Microsoft's acquisition of Activison Blizzard

[Gods&Monsters]

I always thought Ubisoft had a better relationship with Microsoft. They gave them many exclusives like Naruto Rise of Ninja, Naruto Broken Bond, Splinter Cell Conviction, GRAW 1. Rainbow Six Vegas was timed exclusive, Enchanted Arms, GRAW2 too. Valhalla and Odyssey marketing etc.

Activision had a better relationship with Sony so it doesn't mean anything

They do too.

I'm sure but is it as blatant as Microsoft with politicians attacking the FTC and other countries (Japan) on their behalf? I feel like "Big Tech" (Amazon, Google, Apple) is the common enemy, they don't get much supporters in the public like Microsoft and their xbots/journalists.

 

[KnittedKnight]

It has gotten to that point but the target say being the Chinesse for example. Different enviroment - you would have to follow geopolitics. Take Huawei's banning in the U.S, and harassment elsewhere.

 

[nongkris]

I always thought Ubisoft had a better relationship with Microsoft. They gave them many exclusives like Naruto Rise of Ninja, Naruto Broken Bond, Splinter Cell Conviction, GRAW 1. Rainbow Six Vegas was timed exclusive, Enchanted Arms, GRAW2 too. Valhalla and Odyssey marketing etc.

Activision had a better relationship with Sony so it doesn't mean anything

I'm sure but is it as blatant as Microsoft with politicians attacking the FTC and other countries (Japan) on their behalf? I feel like "Big Tech" (Amazon, Google, Apple) is the common enemy, they don't get much supporters in the public like Microsoft and their xbots/journalists.

I'm pretty sure all of the tech companies have a DOJ case against them except Microsoft. Microsoft has cleverly woven itself in the fabric of government, they spend the most on lobbying which is why you get these politicians writing letters, they have a lot of government and military contracts, and of course Windows is used on all of the government computers. So you essentially have a company that is quasi governmental but answers only to shareholders and not people.

The only question is will Microsoft continue acquiring after the Acti purchase after seeing how this one went.

 

[Cool hand luke]

I'm pretty sure all of the tech companies have a DOJ case against them except Microsoft. Microsoft has cleverly woven itself in the fabric of government, they spend the most on lobbying which is why you get these politicians writing letters, they have a lot of government and military contracts, and of course Windows is used on all of the government computers. So you essentially have a company that is quasi governmental but answers only to shareholders and not people.

The only question is will Microsoft continue acquiring after the Acti purchase after seeing how this one went.

Microsoft and its tendrils need to be excised by force.

 

[Eternal_Wings]

So basically Sony shouldn't make a bid for anyone outside of Japan since Microsoft can always attempt to outbid? What kinda logic?

Sony and Ubisoft have a very good relationship actually which is why Playstation also currently has the marketing rights for the upcoming AC game... Like they've done many times in the past since they rotate them yearlylast generation. Also did you know AC was originally meant to be a PS3 exclusive? Who first debuted and marketed Watch Dogs as well? Sony also aligned with them for the Avatar game. Ubisoft+ came to Playstation before Xbox and most importantly... Ubisoft makes more money on Playstation.

Ubisoft is huge indeed but they also have developers in Areas Sony doesn't, it's an easy win. They also can make them a subsidiary of Playstation / SIE allowing them to keep GaaS stuff Multiplat but reel in the Single Player stuf.

Also use that workforce to assist other smaller WWS teams with their GaaS post launch.

I'd love to see them join Worldwide Studios personally.

It is. In Japan are buyouts/mergers coordinated and arranged. Both parties must be agreeing.
In the west it’s proven to be different. See Codemasters, Take2 where to buy them and then EA came with a last minute offer. Western companies value different terms than Japanese ones and I am sure Microsoft or even others companies would bid for Ubisoft.
There is no indication that Sony would go for them.
For a couple of Japanese pubs there a consistent rumours for some years at least.

 

[Edmund]

I really hate how people keep parroting "I'd rather Microsoft buy the publisher than Ten Cent or Embracer Group". These people have no fucking brains. If embracer or ten cent buys a publisher, the games will still be third party and released on all platforms. But when MS buys a publisher, the games become first party exclusive.


