell the most systems doesn't mean it will happen. Their abilities will govern their success.
 

Heisenberg007

Gold Journalism
If Microsoft is willing to put the time into this that is necessary, it will eventually pass. It's up to Microsoft how much they want Activision.
Not necessarily. Too many variables involved -- beyond Microsoft's willingness -- that can change that:
  • CAT can reject the appeal.
  • CMA can stick with their decision.
  • Activision can back off after July 18.
  • Activision shareholders can demand significantly more money to renew the contract after July 18 which Microsoft can't afford.
  • Activision can demand a significantly higher penalty amount this time that might be too much for Microsoft.
 
Complete rubbish.

As has been demonstrated by the Stadia shutdown, Microsoft ability to keep DirectX as a trojan horse tied to their dominance in the PC gaming OS(95% share) and lever that means that they control costs and timing access API patches for cloud gaming with vertically foreclosure power that Google reported to the CMA when factoring in the loss of access to Zenimax's library from MSFT's acquisition and withholding of key titles.

All arguments still need to pass the poor little 95% dominant OS and 70% cloud dominance by $2T company smell test.
Stadia failed because it was absolute shit and destined to fail. Making people buy old expensive cloud only games yup genius idea.
Everybody knew that shit was going to fail and i do mean everybody
 

Corrik

Member
I don't think it depends on how badly they want this. Just how well they can convince regulators.

Just because Microsoft desires to sell the most systems doesn't mean it will happen. Their abilities will govern their success.
It's a time thing. Do they want to extend the timeline with activision. Do they want to wait for the appeal to go in their favor. Do they want to do the FTC song and dance to eventually beat them in court.

I think the merits of the acquisition ultimately are fine and that big tech bad regulators ultimately will be prevailed over. It won't be quick though.
 

Wulfer

Member
Stadia failed because it was absolute shit and destined to fail. Making people buy old expensive cloud only games yup genius idea.
Everybody knew that shit was going to fail and i do mean everybody
If Sony was smart there would have been no Stadia! This was Sony's Gaikai moment and they blew it! It's like walking up to a high-end movie studio and and sharing a vision for a film after a NDA is signed. Then asking said studio you have to cover all the costs but, you can put your name on the film. Gaikai was never going to work if Sony wasn't willing to branch out to a partner or partners and share profits. Gaikai was a wasted purchase to Sony.
 
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Not necessarily. Too many variables involved -- beyond Microsoft's willingness -- that can change that:
  • CAT can reject the appeal.
  • CMA can stick with their decision.
  • Activision can back off after July 18.
  • Activision shareholders can demand significantly more money to renew the contract after July 18 which Microsoft can't afford.
  • Activision can demand a significantly higher penalty amount this time that might be too much for Microsoft.
While I respect your points, the "can't afford" or "too much" are not really terms associated with a $2 Trillion company. Let me ask you, if the CAT back the appeal for whatever reason, are the CMA allowed to block the deal again for the same reason?
 
It's a time thing. Do they want to extend the timeline with activision. Do they want to wait for the appeal to go in their favor. Do they want to do the FTC song and dance to eventually beat them in court.

I think the merits of the acquisition ultimately are fine and that big tech bad regulators ultimately will be prevailed over. It won't be quick though.

Well your right about time. It might take them 10 years to attempt another merger.

The regulators still have to approve this and there's no guarantee that they will.
 

Heisenberg007

Gold Journalism
Popcorn time on 30th May. Disappointed gamers when this Acquisition gets approved

e746fCs.png
Ground #3 > It is easy to debunk because Activision games are already on at least 3 Cloud gaming services, including Boosteroid.

Ground #2 > I'm not 100% sure but if I remember correctly, is incorrect, and the CMA mentioned taking that into account in their final decision.

Ground #4 > It's a hypothetical scenario that the CMA did not even entertain. Microsoft's Cloud gaming share of 70% is enough for the CMA to block the acquisition -- even if MS does not intend to make those games exclusive.

