Support NeoGAF

[Lupin25]

Remember when the deal was first announced and people here were trying to convince everyone that losing CoD would have no detrimental effect on Sony?

Seems Sony disagrees.

I remember people were saying it would have no affect on them, personally, because they don’t play the game. It would obviously have an effect, but that doesn’t matter if the stipulation is for it to remain multiplatform.

Exactly. It's all stupid reasoning.

If you are "4ThePlayers", why don't you put your first party games on your subscription service day one and eat the loses?

"Oh our games are so cool and cinematic they can't be put on a subscription service day one. Please believe us or we're not gonna spend money on the next one ".

Game development has ballooned. Disney doesn’t put all of their premium movies up day one either (even with 200+ subs)?

You’re supposed to get the most out of your investment to reinvest back in to create more exclusives. They’re not going to take a loss just to do it.

Edit: Remember, these are single player exclusives without much multiplayer, so they’re only on 1/2 platforms, which means the return is much smaller than 3rd parties like COD.

Why would you want game subs over game sales if they’re buying your games?

This is basically Sony admitting that they can't compete with MS when it comes to the long game. At some point Sony will just have to face the fact. MS is a $2 trillion dollar company with unlimited resources. Sony is barely a $100B company and in our lifetime will never come close to sniffing the financial might that MS wields. After the Activision deal closes, MS can easily go out, acquire Ubi, Take-Two, Capcom, EA and that cost would still be chump change to them. MS will become the dominant force in gaming. It's not a matter of IF, but when.

“Easily” isn’t what’s happening now, though. There’s stipulations for this deal to proceed.

You can’t easily purchase any company that wants independence either. Take-Two has made that very clear lately.

If you think Microsoft would ever be able to buy all of those companies i have bad news for you.

It's not about if they have the money...it's the fact they would have a monopoly on their hands...that would never be approved

Yeah and they still have to see the return on other investments as well. The game industry is not a toy shop like some may have you believe here lol.

 

[Salty Popsicle]

The scale is not even comparable.
It’s like buying Doritos vs the whole store

Sony would have bought the store too if they could afford to. Let's not pretend it's a sense of moral that's been holding them back

 

[Dane]

There's always excuses why it's "different."

Reminder that Sony was at odds with Psygnosis doing multiplatform (dunno how the buying deal was structured) and was looking to sell it but gave up once they realized it was worth 300 million dollars at the time, it was 10x what they had paid back in 93.

 

[64bitmodels]

Sony would have bought the store too if they could afford to.

best substitute for buying the whole shop is to just buy the stock the shop gets instead of taking the whole thing. it's cheaper :3

 

[Salty Popsicle]

Is COD still a powerhouse? I assumed people must have gotten sick of it by now.

People say they are sick of COD, but those same people are there on multiplayer lobbies on day one.

 

[AmuroChan]

“Easily” isn’t what’s happening now, though. There’s stipulations for this deal to proceed.

You can’t easily purchase any company that wants independence either. Take-Two has made that very clear lately.

Let me clarify. I meant they can easily afford to acquire them, strictly in terms of cost, not considering any regulatory hurdles they'd have to jump through.

 

[Salty Popsicle]

That's a blatant lie, they have Bungie

Destiny was a hit, no argument there. But even Destiny was a drop in the bucket compared to annual COD sales. If Destiny had really rivaled COD revenue, Activision would never have allowed Bungie to buy themselves out and take the IP.

 

[Ozzy Onya A2Z]

Stay lying two faced cunts Sony/lawyers. Do what you do best. Twats. I have no interest in such fuckery by corporations. Just make great games, most everything else is a detractor.

 

[AmuroChan]

Destiny was a hit, no argument there. But even Destiny was a drop in the bucket compared to annual COD sales. If Destiny had really rivaled COD revenue, Activision would never have allowed Bungie to buy themselves out and take the IP.

If Destiny was bringing in that kind of revenue, Bungie would cost a lot more than $2B. Last I checked, I think COD makes something like $3B-$4B in revenue per year.

 

[CaptainSlayAHo]

Lmao some of the mental gymnastics I fucking swear

"xbox has no exclusives from Sony"

*Xbox buys zenimax and Activision "

" they'll definitely still share once regulatory commissions are off their backs uwu! "

 

[MrTroubleMaker]

sony why you be so incompetent

 

[Salty Popsicle]

Some people are legit stupid enough to think Xbox will throw away money by ignoring COD on PlayStation platforms. A platform north of +140 million users. Like....FUCK !!
Yeah screw PlayStation, because lets keep COD exclusive to Xbox only and ignore the millions of dollars in additional revenue the IP can generate on competing platforms

Microsoft is perfectly fine doing that with Starfield and TES6.