I have read this nonsense by posters and gaming media so many fucking times I wonder if these people are capable of critical thinking or not.

How the fuck can one prefer MS buying up publishers instead of ten cent or Embracer Group? I don't get it. Are people so brainwashed to this level?

 

[Gediminas]

It is. In Japan are buyouts/mergers coordinated and arranged. Both parties must be agreeing.
In the west it’s proven to be different. See Codemasters, Take2 where to buy them and then EA came with a last minute offer. Western companies value different terms than Japanese ones and I am sure Microsoft or even others companies would bid for Ubisoft.
There is no indication that Sony would go for them.
For a couple of Japanese pubs there a consistent rumours for some years at least.

M$ can't right now. That's why Sony need to act. 20k, so what? For the price, it is worth a year headache. Ubisoft completely blows out of the water Bethesda and look how much it costed to m$.
Ubisoft is biggest revenue maker and cheapest Pub apart from what is left from EA and T2. M$ has no chance to buy neither of them, too big, too much influence but they could get away with Ubisoft. They also have no chance to buy japanese Pub.
Ubisoft's games are diverse and popular, it would damage Sony to lose them because Ubisoft games are popular on Playstation.
Also, they have a lot of GaaS games and mobile games, how Jimbo wants, also good IPs for films and anime.

Ubisoft doesn't show any preference to Sony or m$, both has marketing rights at different time for different games, they also has switch games.
How i said before, it is single most important western Pub to buy to protect themselves.

 

[Zzero]

I really hate how people keep parroting "I'd rather Microsoft buy the publisher than Ten Cent or Embracer Group". These people have no fucking brains. If embracer or ten cent buys a publisher, the games will still be third party and released on all platforms. But when MS buys a publisher, the games become first party exclusive.


I have read this nonsense by posters and gaming media so many fucking times I wonder if these people are capable of critical thinking or not.

How the fuck can one prefer MS buying up publishers instead of ten cent or Embracer Group? I don't get it. Are people so brainwashed to this level?

I'd love to be given a legitimate reason to hate Tencent. So far all they have done is contribute to gaming, not taken away.

 

[laynelane]

I really hate how people keep parroting "I'd rather Microsoft buy the publisher than Ten Cent or Embracer Group". These people have no fucking brains. If embracer or ten cent buys a publisher, the games will still be third party and released on all platforms. But when MS buys a publisher, the games become first party exclusive.


I have read this nonsense by posters and gaming media so many fucking times I wonder if these people are capable of critical thinking or not.

How the fuck can one prefer MS buying up publishers instead of ten cent or Embracer Group? I don't get it. Are people so brainwashed to this level?

A lot of astroturfing has gone into making MS/Xbox into a "pro-consumer" influence within the gaming industry. We all know that's straight bullshit, but that's the message that is pushed. So, they're the benign company in comparison to others. I also think there's some 'America, fuck yeah' attitude there - support MS because they're American unlike Sony, Tencent, Embracer, etc.

It's been great to see that kind of manipulation not get rewarded with a bigger market share or more console sales for MS. It seems to be confined to Twitter and internet reporting mostly and doesn't reach most gamers worldwide. I hope that continues.

 

[Airbus]

I'd love to be given a legitimate reason to hate Tencent. So far all they have done is contribute to gaming, not taken away.

Its very easy to understand because Tencent is China and Xbox are American brand

 

[Eternal_Wings]

Its very easy to understand because Tencent is China and Xbox are American brand

Sadly most Xbox shills are patriotic scumbags.
It’s okay for America to conquer industry but if Japanese or Asian want to do so it’s wrong. If Tencent would buy Ubisoft, Xbox fanboys will have a meltdown. But not because Tencent is Chinese, it’s that the games will still be available to everyone. They hate it when games are still on PS.

 

[Would_you_kindly]

People keep saying Microsoft can never buy Japanese publishers because of the Japanese government. What people should have learned is pay people enough money, and they’ll look the other way. Money talks.

US politicians have been trashing the Japanese government on behalf of Microsoft, the Japanese are very proud people & I don't see them putting money before that

 

[Would_you_kindly]

That's why most strategic move for Sony would be to buy Ubisoft. It wouldn't cost much. Upcoming games will boost their worth. Plus m$ is occupied. It is basically most important buy for Sony in the west.

