Sorry, but this is just bullshit. Even if this deal goes through there is no way for Microsoft to "monopolize" industry. Do you even realize how many developers/publishers/companies are part of gaming industry? From giants like Sony, Nintendo, Tencent, Nexon through big publishers like EA, Take-Two, Ubisoft to smaller companies like Devolver, Focus Home etc.
How much of a market share would Microsoft with Activision Blizzard have? 15%? Maybe even less. Does that sound like a monopoly to you? They are taking a beating in console space, they are being beaten on PC front by Steam. So where exactly there is a worry of monopoly? Because of Call of Duty? Series that will remain multiplatform until 2036 at least? The only way even CMA was even able to try to challenge this deal is because they carved out specific cloud gaming market and look at the possible implication of Xbox + Azure. It's like if you had to approve merger of two film companies and you carved out their theme parks as a proof that deal is a problem.
Or because they have subscription service? I mean, Sony has subscription service too, so it's not like a novel concept that nobody else can afford. Fact that PS Plus is more shit is Sony's problem. They refuse to do more than absolute minimum to have a compelling service. As cheapest as possible, just to not loose customers to Game Pass.
And yes, of course, Microsoft would kick up a stink if Apple or Google would try to buy Activision Blizzard. And I would criticize their hypocrisy same way I'm criticizing Sony now. At the end of a day, I understand why Sony is doing that. They don't care about players. They care about protecting their business interests and interest of their shareholders. It would be strange for them to not fight it (to this day I find strange that they did not fight Bethesda acquisition). But pretending that Microsoft is some kind of bogeyman with history of anti-competitive behaviour that Sony has with PlayStation is really funny.
You don't half chat some shit?
Is that why the US government and world governments want to keep an eye on big tech firms especially when it comes to buying up other companies? I wonder why that is???
It's a well known fact that these companies don't allow competitors and stifle and block them. Their yearly profits should tell you along with their market valuation that they are robbing consumers left right and centre.
You know MS just used money from elsewhere to prop up their gaming division. They couldn't compete fairly so they now have decided we'll buy out some of the biggest pubs, devs and IP and take them games away. The only reason they guarantee COD is because Phil knows if he took it away the deal will collapse.
You keep on hearing X-goons harping on about why don't Sony make their own COD to compete? So why don't your ask Mr Liar why doesn't Xbox make it's own COD, studios and IP? You all make it sound easy yet why hasn't MS been able to do it especially with their cash?
I wonder why is Phil now willing to guarantee COD on PS platforms for 10 years eh?
We know Xbox fangirls whitewash anything MS do wrong and hide the fact that most anti-consumer practises were started by their favourite company AND the only reason they changed tact was to attract consumers not because they were doing it for their fans but their bottom line.