 

[CaptainSlayAHo]

Microsoft is perfectly fine doing that with Starfield and TES6.

It's almost like it'll still be available on pc/mobile/tvs or something too

But naw dude, they're going to share 30% of revenue with Sony because they're besties

 

[DForce]

I remember when some people claimed that Sony will just develop a CoD killer to deal with that. Good times.

Actually, I remember people saying they'll just develop their own multiplayer titles, not that it would be a COD Killer.

I also recall in the same conversation that Xbox fans were saying that Sony couldn't develop a Multiplayer bigger than Halo and Gears..

That's funny considering where Halo has ended up within the past 8 months.

 

[Slicker than your average]

1. Never said MS would make games exclusive. I'm well aware of COD and Minecraft.
2. Never said MS is acquiring the "industry".
3. I said they would become the dominant force in the industry, because of GP.
4. GP will not only offer the best value in gaming, but also the service with the best catalog of games. Until Sony or Nintendo are willing to match GP with their respective subscription services, GP has no competition at this moment.

You obviously can't read along with the op it seems.

 

[AmuroChan]

You obviously can't read along with the op it seems.

Sorry, but not sure what you're referring to.

 

[lh032]

Microsoft is perfectly fine doing that with Starfield and TES6.

Too early to say that?
We all thought Halo Infinite is going to do fine lol

 

[tmlDan]

This bit from Sony is crazy....

"They say that over the past five years, Game Pass has grown to capture approximately 60-70% of the global subscription services market (that marketshare is even greater in Brazil, where Game Pass represents approximately 70-80% of the PC subscription services market).

They believe that it would take several years for a competitor – even with substantial investments – to create a rival effective for Game Pass.

Call of Duty represents an important revenue stream for the PlayStation (they provided data but it's redacted), and it is one of SIE's biggest sources of revenue from third parties."

They seem shook.

Wouldn't you be? essentially MS has the ability to sell everything at a loss because of their infinite revenue streams (et la being one of the biggest companies in the world).

That very ability makes them scary, they can money hat everything until they force themselves to be market leader. That's essentially why the FTC is involved at all.

 

[64bitmodels]

they can money hat everything until they force themselves to be market leader.

they haven't been doing that for the past 20 years so why do you think they'll do that now?

 

[CaptainSlayAHo]

they haven't been doing that for the past 20 years so why do you think they'll do that now?

Video games aren't the same market they were 20 years ago


But I'm sure they've spent near 80 billion dollars the last few years for no particular reason

 

[I collect VHS tapes]

pathetic tbh

 

[64bitmodels]

Video games aren't the same market they were 20 years ago

the microsoft we knew 20 years ago was also far more competitive and ruthless and was willing to monopolize every single thing they could, yet they didn't bother with video games

But I'm sure they've spent near 80 billion dollars the last few years for no particular reason

it's all for gamepass, not for the market. if Microsoft was really gonna monopolize the gaming industry, don't you think they'd have made an attempt to purchase Nintendo when they were at their lowest (wii u era) or Sony?

 

[CaptainSlayAHo]

the microsoft we knew 20 years ago was also far more competitive and ruthless and was willing to monopolize every single thing they could, yet they didn't bother with video games

Wow it's almost like video games weren't the same market like I said

it's all for gamepass, not for the market. if Microsoft was really gonna monopolize the gaming industry, don't you think they'd have made an attempt to purchase Nintendo when they were at their lowest (wii u era) or Sony?

They couldn't buy Nintendo or Sony if they wanted to due to Japanese regulations, and yeah, it's for gamepass.... Guess what draws more users to gamepass! Exclusives!

Mind=blown

 

[AmuroChan]

the microsoft we knew 20 years ago was also far more competitive and ruthless and was willing to monopolize every single thing they could, yet they didn't bother with video games

it's all for gamepass, not for the market. if Microsoft was really gonna monopolize the gaming industry, don't you think they'd have made an attempt to purchase Nintendo when they were at their lowest (wii u era) or Sony?

Actually, Microsoft did try to buy Nintendo, but got laughed out of the room.

Microsoft tried to buy Nintendo, but got laughed out of the room

Specifically, the Xbox was unveiled at CES in 2001 — to commemorate that launch, Bloomberg has published an in-depth oral history of how the console came to be. It’s a fascinating read, but one particular passage stands out: details on Microsoft’s efforts to secure games for the brand-new...

www.engadget.com

Microsoft just memorialized its failed attempt to buy Nintendo in 1999 by sharing a letter it sent the Japanese gaming giant

In 1999, when Microsoft execs approached Nintendo about buying the company, Nintendo reportedly "just laughed their asses off" before saying no.

www.businessinsider.com

 

[64bitmodels]

Guess what draws more users to gamepass! Exclusives!

