GHG
Gold Member
The mistake I once made was thinking some of these guys actually play games.
Never again.
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Microsoft / Activision Deal Approval Watch |OT| (MS/ABK close)
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The mistake I once made was thinking some of these guys actually play games.
Never again.
R3claimer117
Member
lol he’s probably had the most level headed and informative take on this whole process also if that allows him to gain followers who want to learn more in depth about the process fo how these things work. Which I recommend for future discussions so people can know more about what they’re saying instead of wishful thinking and having senjustsu reveal his entire work life in pictures on here to make points
. Best believe after this deal goes through the landscape will change and there will be more deals. For Microsoft standpoint it’s the best case scenario for them cause no other purchases they’re going to make will even come close to this. So picking up something for even 10 billion would look like peanuts cause of this 70 billion dollar deal.
SenjutsuSage
Banned
lol he’s probably had the most level headed and informative take on this whole process also if that allows him to gain followers who want to learn more in depth about the process fo how these things work. Which I recommend for future discussions so people can know more about what they’re saying instead of wishful thinking and having senjustsu reveal his entire work life in pictures on here to make points
I personally see them getting Crystal Dynamics and Eidos Montreal from Embracer Group along with the Tomb Raider and Deus Ex IPs.
I also suspect they're highly interested in CD Projekt Red for Cyberpunk and Witcher. Especially Cyberpunk, which I see getting even bigger.
FoxMcChief
Gold Member
When the acquisition goes through, what past Game will you download first? I think I’ll get the last Tony Hawk game.
SenjutsuSage
Banned
Talk about good timing lol. CWA showing Microsoft they're ride or die.
Cheezewizz
Banned
This is rich coming from a guy who should be paying rent he's here so often. And the only times he's not here is when he's stalking Idas or twitter for his next post.
My man, take some break. You need to lay off this website for a week.
SenjutsuSage
Banned
Well, the deal does make the industry more competitive. A lot more in fact. Therefore, not approving it does equal a less competitive industry. Sony explicitly does not want that more competitive hypothetical industry because they like things exactly as they are. And Sony is quite literally paying companies right now to keep specific titles and franchises from going to Game Pass. So it's rich when Sony is seemingly demanding, without paying the same large acquisition price Microsoft is, to have some type of equivalent or on equal terms access to COD and Activision games on PS+ while currently being guilty of paying Activision not to put Call of Duty onto Game Pass.
Absent deals like this, Microsoft can't break through truly bullshit arrangements like that. Sony does not get to have it both ways, and they likely won't have it that way.
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Not to mention it's pretty dumb to suggest their acquisition is innovation. You didn't invent consoles, game subscription services or cloud gaming. Hell the company you are calling blockbuster had all these before you.
ChorizoPicozo
Member
So now MS believes they are going to kill PlayStation, Isn't that anti-competitive?
Menzies
Banned
To everyone but you and blind Freddy there's an appreciation and understanding of the innovative 'day and date' content offering and value proposition of Game Pass though.
To the tune where industry analysts and journalists were repeatedly calling for Sony's 'answer to Game Pass'. And Sony eventually revamped their own multi-game subscription service to imitate the size and shape of Game Pass to better position itself as a competitor.
I read it as they're calling out Sony choosing to persist with more antiquated business models against more consumer-friendly convenience services.
gothmog
Gold Member
So what do these things have to do with Activision Blizzard? Seems like FUD to me. You would think the FTC and Sony were invading a small country based on the PR push the last day or so.
Menzies
Banned
The CEO of Activision is on record saying they will never support subscription services. MS would argue this gives consumers their content with this modern convenience against the counterfactual. Consumers have quickly adopted other modern day media subscriptions such as Netflix promoting instant gratification, buffet-style content and availability. They're just pushing the 'we're consumer friendly' line here.
freefornow
Gold Member
Why not Embracer Group period!? Valued at 58 Billion SEK which is roughly 5.5 Billion $US. Offer them (or their stock holders) the equivalent of 8 Billion $US.
Pocket change compared to Acti/Bliz/King.
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gothmog
Gold Member
A new CEO who would support subscription services would also do the trick, right? Microsoft is not the only company interested in subscription services.
12Dannu123
Member
They didn't invent, but they definitely are making it more mainstream.
Regarding Cloud Gaming, Sony bought Gaikai and Onlive, used to launch PS Now and did nothing with it and as a result Sony has been overtaken and is complaining to the CMA about how Microsoft has an advantage in Cloud Gaming.
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I find it hilarious that people thinks that comment comparing Sony to Blockbuster will get Microsoft in trouble. I mean, Smith is not stupid and he know what he can and can't write. His literal job is to have good relationships with governments and agencies to help Microsoft's business.
And especially...them comparing Microsoft vs. Sony to Netflix vs. Blockbuster is not about "Sony is doomed." It is more about "Sony should stop blocking progress and adapt to developing market - ie. subscription services."
