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[Varteras]

I thought that applied only to the UK.
If it's global and it cannot be reversed until a new verdict coming from a new probe on a restructured deal proposal I don't know what we have been discussing about for the last 100 pages. They cannot close next week unless they violate laws and they're ready for fines and other legal battles.
I'm still not sure how this is compatible with the approach of collaboration Microsoft is trying to have with the CMA.

But at this point I think I'll just see how things unfold. Too many twists, missing pieces and also misinformation.

Yeah I'm really getting to the point now where my brain is fried trying to keep all the languages in order. I think I'm just gonna passenger this shit entirely now.

 

[Gudji]

MS probably just gonna close it anyway and say fuck it, they have the money to do it.

 

[Bernoulli]

So FTC got the injuction denied and CMA dropped the case ?

 

[Heisenberg007]

Not really because in the absence of a deal ABK could be inclined to make a deal with Amazon, Google/Youtube (or whoever) to produce let's say a Linux version of games for their streaming solution, in order to avoid Windows licensing and perhaps leverage platform specific tech.

If it is just a licensing deal MS still hold all the cards, they make the game and would not be inclined to make a version for anything other than Windows PC for the cloud. They could then also 'pick winners' in that sense as they could provide more favourable Windows cloud licensing terms for certain providers (puppets).

As funny and ironic as it sounds, unless Sony can't have the ability to make an exclusive Cloud deal for Call of Duty and other Activision games with the divested property, it is not really (independent) divestment and does not address the SLC.

 

[ShaiKhulud1989]

and CMA dropped the case ?

No? If anything, they've created more problems for the deal.

 

[Bernoulli]

No? If anything, they've created more problems for the deal.

I didn't follow the last few days but saw some posts here lr twitter saying CMA got scared and dropped everything after the FTC injuction got denied

 

[Dick Jones]

No? If anything, they've created more problems for the deal.

Maybe MS should offer the CMA a 10 year deal to stream games off the CMA website.

 

[GHG]

Pre market the stock is behaving as if Microsoft are going the nuclear route regardless of the regulators (FTC and CMA).

I don't see how this doesn't get messy.

 

[Heisenberg007]

"The decision of the [F1CMA] under subsection (2) shall be consistent with its decisions as included in its report by virtue of section 35(3) or (as the case may be) 36(2) unless there has been a material change of circumstances since the preparation of the report or the [F1CMA] otherwise has a special reason for deciding differently."

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/40/section/41

So it seems like the CMA has to review this decision if there has been material changes to the deal (which Microsoft's new offer constitutes)?

 

[Gudji]

Pre market the stock is behaving as if Microsoft are going the nuclear route regardless of the regulators (FTC and CMA).

I don't see how this doesn't get messy.

They just gonna go with it and deal with the legal consequences later, just look at this case:

Illumina hit with record $476 million EU antitrust fine over Grail deal

U.S. genetic testing company Illumina was fined a record 432-million-euro ($476 million) by the EU on Wednesday for closing its takeover of cancer test maker Grail before securing EU antitrust approval. Illumina has been fighting the EU competition watchdog on several fronts since it was forced...

ca.news.yahoo.com

They don't give a shit and if that's like that what's even the point of having regulatory bodies. What a joke.

 

[zapper]

reminder that the EC expressed itself on May 15, 2 months ago, and has not yet released documents/studies explaining their decision to approve the deal. what a joke

 

[Ginzeen]

I think MS should do whatever it takes to extend for a month. CMA is really the last hurdle, their so close to the finish line. But even then, what if the CMA says they need more time again? CMA is too unpredictable.

 

[Heisenberg007]

Microsoft proposed this to the CMA on June 19, 2023.

One interesting part is the wording by the CMA, "the CMA received a detailed and complex submission from Microsoft claiming that there are material changes."

The CMA has yet to decide or agree if the changes are indeed material. They need these 6 weeks to decide if that is the case (approve) or not (block).

Also, Microsoft essentially the involved the section 41(3) -- that I shared above -- and the CMA had no option but to look at it from anew.