They should just buy ivory tower & the crew IP off them motorfest is great better than Forza horizon

 

[Would_you_kindly]

Sadly most Xbox shills are patriotic scumbags.
It’s okay for America to conquer industry but if Japanese or Asian want to do so it’s wrong. If Tencent would buy Ubisoft, Xbox fanboys will have a meltdown. But not because Tencent is Chinese, it’s that the games will still be available to everyone. They hate it when games are still on PS.

Yeah I saw them calling Europeans 'nationalists' because that US citizen that consulted for Microsoft didn't end up getting employed for the EC , I thought that's the fucking pot calling the kettle black

 

[Loy310]

Yeah I saw them calling Europeans 'nationalists' because that US citizen that consulted for Microsoft didn't end up getting employed for the EC , I thought that's the fucking pot calling the kettle black

How would it look when a MS economist help MS with the AKB merger in the EU, gets a spot on the EU regulatory board and at the same time the Judge appointed to FTC VS MS/ABK also have a son working at MS in the USA.
What are the odds of not only 1 conflict of interest but 2 at the same time in the same fucking case.

If that shit was sony, having that kind of luck they would have had to walk away from the merger due to the blowback from the optics of that situation.
And they want to call folks nationalist, like its an insult, every human being on the planet is a nationalist is some kind of way, and thats alright.

 

[Old Gamer]

Sadly most Xbox shills are patriotic scumbags.

Do not mistake jingoism and xenophobia for patriotism.
True patriots would want their country to set a good example and be disgusted at the sistemic corruption infecting their judicial and political system.

 

[Eternal_Wings]

Do not mistake jingoism and xenophobia for patriotism.
True patriots would want their country to set a good example and be disgusted at the sistemic corruption infecting their judicial and political system.

Patriotism can also be negative or even take extreme traits. Loving your home is not wrong, but it depends on how you do express it and in which way.

 

[Zzero]

Its very easy to understand because Tencent is China and Xbox are American brand

Tencent has nothing to do with Xbox and has been hated on for a decade at this point.

 

[thicc_girls_are_teh_best]

I really hate how people keep parroting "I'd rather Microsoft buy the publisher than Ten Cent or Embracer Group". These people have no fucking brains. If embracer or ten cent buys a publisher, the games will still be third party and released on all platforms. But when MS buys a publisher, the games become first party exclusive.


I have read this nonsense by posters and gaming media so many fucking times I wonder if these people are capable of critical thinking or not.

How the fuck can one prefer MS buying up publishers instead of ten cent or Embracer Group? I don't get it. Are people so brainwashed to this level?

It's actually worst than that. With Tencent and Embracer, there is no incentive to leverage the acquired content for their own gaming system, since they don't have one, nor is there any incentive to use the acquired content to foreclose on a direct competitor, because PlayStation is not a competitor to anything those companies offer. There is also no incentive to cockblock Sony from arranging deals with that content that prioritizes PlayStation first and foremost, unlike with say ABK under MS's ownership, because there is 0% chance MS would let Sony do anything with ABK content unless it brings parity of benefits to Xbox as well (and that's in addition to Xbox & Game Pass getting benefits PS may not).

People can point to Tencent's associations with the CCP and yeah, that sucks, but IIRC they have been trying to distance themselves from the CCP, which is more than I can say about Microsoft from the US government. And in absolute terms, Tencent's relationship with the CCP would not even be fundamentally different to the one MS has with the government here in America, so if you're against one for that reason, might as well be against all of them for the same reason. But there's also a xenophobic angle with some of the people fearmongering about Tencent, as well as geopolitical ones that have nothing to do with video games.

 

[riesgoyfortuna]

I really hate how people keep parroting "I'd rather Microsoft buy the publisher than Ten Cent or Embracer Group". These people have no fucking brains. If embracer or ten cent buys a publisher, the games will still be third party and released on all platforms. But when MS buys a publisher, the games become first party exclusive.


I have read this nonsense by posters and gaming media so many fucking times I wonder if these people are capable of critical thinking or not.

How the fuck can one prefer MS buying up publishers instead of ten cent or Embracer Group? I don't get it. Are people so brainwashed to this level?

They just want ms to win