Which is logical. Sony is stubborn to have things in a way they worked for them last gen. Slowly migrating users to digital to grow their profit margins from every copy of game sold. They don't want to take risks necessary to build a competing service to Game Pass. Yes, they have PS Plus, but until that sub service will get day one first-party games, Game Pass will be always ahead.
So Smith is implying that Sony is Blockbuster in a sense that they are leaning towards "old ways." Which is fine. And I think that Sony's business is strong enough to last several years even decades. But they need to adapt. And solution to that is really simple. Sony just is not willing to do it and they are risking that train will leave a station.
Sony has bad habit of abandoning or ignoring things until their asses are catching fire. They bought Gaikai, launched PS Now and instead of molding it to suit their needs they left it half-dead. And now they are paying the price by not having necessary infrastructure to have competent streaming service (PS Plus still does not support PS5 games). They started to do something about it (allowing local play) when Game Pass started to pick up. They launched first big sub service in gaming, and also ignored it for a few years until competition left them in rear mirrors.
And especially...them comparing Microsoft vs. Sony to Netflix vs. Blockbuster is not about "Sony is doomed." It is more about "Sony should stop blocking progress and adapt to developing market - ie. subscription services."
Which is logical. Sony is stubborn to have things in a way they worked for them last gen. Slowly migrating users to digital to grow their profit margins from every copy of game sold. They don't want to take risks necessary to build a competing service to Game Pass. Yes, they have PS Plus, but until that sub service will get day one first-party games, Game Pass will be always ahead.
So Smith is implying that Sony is Blockbuster in a sense that they are leaning towards "old ways." Which is fine. And I think that Sony's business is strong enough to last several years even decades. But they need to adapt. And solution to that is really simple. Sony just is not willing to do it and they are risking that train will leave a station.
Sony has bad habit of abandoning or ignoring things until their asses are catching fire. They bought Gaikai, launched PS Now and instead of molding it to suit their needs they left it half-dead. And now they are paying the price by not having necessary infrastructure to have competent streaming service (PS Plus still does not support PS5 games). They started to do something about it (allowing local play) when Game Pass started to pick up. They launched first big sub service in gaming, and also ignored it for a few years until competition left them in rear mirrors.
feynoob
Banned
Damn, you got me boy.
I am a lazy basement dweller, typing from super ultra gaming PC.
And that company has abandoned and a last priority both,the subscription model and the game in the cloud, and is only focused on maintaining the same business model and refusing to adapt or trying to prevent others from doing so...... ie like Blockbuster did and hence the analogy.
Innovating is much more than just "inventing", which Sony did not do either.
Bonsaibäumchen
Member
How so? Are you even aware what Playstation subscription Services offer?
Cloud/Streaming is still a thing just so you know.
And you get tons of free games to play, too.
Yes I am, maybe you are the one who is not aware of the weight of cloud gaming and subscription models on Xbox compared to PS.
Sony's effort in cloud gaming is minimal and reduced to BC games and there is no intention to change now. XCloud is almost a platform in itself by comparison.
PS subscriptions are in a second degree of priority compared to the traditional model and Sony has already expressed its intention not to change that model.
Sony knows that with Activision games on Gamepass it will be more difficult to maintain its status quo and will force to make moves..... and that's what Sony don't want. Hence his high degree of opposition to the purchase of Activision by MS.
Sorry, but we are more than 2 years into generation and there is still no possibility to play PS5 games through cloud. And nothing is on the imminent horizon. That should tell you level of investment Sony is making to cloud gaming.
Same applies to PlayStation Plus. I know that many Sony fans likes to argue about number of games PS Plus Extra (and Premium) has over Game Pass, but it is clear, which company is investing into their subscription service and which is like "whatever..." Need I remind you that Stray is only day one PS Plus game after 6 months of service on the market?
And funniest thing about all of this is, that Sony had "first mover" advantage in both of those categories. But they squandered it and now they are crying that they can't catch Microsoft.
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TheDreadLord
Member
MS strategy is more on building up quickly the subscription service. Embracer group, Paradox and other companies hold IPs that would make a lot of sense for GamePass (especially on the PC side) but they aren’t IPs that attract the “casuals” which are the bulk of people playing games. These people only play the same old COD/FIFA.
ManaByte
Member
I’m fine with PS+ streaming not having PS5 games yet. I just want to be able to stream on something other than a PC or console. That limits the service. I haven’t been able to play a PS game since September since I’ve had my consoles in storage due to a huge move. Meanwhile I’ve been streaming GamePass games at 60fps on shit hotel WiFi that doesn’t even meet the minimum speed requirements just on a web browser on my MBP.
Well. Since developers are slowly moving towards "PS5 only" development, it will become a problem sooner than later. Forspoken is PS5 only, Spider-Man 2 presumably too. And I know that both of those games won't end up in sub service day one, but they will get there eventually.
Meanwhile, the moment Starfield comes out, you will be able to play it on Xbox One (and clusterfuck of other devices) through xCloud despite fact that game won't be native for Xbox One.