 

[Dick Jones]

Microsoft proposed this to the CMA on June 19, 2023.

I wonder is that why the CMA looked to the CAT push back the case so they could process the new proposal before the appeal itself.

 

[Jigsaah]

Microsoft's moves the last few years haven't been carefully planned. They've been opportunistic moments. Zenimax wasn't going to shift anything. They needed a lot more than that. They needed a big mobile company. They needed big games to bump sub numbers. They needed a company that was huge in the PC space. ABK is all of that. Their legal troubles tanking their stocks was the perfect opportunity. They wouldn't have sold otherwise.

Not every company is up for sale. CD Projekt has made it clear they don't want to sell. Ubisoft does not want to be owned. Sega has said they're not interested. Even to buy T2 or EA, you'd have to offer their stockholders enough cash to the point where they didn't have confidence for the company to reach that number any time soon. And even companies like Microsoft have limits on what they're willing to spend. That much should be obvious in that they were outbid by Sony for Bungie.

The purchasing company has a value in mind. Microsoft isn't going to offer T2 $50 billion when their market value is only half that. It would be an absolutely boneheaded offer. Also, the more they buy up, the more likely they are to run afoul of regulators. They've already had a hell of a time grabbing ABK. A future purchase of another massive publisher will likely face increased scrutiny compared to what it would have had ABK not been bought. It doesn't guarantee a block, but their previous purchases will be taken into consideration.

It also depends on moves made by other companies. Like it or not, we're in a consolidation phase. There's going to be more purchases. Tencent just made another move. A small one, but a move nonetheless. They already have their claws partially in Ubisoft. Embracer had been buying things up. Sony might as well be shouting from the rooftops that they're going to be spending even more money to own things. Based on their comments as of late.

It might seem shitty, but it's a snowball effect. One thing leads to another, leads to another, leads to another. Each step for one company justified by what the others did before. The upshot to this industry is that it is very resilient to too much being owned by one company. There are a ridiculous number of startups with good funding and a lot of talent popping up these days. Many of them displaced from the very consolidation some fear, with others having formed from the dying husk of companies already owned.

Truthfully, the only way Microsoft runs away with the industry is if everyone else just stands still. That's not going to happen.

People laughed at me when I made very similar points. Glad somebody seems to have their head on straight.

 

[zapper]

Microsoft proposed this to the CMA on June 19, 2023.

so shortly after failing to anticipate the discussion with the cat in mid-July. at this point it was better if the cma had not accepted maybe, the decision was already made

 

[Heisenberg007]

I think MS should do whatever it takes to extend for a month. CMA is really the last hurdle, their so close to the finish line. But even then, what if the CMA says they need more time again? CMA is too unpredictable.

I thought Microsoft was closing this acquisition on Monday as per you?

 

[Heisenberg007]

I wonder is that why the CMA looked to the CAT push back the case so they could process the new proposal before the appeal itself.

100%. The CMA literally said to the CAT (it's in the documents if anybody can search for it) that there has been significant changes that the Final Order may have to account for and that's why the CMA needs more time. (or something to that effect; I'm paraphrasing by memory).

The CAT stupidly denied them that time.

 

[Varteras]

People laughed at me when I made very similar points. Glad somebody seems to have their head on straight.

Mine is firmly up my ass. A little hard to breathe but pretty warm.

 

[Heisenberg007]

so shortly after failing to anticipate the discussion with the cat in mid-July. at this point it was better if the cma had not accepted maybe, the decision was already made

I think the section 41(3) binds the CMA to accept that and look at the material changes (if any) from scratch. It'd be illegal for them not to do that.

It'd also be easy grounds for MS to appeal to CAT and say that the CMA acted unreasonably in their process.

 

[Jigsaah]

I really haven't been paying that much attention to the words and deeds of what people are saying. I feel like I have been on the periphery of this discourse. However, I am very aware of the impact of this acquisition has been having on the fandom of each side.

and i see both sides:

The xbox fandom has developed a deep resentment towards Play Station, a lot of it comes from being ignorant towards the meaning and implications of what First Party Studios are.

