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[xHunter]

 

[Kilau]

I think its funny how the ftc put the Activision will give MS Playstation secrets into the appeal.....they do realize MLB the show is made by Sony for the XBox right? No worry about secrets there I guess. Oh and how many games has insomniac made for xbox since sony purchased them? MS wants to bring gamepass to everyone no matter what console/phone/etc you own. How is it any different than EA or Ubisofts services? Not to mention they want to challenge apple and google stores so I dont think there will be very many exclusives period. Goes against what they are really trying to do in the long run.

The PlayStation secrets part is talking about Sony sharing preproduction console development with ABK not about providing dev kits. It’s amazing how successfully this narrative has spread. Insomniac is a developer not a publisher so what is the comparison there?

 

[Kilau]

The drop dead date, dropped dead huh?

 

[Topher]

Did he just say he "firmly" believes MS won't close over the CMA? He was waffled hard on that very point.

The PlayStation secrets part is talking about Sony sharing preproduction console development with ABK not about providing dev kits. It’s amazing how successfully this narrative has spread. Insomniac is a developer not a publisher so what is the comparison there?

Ah....makes sense now.

 

[feynoob]

Well fk this crap. End it already.

 

[Varteras]

I seem to recall the FT being wrong, rather wrong, about things before. Am I just imagining that? I feel like they don't actually know.

 

[Solidus_T]

Why do you fall for the political narrative so badly?

Actually rooting for companies that don’t pay their fair share of taxes, run by people that avoid taxes and instead use their money to lobby politicians to fuck up the system so that it doesn’t work. You realize that EC and EU are actually applying remedies, and even though U.S is MS’s home turf where Xbox is actually a thing, FTC won’t even manage to demand remedies because the system is that broken.

Who are you rooting for? If the FTC can’t even get a break with a videogame case, what do you think is going to happen when it’s about something that involves a whole lot more lobbying power?

Sober assessment. I saw a tweet by Gene Park pointing out something similar. Basically, a whole bunch of fanboys have been tricked into rooting for the consolidation of the industry by a 2.5 trillion-dollar giant that doesn't even pay taxes. It's really insane when you think about it; I can't imagine that Jeff Bezos had this sort of cult following. Then again the days of people eyeing Microsoft in the 90s are gone and they've basically gotten away with everything - just how Amazon is today. Especially in the US, the courts are not working for the public, but for huge companies like these.

 

[feynoob]

I seem to recall the FT being wrong, rather wrong, about things before. Am I just imagining that? I feel like they don't actually know.

Please help us Monday.

 

[Varteras]

Please help us Monday.

 

[ToadMan]

US Tax payer pay the operating expenses of the FTC including the money they waste on these hope and prayer cases they've been launching recently.

Indeed. And US taxpayers are paying a lot more than they should have to because corporations including Microsoft are avoiding paying their fair share for the wealth they accumulate.

But either way, I’m sure the meager relative contribution they do make is sufficient to cover the FTCs fees in this.

 

[Roxkis_ii]

CMA hold us down baby!

I'm emailing my senator about how weak the FTC is in comparison. It's seems completely outclassed by the businesses it's s supposed to be regulating. And these budget cuts they're receiving surly aren't helping (with a hunch that's the intention).

I don't think Microsoft has, or will offer the CMA anything that would satisfy what they outlined in the divestment document, so I still think this deal is dead.

 

[SirTerry-T]

If MS actually try subvert the CMA's decision and close the acquisition against it I genuinely hope the subsequent fines, asset seizures, financial sanctions, and other assorted responses deployed by the UK government are so severe that MS execs are forced to shutter the Xbox divsion and beg on their collective knees for a reprieve before their shareholders have them executed.

Blimey pal,that's quite the cutting diatribe. Do you want to "hear the lamentation of their women" too?

 

[Kilau]

I seem to recall the FT being wrong, rather wrong, about things before. Am I just imagining that? I feel like they don't actually know.

It’s easy clicks to write an article with a lot of “can”, could”, “may”, “might”, “anticipates” qualifiers.

 

[feynoob]

 

[Clear]

I think I get what you mean. The idea being that, at some point, the value and draw of certain games on the service could very well lead to other developers finding their games being drowned out. Who is actually spending much time playing Exoprimal if Call of Duty is on that service? That about what you're aiming at?

Totally yeah. The sales environment suits some sorts of games more than others, and when everything is bundled together providers lose the ability to compete based on comparative value-for-money.