R3claimer117
Member
I can see the first two as they’re heavily involved in the development of fable and perfect dark. I don’t think Microsoft wants cdpr plus that’s a public traded company I don’t think Microsoft wants to go through this activision thing anytime soon. I can see them picking up individually like avalanche who’s working on contraband and maybe a Japanese publisher.
Thirty7ven
Banned
I’m sure dozens of people will play Starfield through Xcloud on Xbox one, DOZENS
Maybe it would surprise you
https://www.vg247.com/microsoft-fli...-and-theres-a-plan-to-attract-even-more-users
Thirty7ven
Banned
You got numbers on Xbox one or just a bundle of numberless data?
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You got even a slight hint to support your claim? Or you taking your "data" from your ass?
I mean. At least I provided something that was publicly said
And not "what I think will happen"
Thirty7ven
Banned
You got even a slight hint to support your claim? Or you taking your "data" from your ass?
I mean. At least I provided something that was publicly said
I can look at steam charts and apparently over there you got +- 5k concurrent players so unless you’re ready to sell me a bridge I don’t see where you can go from here.
Don’t give me that 1 download = 1 active user.
I'm sure you can "download" a cloud session
Jesus. At least admit that your attempt to mock "dozens" of players playing through xCloud was pretty sad. Mockery is hard thing to do if you don't know what are you talking about
Hendrick's
If only my penis was as big as my GamerScore!
feynoob
Banned
Steam concurrent users isn't indicate of the userbase.
Thirty7ven
Banned
You can extrapolate. It’s not like you’re going to have a million active users per month on a 5k average for concurrent users. All time on steam is 61k so the numbers on Xbox One will be basically irrelevant.
adamsapple
Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
feynoob
Banned
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ManaByte
Member
5 million out of 30 million.
ChorizoPicozo
Member
But they aren't. I read it just as a PR BS.
Punished Miku
Human Rights Subscription Service
It's PR. The full change hasn't happened yet. It may never happen. It's a guess.
Meanwhile in other news, every other form of media on earth has shifted to subscription models as the dominant form. Gaming is rapidly majority digital sales.
Guess we'll see how it goes.
ChorizoPicozo
Member
Yeah but it hasn't been easy or a slam dunk.
Is pretty well know that artists are angry at Spotify.
the streaming warz and theatrical release windows has been a clusterfuck for the studios in past 2 years.
Subscription services are here to stay but the issue is not about AA, indies or middle-of-the-road games.
I think MS is going keep this practice of "negative release window" like they did with Forza.
Punished Miku
Human Rights Subscription Service
It may never happen, who knows. Gaming may have unique challenges movies and music don't due to latency, the need for a controller, or the high difficulty of games just being a more limiting form of media compared to purely passive media like movies/music. But they're making a sound bet that it will happen based on multiple past examples. Not a slam dunk, not a guarantee, but a logical bet. We'll see. Luckily, even with movies most of them are still available physically if you want it. I like options.
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ChorizoPicozo
Member
Streaming as in Netflix/Disney+
feynoob
Banned
They won't reach alot of audience without Spotify or other streaming service.
ManaByte
Member
Again, I've been streaming GP games at 60fps on HOTEL WIFI that doesn't even meet the minimum speed requirements for streaming. GeForce Now can even do 120fps now. So the latency argument is honestly bullshit FUD.
Cheezewizz
Banned
Nobody said easy or a slam dunk. You're the one who said "they aren't", but has since moved the goalpost to your quote above.
Which artists, and what are they angry at Spotify for? Outside of Joe Rogan earlier this year.
Okay, which was entirely due to the pandemic. False equivalency.
Why don't you just save yourself the time, and say there's really no issue.
Punished Miku
Human Rights Subscription Service
Really depends on the area you're in, location to MS streaming centers, data caps. It's not FUD. I've tried it multiple times and I was impressed with it. Definitely noticed some latency at times and resolution drops at times. Still better than I expected. There are lots of rural areas in the US that literally don't even have broadband yet. Your experience is not exactly the same as everyone else's, obviously.
ChorizoPicozo
Member
Becasue the dude didn't't ask about it
Are you going to ask how "they aren't" or are you going to ignore it too?
Google it .
The pandemic just exacerbate the transition. Now the studios are sill trying to figure out this shit.
There are HUGE implications (outside the scope of this interaction) and I already made comments about it.
The point I am making (use your brain) is:
1. Comment about Sony being blockbuster they need to evolve if they dont want to be left behind
2. Sony has been offering video games with a subscription even before Xbox.
"Oh...but is about Day One Games"
Sure...sony has made a handful of releases day one as well. What is the big deal.
"Oh.... But is about AAA games Day One"
And that is what I am saying. That's is the fucking point, the drama, the controversy is categorical about AAA Day One games.
But because people talk hyperbolically in a generalized way. They say services like Game Pass are bad. They aren't.
They fact that MS had a "Negative day release window" proves my point.
ChorizoPicozo
Member
Which doesn't materialize in more money for the artists.
ManaByte
Member
I'm in a place where there are areas so rural they don't even have cellphone service.
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