They believe all these GOTY sony has produced are unfair, that these exclusive have been taken away from xbox.
They perceive the media as being biased towards Sony, giving excessive praise to their games.

For them, this acquisition is the revenge they have been waiting for.

PlayStation fans feel that this acquisition threatens Sony's dominance in an unfair way. Instead of investing in studios, they see the acquisition of these publishers as an effortless and dishonest method of competition.

personally speaking i don't like the hypocrisy of play station fans when they use the "consolidation or game pass bad" arguments.

But I feel sorry for the xbox fan that believes that these acquisition mean that xbox is suddenly going to produce and deliver dormant IP and banger after banger. they are oblivious at the negative effects of big mergers.

my sadistic side smiles at the people suffering due to Starfield's exclusivity as well as the complete shitshow that was Redfall and the metdown from the xbox community.

the point is: Xbox is trying to act as the only benevolent pro-consumer company...when we know that of course is Bullshit of the highest degree, for them and for their fans what seems like and Epic Win with this acquisition is going to be a fucking nightmare, i can guarantee that.

And for Play Station and their fans....what it seems like such a massive threat....is actually the best opportunity to be even more aggressive (especially when they are in such position of power).

i find all the concern about consolidation, Game Pass or Cloud as well as "more options or accesibility to games everywhere for free" nothing more than a charade.

Jesus Christ, you didn't hit the nail on the head, you completely eviscerated it. This is pretty much exactly how i feel.

 

[supernova8]

I thought Microsoft was closing this acquisition on Monday as per you?

I swear Ginzeen has said "the deal is done" about 50 times over the last 48 hours

 

[ToTTenTranz]

Microsoft proposed this to the CMA on June 19, 2023.

Microsoft's army of lawyers might have none other than themselves to blame.

They probably did to the CMA the same they did to the FTC, which was to play against the regulators' lack of sufficient resources and send them over a million documents (over 1 000 000, let that sink in) to overwhelm them thinking they must abide by the deadlines.

For the FTC this fit like a glove, because the judge (with a son working for Microsoft) denied FTC's pleas to get more time to scan all the garbage they were sent in the search for usable data.
The CMA on the other hand showed them the finger, took their own sweet time and now they're taking all the time they need to do a proper analysis on the new proposals, maybe with a fresh new investigation thanks to the stuff uncovered by the FTC.

 

[xHunter]

I swear Ginzeen has said "the deal is done" about 50 times over the last 48 hours

Dude types like he is some AI bot written by a computer science student for fun.

 

[Ginzeen]

I thought Microsoft was closing this acquisition on Monday as per you?

They were suppose to. CMA backtracked. Didn't you also said this thing was closing very soon? lol

 

[Ginzeen]

Dude types like he is some AI bot written by a computer science student for fun.

*Yawn, say something constructive or get lost.

 

[ToTTenTranz]

They were suppose to. CMA backtracked. Didn't you also said this thing was closing very soon? lol

Not his fault. Many people fell for the "CMA just rolled over lol" disinformation trap laid by all the paid shills on twitter.

 

[zapper]

100%. The CMA literally said to the CAT (it's in the documents if anybody can search for it) that there has been significant changes that the Final Order may have to account for and that's why the CMA needs more time. (or something to that effect; I'm paraphrasing by memory).

The CAT stupidly denied them that time.

here they made fun of me, I thought that the cma was not able to prepare and needed more time, from there I have so far thought that they had dropped their pants.

instead it was a good pr move by ms, to make it look like the cma was capitulating. bad impression of the cat (as of judge corley) but obviously nobody will realize it

 

[Ginzeen]

I swear Ginzeen has said "the deal is done" about 50 times over the last 48 hours

Many people thought the deal was done lol. Don't act like i was the only one. CMA with the backtrack!

 

[DForce]

They were suppose to. CMA backtracked. Didn't you also said this thing was closing very soon? lol

They didn't backtrack. We were getting false reports.