Exclusives aren't that popular outside of nintendo. Gamepass draws more users to Gamepass because its inherently a service most casuals would like to have

Wow it's almost like video games weren't the same market like I said

computers weren't the same market in the 90s as they are now and yet MS was forward thinking enough to capture that part of the market instantly and secure their place as the 2nd richest company in the world
nothing was stopping them from going ham in the video game sector and acquiring every single little thing they could- but they didn't. They're not this big threat like sony or any of yall make them out to be.

 

[Hawking Radiation]

Microsoft is perfectly fine doing that with Starfield and TES6.

And neither have the pulling power of COD
Starfield is a new IP too FFS

I dunno why people keep lumping a new IP into the same category as the titans of the industry

 

[chessy_08]

Oh look click bait. Anyone remember when Microsoft had timed exclusive cod content. Playstation fans had to wait a long time to get the same dlc that was almost always inferior on PlayStation for no reason. That's just business. But taking away an entire franchise that brings in a crap ton of money regardless of how good it is is bad for business regardless of who gets the game. If Microsoft does end up making cod a Xbox exclusive I wish to see what sony plus Bungie can accomplish. Sony first party runs circles around Xbox first party.

 

[CaptainSlayAHo]

Exclusives aren't that popular outside of nintendo. Gamepass draws more users to Gamepass because its inherently a service most casuals would like to have

Good point, can't wait to see starfield on PS5 and gow ragnarok on Xbox ya Muppet

nothing was stopping them from going ham in the video game sector and acquiring every single little thing they could- but they didn't. They're not this big threat like sony or any of yall make them out to be.

Nothing besides the multiple monopoly charges you mean, woah it's almost like they'd do the bare minimum next time around to avoid that again!

Mind=blown

 

[01011001]

I wish to see what sony plus Bungie can accomplish.

not much... Destiny 3, is what they can accomplish lol
we are talking about 1 studio here that has exactly 2 IPs under their belt, and 1 of these is basically worthless

 

[64bitmodels]

Nothing besides the multiple monopoly charges you mean, woah it's almost like they'd do the bare minimum next time around to avoid that again!

if that's the case why are you guys trying to make them out like a potential threat when it's already stated they have the government watching over them

 

[bender]

not much... Destiny 3, is what they can accomplish lol
we are talking about 1 studio here that has exactly 2 IPs under their belt, and 1 of these is basically worthless

#FreeOni

 

[01011001]

#FreeOni

Take 2 have that IP in their sex dungeon, it will never be seen again lol

 

[CaptainSlayAHo]

if that's the case why are you guys trying to make them out like a potential threat when it's already stated they have the government watching over them

All I really said is that Cod mainline won't be on playstation for too long.

The fact that they aren't a threat is why Microsoft won't fully share with them over time

 

[bender]

Take 2 have that IP in their sex dungeon, it will never be seen again lol

I know. Maybe they'll get bored and do SciFi GTA and dust off the cobwebs. Worked for Red Dead Revolver.

 

[BeardGawd]

Because it could weaken PlayStation and their ability to stay competitive.

That's the whole point of acquisitions.

 

[BreakOut]

It’s already going to stay multiplat. They don’t really need to compete against it.

 

[hlm666]

So who knows someone in Brazil they can buy off with some gamepass subs to get a copy of the redacted financials. I wonder if this whole shit storm would have been avoided if Sony didn't start applying the screws to gamepass in their exclusive deals.

 

[Rac3r]

Joe Smhoe is a blatant Xbox fanboy account and also a dumbass who can’t read. The title of this thread is a straight up lie smh.

 

[Lasha]

I remember people were saying it would have no affect on them, personally, because they don’t play the game. It would obviously have an effect, but that doesn’t matter if the stipulation is for it to remain multiplatform.



Game development has ballooned. Disney doesn’t put all of their premium movies up day one either (even with 200+ subs)?

You’re supposed to get the most out of your investment to reinvest back in to create more exclusives. They’re not going to take a loss just to do it.

Edit: Remember, these are single player exclusives without much multiplayer, so they’re only on 1/2 platforms, which means the return is much smaller than 3rd parties like COD.

Why would you want game subs over game sales if they’re buying your games?



“Easily” isn’t what’s happening now, though. There’s stipulations for this deal to proceed.

You can’t easily purchase any company that wants independence either. Take-Two has made that very clear lately.