The example I've used in the past is how mobile has transformed over the years. In that case it was purely the trend set for pricing games for 99c or similar. When that got established as the market standard, suddenly anything priced higher looked less appealing, so devs had to find a way to cover costs when they were literally getting pennies per title sold.

The initial focus was on making sure their title stood out on the storefronts, because obviously if your game is easy to miss in the churn... This resulted in everyone agonizing over what the icon looks like, what colours and style were employed, everything keyed to what's perceived to be the most attractive to the mass market.

Suddenly all the icons start looking kinda similar and so do the games because it follows that if brightly coloured logos draw the eye, then the overall appearance of the game in screenshot form will function the same. You see a similar effect on Youtube, a formula exists as to the "proper" way to present that best suits the algorithm.

If you present a vast menu of different items all ostensibly at the same cost to the customer it really narrows down the ways you have drive sales/engagement. And everything, everything, flows downstream from that.

If you are looking to compete on quality/production value then you need to figure out a way to sneak in extra monetization to cover opportunity cost without running people off before they're hooked. Again establishing a correct formula for what "works" in this particular space.

Obviously a tried and true way is to offer a big established IP or brand that has a proven audience, but if you an unknown trying to break through... then what?

This gets down to the really toxic part.

The storefront/service operator is in it primarily for themselves. So over time they start low-balling the little guys and courting the big established players because they know a disproportionate amount of interest is going to be driven by a minority of providers. They can put their thumbs on the scale by giving "featured" status to those willing to play ball or have something to offer that aligns with their interest. They get to play kingmaker for the wealthy while letting the proles find their own way through the churn.

Its really not good on any dimension because its always about volume and commodity. It creates atrophy and stagnancy creatively because ultimately everyone providing content is a slave to the rules of the marketplace.

 

[Gojiira]

I think its funny how the ftc put the Activision will give MS Playstation secrets into the appeal.....they do realize MLB the show is made by Sony for the XBox right? No worry about secrets there I guess. Oh and how many games has insomniac made for xbox since sony purchased them? MS wants to bring gamepass to everyone no matter what console/phone/etc you own. How is it any different than EA or Ubisofts services? Not to mention they want to challenge apple and google stores so I dont think there will be very many exclusives period. Goes against what they are really trying to do in the long run.

Are you dumb? The point was Playstation worked with Activision to ensure CoD utilised all the PS5 features, as such they shared Console/Controller feature. They were saying that post-acquisition they wont be sharing specs with Acti since as part of MS thats giving your competition confidential info and as a result CoD will therefore not make full use of future hardware which in turns means Xbox Two X or whatever the fuck next gen will be will be more feature complete and thus more attractive for players.
The difference here is EA/Ubisoft aren’t OWNED by the competition so they would be breaching NDA’s etc by telling MS of Playstation proprietary tech…
And Insomniac havent made any game for Xbox since acquisition by Sony, they made Fuse for EA and Sunset Overdrive while they were still independent so thats completely irrelevant.

 

[Nubulax]

Sober assessment. I saw a tweet by Gene Park pointing out something similar. Basically, a whole bunch of fanboys have been tricked into rooting for the consolidation of the industry by a 2.5 trillion-dollar giant that doesn't even pay taxes. It's really insane when you think about it; I can't imagine that Jeff Bezos had this sort of cult following. Then again the days of people eyeing Microsoft in the 90s are gone and they've basically gotten away with everything - just how Amazon is today. Especially in the US, the courts are not working for the public, but for huge companies like these.

Especially when MS is literally paying Senators/House members lol... well paying them through campaign donations and what not

 

[Chiggs]

And the funniest shit is that Sony could have marketing rights for COD with "no Game Pass" provision for longer but dumb Jimbo refused.

I keep coming back to this, and it's something that was discussed months ago by myself and others--and no, don't worry, this isn't some ego-boosting "LOOK AT ME I WAS RIGHT AND I AM SMART!" posts.

But we all knew MS was desperate...they wanted to wrap this thing up, and I really feel that both Sony and the FTC could have pushed hard for more deals that would have benefitted them/consumers. And got them.

That's the art of business and/or compromise.

But let's be clear: it's really the FTC and their whiz kid leader that really needed a win here; Jim Ryan and crew might look a bit silly for leaving empty-handed, but on closer inspection they:

• Played the FTC like a piano
• Made MS sweat bullets

...so mission semi-accomplished.

Anyone else feeling a bit concerned about the state of our regulatory agencies?

The mirage we refer to as democracy.