 

[Ass of Can Whooping]

I predict that MS will defeat the CMA in August

But as this is a multi phased boss fight the CMA will just go back to 100% health and with MS out of health potions it'll be impossible for them to win.

Maybe they can summon a friend and cheese them

 

[ShaiKhulud1989]

They didn't backtrack. We were getting false reports.

Yeah, media is again showed itself as an absolute corporate dumpster fire.

 

[Ginzeen]

They didn't backtrack. We were getting false reports.

They said they were due to reach a decision on the 18th. They just said they need 6 more weeks. Please read the report.

 

[kvltus lvlzvs]

I really haven't been paying that much attention to the words and deeds of what people are saying. I feel like I have been on the periphery of this discourse. However, I am very aware of the impact of this acquisition has been having on the fandom of each side.

and i see both sides:

The xbox fandom has developed a deep resentment towards Play Station, a lot of it comes from being ignorant towards the meaning and implications of what First Party Studios are.

They believe all these GOTY sony has produced are unfair, that these exclusive have been taken away from xbox.
They perceive the media as being biased towards Sony, giving excessive praise to their games.

For them, this acquisition is the revenge they have been waiting for.

PlayStation fans feel that this acquisition threatens Sony's dominance in an unfair way. Instead of investing in studios, they see the acquisition of these publishers as an effortless and dishonest method of competition.

personally speaking i don't like the hypocrisy of play station fans when they use the "consolidation or game pass bad" arguments.

But I feel sorry for the xbox fan that believes that these acquisition mean that xbox is suddenly going to produce and deliver dormant IP and banger after banger. they are oblivious at the negative effects of big mergers.

my sadistic side smiles at the people suffering due to Starfield's exclusivity as well as the complete shitshow that was Redfall and the metdown from the xbox community.

the point is: Xbox is trying to act as the only benevolent pro-consumer company...when we know that of course is Bullshit of the highest degree, for them and for their fans what seems like and Epic Win with this acquisition is going to be a fucking nightmare, i can guarantee that.

And for Play Station and their fans....what it seems like such a massive threat....is actually the best opportunity to be even more aggressive (especially when they are in such position of power).

i find all the concern about consolidation, Game Pass or Cloud as well as "more options or accesibility to games everywhere for free" nothing more than a charade.

One of the best posts in the thread

 

[Heisenberg007]

They said they were due to reach a decision on the 18th. They just said they need 6 more weeks. Please read the report.

For the new deal that Microsoft is offering now? The CMA never said anything about the 18th.

 

[Ginzeen]

For the new deal that Microsoft is offering now? The CMA never said anything about the 18th.

 

[DForce]

They said they were due to reach a decision on the 18th. They just said they need 6 more weeks. Please read the report.

And was this before or after MS agreed to stop the appeal?

 

[Heisenberg007]

Yes, "Final Order was due 18th" -- not the decision on the new proposed deal by Microsoft.

It seems like you completely misunderstood everything that happened in the last 2-3 days. These 2 are not the same things.

 

[Varteras]

I predict that MS will defeat the CMA in August

But as this is a multi phased boss fight the CMA will just go back to 100% health and with MS out of health potions it'll be impossible for them to win.

Maybe they can summon a friend and cheese them

Pretty much this...

 

[Edmund]

Ginzeen working overtime spamming icon-era.com as well. How much is MS paying you?

Microsoft's acquisition of Activison Blizzard

By the way @KingOfTheDead You would be somewhere around "Peak of Mount Stupid". Most people here are around the Valley of Despair. Nope, i was on the money. They were going to finish it on the 18th. Deadline day. So they were going to give them the nod to close. But they just said today...

icon-era.com

 

[Gudji]

Ginzeen working overtime spamming icon-era.com as well. How much is MS paying you?