Yeah and they still have to see the return on other investments as well. The game industry is not a toy shop like some may have you believe here lol.

The logic behind putting exclusives on your subscription service is sound. The attach rate for the PS4 is roundabout 8 or less than one game per year. If you can get a casual player to subscribe to a service that is 15$ per month an amount of revenue equivalent to three full-priced titles is generated. Even if you spend a third of subscription revenues on third party deals you have still effectively doubled customer value. Those customers also still buy DLC and other MTX.

The cost of cancelling a subscription becomes bigger as time passes since the service constitutes an ever growing portion of the subscribers library. It's the same logic behind giving away "free" games every month with XBL/PSN: get the users hooked and make leaving painful. Gamepass is a logical progression of the strategy. I think Sony would attempt the same if it had the resources of Microsoft.

 

[Salty Popsicle]

And neither have the pulling power of COD
Starfield is a new IP too FFS

I dunno why people keep lumping a new IP into the same category as the titans of the industry

TES is a legendary IP that definitely pulls it's weight against a franchise like COD. Starfield may be a new IP, but it was impressive enough that Sony attempted to buy exclusivity rights to the game before the general public even knew it existed. We all know how that turned out...

 

[reksveks]

I agree with the comments that Joe is a fanboy warrior and that the OP title is off.

Weird if they do use the 60-70% number for the Xbox Gamepass Subscription marketshare. We would have some people here who probably disagree with that number.

Unsurprisingly Sony isn't too pleased by this deal, let's see what the Brazilian regulators do.

 

[GhostOfTsu]

Psygnosis at one point had 45% of the marketshare in Europe. Where does Activision have 45% marketshare?

The figure is 40% and it was 3 years after Sony acquired them. They were multiplatforms the whole time. None of their franchises were ever as big as COD or Warcraft so it's basically useless with the point you're trying to make.

 

[Salty Popsicle]

Microsoft said they'll continue to support existing communities and honour existing contracts re the Bethesda deal

Microsoft said the above, in addition to pledging that they'll continue to release games beyond those contracts re the Activision deal

Again, listen the lawyers.

"Existing communities" may mean just maintaining the servers/lobbies for legacy COD titles and occasional quality of life updates. It doesn't guarantee anything beyond that.

 

[Fredrik]

They said that Gamepass has a 60-70% market share among subscription services.

Weren’t there a thread just days ago that placed PS+ above Gamepass?

 

[CaptainSlayAHo]

"Existing communities" may mean just maintaining the servers/lobbies for legacy COD titles and occasional quality of life updates. It doesn't guarantee anything beyond that.

Wouldn't surprise me either if spyro or crash remain on playstation (and everywhere else) either.

Neither draw console purchases while Nintendo exists, and pulling a children's franchise (don't hate just being real) is MUCH different than call of duty from a pr standpoint, regardless of the age of the active players

 

[Fredrik]

After the Activision deal closes, MS can easily go out, acquire Ubi, Take-Two, Capcom, EA and that cost would still be chump change to them.

Actually, after this deal closes MS has made sure that they can never acquire Ubi, Take-Two, Capcom, EA. They’re too big at that point.

 

[64bitmodels]

It's not about if they have the money...it's the fact they would have a monopoly on their hands...that would never be approved

how would it be a monopoly when Sony and Nintendo still have the majority playerbase?

 

[CaptainSlayAHo]

Actually, after this deal closes MS has made sure that they can never acquire Ubi, Take-Two, Capcom, EA. They’re too big at that point.

Ubi could still be acquired, market cap of 5 billion wouldn't make much difference in market share, Capcom is a couple billion more and Japan probably wouldn't allow it, take two is 21+ to Capcoms 7, and EA is 35, neither would be likely to pass

But ubi definitely could, would be 2 billion less than zenimax, and wb games are still somewhere in the mix as well for likely less than ubisofts 5

 

[Kagey K]

They said that Gamepass has a 60-70% market share among subscription services.

Weren’t there a thread just days ago that placed PS+ above Gamepass?

That was a survey, not empirical evidence of market share apparently.

 

[Fredrik]

Ubi could still be acquired, market cap of 5 billion wouldn't make much difference in market share, Capcom is a couple billion more and Japan probably wouldn't allow it, take two is 21+ to Capcoms 7, and EA is 35, neither would be likely to pass

But ubi definitely could, would be 2 billion less than zenimax, and wb games are still somewhere in the mix as well for likely less than ubisofts 5

In theory, yes, but when they buy Zenimax and then Activision Blizzard shortly after the concern is very much valid that they’re gulping up too many studios too fast. Every acquisition from there on will be seen as problematic.