This too, sadly.

 

[Pelta88]

Especially when MS is literally paying Senators/House members lol... well paying them through campaign donations and what not

The mirage we refer to as democracy.

 

[Topher]

The mirage we refer to as democracy.

Legalized bribery in the form of "campaign" contributions. It will be the United State's undoing.

 

[blacktout]

I don't think Microsoft has, or will offer the CMA anything that would satisfy what they outlined in the divestment document, so I still think this deal is dead.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_holdout

 

[//DEVIL//]

MS closes this deal and they will become Sony's biggest 3rd party publisher lol. just let that sink for a minute.

crazy times.

 

[adamsapple]

This @arvfab account behaviour seems familiar… Ezekiel is that you?

Mostly dormant account who started lol emojis shortly after ezekiel got permanently banned.

 

[feynoob]

Are you dumb? The point was Playstation worked with Activision to ensure CoD utilised all the PS5 features, as such they shared Console/Controller feature. They were saying that post-acquisition they wont be sharing specs with Acti since as part of MS thats giving your competition confidential info and as a result CoD will therefore not make full use of future hardware which in turns means Xbox Two X or whatever the fuck next gen will be will be more feature complete and thus more attractive for players.
The difference here is EA/Ubisoft aren’t OWNED by the competition so they would be breaching NDA’s etc by telling MS of Playstation proprietary tech…
And Insomniac havent made any game for Xbox since acquisition by Sony, they made Fuse for EA and Sunset Overdrive while they were still independent so thats completely irrelevant.

This argument makes no sense or whatever, considering MS owns Bethesda.

What if Bethesda want to make a game for PS6?
Would Sony ignore that too?

 

[gothmog]

Now that the appeal has failed Microsoft can drop the whole pretending this is urgent thing. It's shitty but that's our justice system.

 

[feynoob]

CMA hold us down baby!

I'm emailing my senator about how weak the FTC is in comparison. It's seems completely outclassed by the businesses it's s supposed to be regulating. And these budget cuts they're receiving surly aren't helping (with a hunch that's the intention).

I don't think Microsoft has, or will offer the CMA anything that would satisfy what they outlined in the divestment document, so I still think this deal is dead.

Money is a magical tool.

 

[Negotiator101]

If MS actually try subvert the CMA's decision and close the acquisition against it I genuinely hope the subsequent fines, asset seizures, financial sanctions, and other assorted responses deployed by the UK government are so severe that MS execs are forced to shutter the Xbox divsion and beg on their collective knees for a reprieve before their shareholders have them executed.

 

[Varteras]

Legalized bribery in the form of "campaign" contributions. It will be the United State's undoing.

The fact that Congress votes for its own raises will never cease to blow my mind. That no system has been set as a check and balance to that is probably the biggest robbery of tax payer money. When no matter how poorly they do collectively, they get theirs. Unless someone knows something about that which I don't.

 

[Kilau]

This argument makes no sense or whatever, considering MS owns Bethesda.

What if Bethesda want to make a game for PS6?
Would Sony ignore that too?

Bethesda has PS5 devs kits, they won’t get preproduction information on the PS6.

 

[93xfan]

You’ve shown yourself to be a hypocrite so don’t come at me with that not worth your time nonsense just because you aren’t capable of having an honest conversation. Hurts when your own argument is used against you huh?

No, I gladly admit I want MS to use this to the their advantage. Make Sony think twice about permanent Final Fantasy and Street Fighter exclusives. Hit Sony hard for using their lead position to try and keep games off Gamepass and Xbox.

If Sony wants more great exclusives, I’d recommend reviving Socom, Wipeout, Jumping Flash, Jet Moto, Motor Storm, and Twisted Metal.

I have no love for Sony these days. They shit on BC, disregard Socom, and can’t even keep up with Nintendo on bringing back emulated games. They also are quick to shut down servers. The loss of Evolution Studios and Team ICO really solidified that I’m done with them, at least for the foreseeable future. I don’t even know if PS4 games will be a hassle to run on the PS6, since they haven’t committed to forwards compatibility like MS has.

Xbox and Switch for me for the foreseeable future.

Anyway, I just want to see MS do what Sony would’ve done. Sony used their market leadership position as leverage and now MS has leverage. Don’t care about anyone’s view of fairness.

 

[GHG]

Welcome to GAF?

Most likely "welcome back".

When you see a new account posting ridiculous shit like that it always is.