Microsoft's acquisition of Activison Blizzard

By the way @KingOfTheDead You would be somewhere around "Peak of Mount Stupid". Most people here are around the Valley of Despair. Nope, i was on the money. They were going to finish it on the 18th. Deadline day. So they were going to give them the nod to close. But they just said today...

icon-era.com

 

[Ginzeen]

Yes, "Final Order was due 18th" -- not the decision on the new proposed deal by Microsoft.

It seems like you completely misunderstood everything that happened in the last 2-3 days. These 2 are not the same things.

So MS needed an extension anyway?

 

[Heisenberg007]

So MS needed an extension anyway?

Not necessarily because even after the extension, the CMA block has stayed. In terms of extension/deadline, not much has changed, to be honest.

• Before the extension = The block was intact. The CMA would have issued its final decision on July 18. Microsoft could not have legally closed the acquisition before or after July 18.
• After the extension = The block is still intact. The CMA will now issue its final decision around Aug. 29. Microsoft cannot legally close the acquisition before or after July 18.

 

[supernova8]

Ginzeen working overtime spamming icon-era.com as well. How much is MS paying you?

Microsoft's acquisition of Activison Blizzard

By the way @KingOfTheDead You would be somewhere around "Peak of Mount Stupid". Most people here are around the Valley of Despair. Nope, i was on the money. They were going to finish it on the 18th. Deadline day. So they were going to give them the nod to close. But they just said today...

icon-era.com

Wait so Ginzeen GAF account created on... June 20 2023, has only ever posted in the merger thread (and has posted a hell of a lot for a new member)

KingOfTheDead (same avatar, exact same writing style) accounted created on.. July 3 3023, has only ever posted in the merger thread (and has posted a lot)

He's literally spamming the same soundbytes between GAF and Icon-Era:

 

[Bernardougf]

A company with more studios than sony needs activision to compete does Jez think that people are fucking stupid?

When you surround yourself in a hive mind of stupidity.. its all you believe it exists....

 

[Ginzeen]

Not necessarily because even after the extension, the CMA block has stayed. In terms of extension/deadline, not much has changed, to be honest.

• Before the extension = The block was intact. The CMA would have issued its final decision on July 18. Microsoft could not have legally closed the acquisition before or after July 18.
• After the extension = The block is still intact. The CMA will now issue its final decision around Aug. 29. Microsoft cannot legally close the acquisition before or after July 18.

What im saying is, MS and ABK needed to extend their contract agreement regardless of the CMA July 18th "final order" date? Because as you said, thats not the decision of the new deal?

 

[jroc74]

Makes no sense, but if that's what they are calling it then CMA just flat-out caved. Dat "political pressure" @Riky talked about.

And so this is why MS wasn't worried about CMA any longer as @HeisenbergFX4 said. They already agreed on this prior to the FTC ruling. CMA has been lying the whole time about this possibly leading to a new investigation, if this happens.

New info....CMA hasn't agreed to anything.

This is why I posted that sensible chuckle gif the other day. Even as an extreme layman to all this.....if one pays attention to the sensible, logical info....nothing's really changed after the FTC's loss.

Yeah, I could be wrong....but thats the way I see it. I didnt want to comment on Tom Warren......but yeah.....lol.

Oof the final order was due july 18th back they backed track that lol....CMA truly a wild card. Deal ain't looking good at all!

lol, reading your posts the past few days have been comical. Good job.

I just saw the posts above mine.....

 

[Ginzeen]

Wait so Ginzeen GAF account created on... June 20 2023, has only ever posted in the merger thread (and has posted a hell of a lot for a new member)

KingOfTheDead (same avatar, exact same writing style) accounted created on.. July 3 3023, has only ever posted in the merger thread (and has posted a lot)

He's literally spamming the same soundbytes between GAF and Icon-Era:

im only interested in this topic at the moment. Some people have more interest then other people in certain things. Other threads don't move me at the moment. Nothing more. Nothing less.

 

[Zheph]

im only interested in this topic at the moment. Other threads don't move me at the moment. Nothing more. Nothing less.

not really into gaming, right? It's just work

 

[ckaneo]

They should close on the 15th take the fine and let the CMA investigation finish later