UK watchdog recommends Xbox Activision deal for ‘in-depth investigation’ amid competition concerns

[John Elden Ring]

UK watchdog recommends Xbox Activision deal for ‘in-depth investigation’ amid competition concerns | VGC

If concerns aren't addressed imminently, the deal will be referred for a second investigation phase…

www.videogameschronicle.com

The UK competition regulator’s inquiry into Microsoft‘s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard may be expanded over competition concerns.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) confirmed last month that it had opened an investigation into the $68.7 billion deal—the game industry’s biggest ever by far—to determine whether it’s a fair one.

After gathering feedback from third parties with an interest in the proposed deal, the CMA said on Thursday that it has a number of outstanding concerns that must be addressed.

 

[Eternal_Wings]

Serves Microsoft right!

 

[Sleepy Brown]

The Activision-Blizzard acquisition can't be stopped. It might get delayed another month of two but that's about it.



The CMA knows that as soon as this deal goes through, it's pretty much over for Sony. They can't compete anymore
Jim Ryan knows this. It's the reason why he is preparing SIE/PlayStation to become a 3rd party publisher. Creating games (especially a ton of Live-Service games) for all platforms like PC, Xbox, Mobile and Switch.

 

[Eternal_Wings]

The Activision-Blizzard acquisition can't be stopped. It might get delayed another month of two but that's about it.



The CMA knows that as soon as this deal goes through, it's pretty much over for Sony. They can't compete anymore
Jim Ryan knows this. It's the reason why he is preparing SIE/PlayStation to become a 3rd party publisher. Creating games (especially a ton of Live-Service games) for all platforms like PC, Xbox, Mobile and Switch.

For your information: UK antitrust authorities were the one who canceled the ARM deal for Nvidia. Not looking bright for your beloved Microsoft. Haha

 

[Sleepy Brown]

For your information: UK antitrust authorities were the one who canceled the ARM deal for Nvidia. Not looking bright for your beloved Microsoft. Haha

"Not looking bright"? lol
This here won't change anything. The Activision-Blizzard deal will go through early 2023. Just accept it and move on.

Phil Spencer and Microsoft already replied btw.
Good strategy:

Gaming for everyone, everywhere: our view on the Activision Blizzard acquisition - Microsoft On the Issues

Game developers around the world are creating innovative and groundbreaking games. We think that we can do more to bring those experiences to the billions of players everywhere.

blogs.microsoft.com

 

[Heisenberg007]

"Microsoft's already strong position in gaming consoles"

 

[Sircaw]

"Microsoft's already strong position in gaming consoles"

This god dam Gif, even when their is no audio, i still hear him laughing lol

 

[Swift_Star]

The Activision-Blizzard acquisition can't be stopped. It might get delayed another month of two but that's about it.



The CMA knows that as soon as this deal goes through, it's pretty much over for Sony. They can't compete anymore
Jim Ryan knows this. It's the reason why he is preparing SIE/PlayStation to become a 3rd party publisher. Creating games (especially a ton of Live-Service games) for all platforms like PC, Xbox, Mobile and Switch.

Of course it can be stopped.

 

[Bernd Lauert]

Nothing is stopping this train. Microsoft just confirmed that CoD will stay on Playstation.

 

[DonFerrari]

Does anyone honestly believe this deal isn’t going through? The only one of the big three to show they can be trusted keeping games not exclusive is Microsoft, lol.

 

[Eternal_Wings]

It may will go through but with big delays.
If UK blocks it then MS will need to do an objection. Which means it will take a long time to finish. Sometimes objections in courts can take some years. So if MS is not lucky then the process of acquiring AB, can last until 2024 or beyond. But this is something positive, MS will pretty much sure not be able to buy further middle-sized or big gaming companies.

 

[Papacheeks]

Does anyone honestly believe this deal isn’t going through? The only one of the big three to show they can be trusted keeping games not exclusive is Microsoft, lol.

It's possible because it's still one of the largest on record in terms of asset/IP buyouts. The fact NVIDIA was denied it's 40b Purchase for ARM shows UK regulators are not for large conglomerate companies buying other large entities.

If it does go through I think there might be some contingencies. Like no day one call of duty going day to date. i think if there was any contention, giant brands like call of duty would have a clause by the commission that new titles would have to wait a period of time before coming to a subscription service because of their economic impact to the industry.

Older COD's I think would be no issue, and I think the constitutions would be 6-12Month wait period before new COD could go on the service.

But this is just me thinking out my ass.

 

[Shmunter]

Phil will be clutching his pearls tonight.

A shitstorm not yet seen will ensure if this deal falls apart.

 

[Papacheeks]

Phil will be clutching his pearls tonight.

A shitstorm not yet seen will ensure if this deal falls apart.

The reactions on Youtube will be fucking hilarious, Destin and the likes will blame Sony no doubt lol.

 

[Sircaw]

The reactions on Youtube will be fucking hilarious, Destin and the likes will blame Sony no doubt lol.

i def think it will go through, but damn, imagine it is stopped.

First reply from @adamsapple, "I always thought the deal was not worth it"

 

[Loy310]

cant wait for the next grind-house episode.

 

[ethomaz]

 

[IntentionalPun]

UK was expected to be a tough one, they have the most up to date regulations considering online stores and whatnot and have pretty stringent regulatory in general.

Anyone confidently stating this WILL go through is a bit delusional; I think it will.. I think most of us think it will, but you never know.

 

[Yurinka]

The Activision-Blizzard acquisition can't be stopped. It might get delayed another month of two but that's about it.



The CMA knows that as soon as this deal goes through, it's pretty much over for Sony. They can't compete anymore
Jim Ryan knows this. It's the reason why he is preparing SIE/PlayStation to become a 3rd party publisher. Creating games (especially a ton of Live-Service games) for all platforms like PC, Xbox, Mobile and Switch.

UK regulators and all other regulators of the world will allow this acquisition because Tencent and Sony will continue above them even after the acquisition, and because even with the acquisition Xbox will continue being the console with the smallest userbase / market share, plus MS will continue not being even market leader on PC and mobile either, also with a very small market share of these markets.

Sony will continue above MS both in overall gaming and specifically everything related to consoles, where MS is the 3rd. MS is the one who would need to continue to figure out if they can compete against Sony and how they do it, not the opposite.

Phil Spencer and Microsoft already replied btw.
Good strategy:

Gaming for everyone, everywhere: our view on the Activision Blizzard acquisition - Microsoft On the Issues

Game developers around the world are creating innovative and groundbreaking games. We think that we can do more to bring those experiences to the billions of players everywhere.

blogs.microsoft.com

He didn't say anything new in the post, it's what we already knew: they plan to put the games of the acquired companies on GP asap and that the future CoD games will continue releasing day one on PS as they do with Minecraft.

 

[Dabaus]

At the very least this should give sony more time to wheel and deal. With that said, maybe instead of outright acquisitions we see stock purchases like what they did with fromsoft to avoid things like this happening to them?