 

[StreetsofBeige]

I keep coming back to this, and it's something that was discussed months ago by myself and others--and no, don't worry, this isn't some ego-boosting "LOOK AT ME I WAS RIGHT AND I AM SMART!" posts.

But we all knew MS was desperate...they wanted to wrap this thing up, and I really feel that both Sony and the FTC could have pushed hard for more deals that would have benefitted them/consumers. And got them.

That's the art of business and/or compromise.

But let's be clear: it's really the FTC and their whiz kid leader that really needed a win here; Jim Ryan and crew might look a bit silly for leaving empty-handed, but on closer inspection they:

• Played the FTC like a piano
• Made MS sweat bullets

...so mission semi-accomplished.

Anyone else feeling a bit concerned about the state of our regulatory agencies?



This too, sadly.

Sony and FTC made big mistakes.

1. MS even offered Sony a big COD deal like Nintendo and Sony balked. I doubt that deal is still on the table. All Sony had to do is agree to a giant deal and PS gamers would be guaranteed to have COD on PS5 and PS6. But now, who knows what will happen after their current marketing deal ends in 2 years

2. FTC had over a year and a half to get their act together. MS announced the deal in January 2022. If they cant prove the deal is bad in 18 months that's their incompetency. Even the CMA got MS to amp up their counter offer and are now in negotiations to finalize the deal with more MS concessions. It looks like the FTC got zero

 

[Negotiator101]

CMA hold us down baby!

I'm emailing my senator about how weak the FTC is in comparison. It's seems completely outclassed by the businesses it's s supposed to be regulating. And these budget cuts they're receiving surly aren't helping (with a hunch that's the intention).

I don't think Microsoft has, or will offer the CMA anything that would satisfy what they outlined in the divestment document, so I still think this deal is dead.

 

[feynoob]

Bethesda has PS5 devs kits, they won’t get preproduction information on the PS6.

I call that sus.

Sony makes MLB the show for Xbox. Nothing stops them from getting the new Xbox console info.

I think this is just theatrical performance, nothing more than that.

 

[Chiggs]

2. FTC had over a year and a half to get their act together. MS announced the deal in January 2022. If they cant prove the deal is bad in 18 months that's their incompetency. Even the CMA got MS to amp up their counter offer and are now in negotiations to finalize the deal with more MS concessions. It looks like the FTC got zero

Khan and her staff are more interested in being right than they are in being effective.

 

[Goblinlinguitic]

I was expecting a ban !
was just copium a sentence from a user ban on era
Not happening here just yet

 

[Ar¢tos]

Sony and FTC made big mistakes.

1. MS even offered Sony a big COD deal like Nintendo and Sony balked. I doubt that deal is still on the table

2. FTC had over a year and a half to get their act together. MS announced the deal in January 2022. If they cant prove the deal is bad in 18 months that's their incompetency. Even the CMA got MS to amp up their counter offer and are now in negotiations to finalize the deal with more MS concessions. It looks like the FTC got zero

A big COD deal where MS kept 100% of the profit of sales of extra content...

 

[feynoob]

The fact that Congress votes for its own raises will never cease to blow my mind. That no system has been set as a check and balance to that is probably the biggest robbery of tax payer money. When no matter how poorly they do collectively, they get theirs. Unless someone knows something about that which I don't.

Our Congress are good people. Don't bad mouth them.

US Politician Stock Trading, Congressman & Senator Share Trading Online

Smart Insider US Politician Stock Trading online, publishing of Congressmen and Senators detailed trades in company shares globally.

www.smartinsider.com

 

[Gudji]

CMA hold us down baby!

I'm emailing my senator about how weak the FTC is in comparison. It's seems completely outclassed by the businesses it's s supposed to be regulating. And these budget cuts they're receiving surly aren't helping (with a hunch that's the intention).

I don't think Microsoft has, or will offer the CMA anything that would satisfy what they outlined in the divestment document, so I still think this deal is dead.

CMA be like:

 

[adamsapple]

 

[DrFigs]

No, I gladly admit I want MS to use this to the their advantage. Make Sony think twice about permanent Final Fantasy and Street Fighter exclusives. Hit Sony hard for using their lead position to try and keep games off Gamepass and Xbox.

If Sony wants more great exclusives, I’d recommend reviving Socom, Wipeout, Jumping Flash, Jet Moto, Motor Storm, and Twisted Metal.