Microsoft's only way out of this is if they are able to prove a mathematical error in the CMA's Cloud gaming market share calculation. Otherwise, it's kaput. Interestingly, Microsoft did not raise any objections when the CMA calculated xCloud's 70% market share.
 
I wake up and this thread has become full of ravenous fanboys begging for the deal to pass because Microsoft can’t put out any games. What the fuck happened lol
Phil Spender's money entered their bank account and the Russian bots are twattering. Can't let that happen.
 

reksveks

Member
Correct.

Anyways they still have to convince regulators to approve this. Time isn't something that will do anything here. Just Microsofts ability to convince them they are in the wrong here.
Yeah, the process eventually completes and you can't continously appeal so yeah, time is rather irrelevant. Just wanted to make sure we were explicit on what the current draft order from the CMA says.
 
This could well be going through guys, after reading that it seems the CAT are going to take the CMA to the cleaners.

Thats not the CAT though. Just Microsofts appeal. The CAT to my knowledge hasn't made a decision yet.

That's not how this works.

Yeah it's like when you sue someone. You bring the reasons to court and it's up to the court to decide whether your correct or not. All Microsoft has done is bring reasons why they believe the CMA was wrong.
 
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Ground #3 > It is easy to debunk because Activision games are already on at least 3 Cloud gaming services, including Boosteroid.

Ground #2 > I'm not 100% sure but if I remember correctly, is incorrect, and the CMA mentioned taking that into account in their final decision.

Ground #4 > It's a hypothetical scenario that the CMA did not even entertain. Microsoft's Cloud gaming share of 70% is enough for the CMA to block the acquisition -- even if MS does not intend to make those games exclusive.

Microsoft's only way out of this is if they are able to prove a mathematical error in the CMA's Cloud gaming market share calculation. Otherwise, it's kaput. Interestingly, Microsoft did not raise any objections when the CMA calculated xCloud's 70% market share.
Your final point will be what’ll decide it. Microsoft didn’t object to the cloud number because they thought the CMA were focusing on console remedies. They weren’t thorough enough.
 

Heisenberg007

Gold Journalism
Your final point will be what’ll decide it. Microsoft didn’t object to the cloud number because they thought the CMA were focusing on console remedies. They weren’t thorough enough.
Maybe. That's an assumption. Another possibility is that they thought those numbers were correct, which is why they did not object.

They were marketing their xCloud growth and player count just a few months ago:

FDj6xMi.jpg
 
Your final point will be what’ll decide it. Microsoft didn’t object to the cloud number because they thought the CMA were focusing on console remedies. They weren’t thorough enough.

Maybe but a 70% marketshare is a pretty big thing to miss.

I guess they let it happen because it looks good for their numbers. Maybe they didn't want to reveal the real ones for some reason. I'm probably just over thinking it though.
 

azertydu91

Hard to Kill
The irony of your post is a bit hilarious, but I doubt you picked up on it. I think perhaps you should become more informed on the subject before you post. That way you won't become the "stupid meme" you complain about.
That would've been more suitable to insult me instead of you because let's face it, my contribution in this thread hasn't been productive nor constructive at all.But hey at least some of you had fun.
The main problem is that I am still far from being 50.
 

Wulfer

Member
I already said Sony bought Gaikai in 2014 but, I completely forgot Sony bought Onlive in 2015. This would be two Cloud based Streaming services Sony sat on for years.

https://www.cnet.com/tech/gaming/so...ervice-which-will-shut-down-later-this-month/

Both of these services went into Playstation Now but, that's where Sony stopped. They should have been talking with Apple, Google, Amazon and android back then. Now its too late.
 
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Thats not the CAT though. Just Microsofts appeal. The CAT to my knowledge hasn't made a decision yet.



Yeah it's like when you sue someone. You bring the reasons to court and it's up to the court to decide whether your correct or not. All Microsoft has done is bring reasons why they believe the CMA was wrong.
I'm well aware but the points Microsoft have made are quite compelling, let's see.
 
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