I have no love for Sony these days. They shit on BC, disregard Socom, and can’t even keep up with Nintendo on bringing back emulated games. They also are quick to shut down servers. The loss of Evolution Studios and Team ICO really solidified that I’m done with them, at least for the foreseeable future. I don’t even know if PS4 games will be a hassle to run on the PS6, since they haven’t committed to forwards compatibility like MS has.

Xbox and Switch for me for the foreseeable future.

Anyway, I just want to see MS do what Sony would’ve done. Sony used their market leadership position as leverage and now MS has leverage. Don’t care about anyone’s view of fairness.

If you think MS owning Call of Duty means that Playstation will fight LESS for exclusivity, you've lost your mind.

 

[Varteras]

I call that sus.

Sony makes MLB the show for Xbox. Nothing stops them from getting the new Xbox console info.

I think this is just theatrical performance, nothing more than that.

Microsoft wouldn't be required to do so. They could also decline to give a Sony studio early access to their hardware.

Our Congress are good people. Don't bad mouth them.

US Politician Stock Trading, Congressman & Senator Share Trading Online

Smart Insider US Politician Stock Trading online, publishing of Congressmen and Senators detailed trades in company shares globally.

www.smartinsider.com

I believe that as much as I believe Nancy Pelosi doesn't feed on children to stay alive.

 

[StreetsofBeige]

Khan and her staff are more interested in being right than they are in being effective.

In negotiations it's never about all or nothing unless one side is so confident in a landslide victory they can hold firm.

Even the CMA got MS to bend on stuff, and pressured MS to do Nintendo COD games. All the FTC had to do is agree to negotiated some terms. Better than nothing.

Think of it like buying a car. Car is $50,000. Unless it's the best selling car knowing it'll all sell for full price, the sales guy will bend. And in return it's not realistic for the customer to buy it for $20,000. Given the ballpark costs of a car to begin with you meet somewhere at a price which both sides do some give and take and there's a happy ending deal.

 

[Godot25]

I keep coming back to this, and it's something that was discussed months ago by myself and others--and no, don't worry, this isn't some ego-boosting "LOOK AT ME I WAS RIGHT AND I AM SMART!" posts.

But we all knew MS was desperate...they wanted to wrap this thing up, and I really feel that both Sony and the FTC could have pushed hard for more deals that would have benefitted them/consumers. And got them.

That's the art of business and/or compromise.

But let's be clear: it's really the FTC and their whiz kid leader that really needed a win here; Jim Ryan and crew might look a bit silly for leaving empty-handed, but on closer inspection they:

• Played the FTC like a piano
• Made MS sweat bullets

...so mission semi-accomplished.

Anyone else feeling a bit concerned about the state of our regulatory agencies?



This too, sadly.

And what Microsoft has to do with this?

Because I'm not talking about contracts that Microsoft offered to Sony but about deal Bobby Kotick offered Jim Ryan - extension of marketing agreement for Call of Duty which would make it impossible for Microsoft to put COD day one into Game Pass several years after merger.

Jim refused because he wanted to kill the deal.

 

[Kilau]

I call that sus.

Sony makes MLB the show for Xbox. Nothing stops them from getting the new Xbox console info.

I think this is just theatrical performance, nothing more than that.

Nothing sus, Sony has Xbox dev kits and MS has PS5 dev kits. What they don’t do is give each other preproduction information of what their next system will have.

Shock, ign gave an accurate report on this.

Sony Won't Share PlayStation 6 Plans With Activision if Microsoft Deal Goes Through - IGN

Sony has said it won't share plans for the PlayStation 6 with Activision Blizzard if Microsoft's $68.7 billion acquisition of the company goes through

www.ign.com

 

[Pelta88]

Legalized bribery in the form of "campaign" contributions. It will be the United State's undoing.

You need to see the UK.

Our system is the same it's just that our republicans (conservatives) don't brag in the same way.

 

[feynoob]

and a good morning to you too.

 

[Varteras]

and a good morning to you too.

She's not going to fuck you.

I, on the other hand, am lonely enough...

 

[Chiggs]

And what Microsoft has to do with this?

Because I'm not talking about contracts that Microsoft offered to Sony but about deal Bobby Kotick offered Jim Ryan - extension of marketing agreement for Call of Duty which would make it impossible for Microsoft to put COD day one into Game Pass several years after merger.

Jim refused because he wanted to kill the deal.

Oh, I think I misinterpreted your post slightly...but I still largely feel the same about what I posted.

Agree with the Jim Ryan comment, though.

 

[adamsapple]

She's not going to fuck you.

I, on the other hand, am lonely enough...