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[Yoboman]

EA would give them Battlefield and Apex that they can prop up against Call of Duty in the future. It'll also give them another route to big those big-name IP-licensed games like Star Wars.

However, EA is just way too expensive I believe.

It would be closer to a merger with EA. And EA is toxic to anything it touches

 

[aries_71]

Suddenly all concerns for market concentration disappeared. Now it’s all talk about Sony should buy this, Sony should buy that. Uncle Phil may take you word and tear the floor up.

 

[FoxMcChief]

You are tired of good games released on a regular basis?

Once MS owns enough, the games will come. We are already seeing this happening this year.

 

[Ass of Can Whooping]

We were betrayed

 

[dotnotbot]

Once MS owns enough, the games will come. We are already seeing this happening this year.

The games that would come anyway will come (but not on Playstation this time), what a miracle, truly an improvement for the industry

 

[mansoor1980]

We were betrayed

UK CMA betrayed homeboy jim ryan

 

[ToadMan]

Based on the fact that people will now believe it's coming to gamepass and not buy it. Put your warrior bullshit away.

That’s my plan now. Although I’ll also say I’m underwhelmed by the open beta so that makes it easier just to wait for a GP release.

Still that is money Sony/ABK have lost because I’d probably have bought it there. Now it’ll be PC GP.

EDIT : Oh I should add on the assumption the acquisition goes through. I know everyone is jumping to a conclusion based on this CMA change, but they haven’t amended remedies as yet and there are more regulatory hurdles to go.

 

[aries_71]

We were betrayed

It’s game over, man. It’s game over. Sorry you had to come back in these days of infamy and betrayal.

 

[intheinbetween]

The comparison between this deal with the Nvida/ARM one makes me chuckle.

Basically comparing the impact on technology, business and society of the gaming industry with the chip /semiconductor industry.

Just take a look at Broadcom, they’re having a hard time passing the VMware acquisition deal in every region, BC expected to close the deal on FY23 and it seems it can go beyond that in best case scenario

 

[Banjo64]

I like GTA way more than COD but from a financial standpoint if COD went Xbox exclusive and GTA went Playstation exclusive that would be a massively slanted trade towards Xbox. GTA is a generation defining game every 6-10 years where COD would be the best selling game basically every other year. Obviously would be a massive lose-lose for gamers though

GTA V has made on average $911m per year from release up to 2022, due to GTA online.

The initial budget for the game was $265m.

Now each CoD (or the more popular ones) will also hits $1b+, but considering the entire development/management costs (having how many major studios working on the cycle?), I’m not sure which option is more lucrative from a business POV.

 

[Banjo64]

We were betrayed

Welcome back Ass. I hope you’ve served CatLady her divorce papers over this.

The only saving grace for me is that we might see a Toys For Bob Banjo. I’m kidding myself though.

 

[Topher]

It is 3:30 am. Just woke up to the weirdest dream that the CMA caved and the ABK acquisition was a done deal.

What did I drink last night?

 

[Topher]

We were betrayed

He's back!

 

[Ass of Can Whooping]

He's back!

Welcome back Ass. I hope you’ve served CatLady her divorce papers over this.

The only saving grace for me is that we might see a Toys For Bob Banjo. I’m kidding myself though.

You're too kind.

I know many of you have been anticipating this day

 

[FriulHado]

Can’t wait to discover next Microsoft’s acquisition. When this deal will close, I hope something of Japanese dev. maybe Sega?
Phil said that. The shopping isn’t done.
Let’s go !

 

[MasterCornholio]

You're too kind.

I know many of you have been anticipating this day

 

[Ass of Can Whooping]

There will be a reckoning

 

[3liteDragon]

We were betrayed

You really came back at the worst time.

 

[Ass of Can Whooping]

You really came back at the worst time.

Was debating whether or not I should call someone a dumbass again to extend my ban

But i can't abandon my bros in their hour of need

 

[Sony]

We don't know that, Microsoft requested redaction on the contracts for a reason.

What does content parity mean to you? Or did they request redaction after CMA changed their stance?

 

[phil_t98]

We were betrayed

Or your assumptions were just wrong over this deal

 

[Ass of Can Whooping]

Or your assumptions were just wrong over this deal

When we enact vengeance you'll be next in line after the CMA

 

[phil_t98]

When we enact vengeance you'll be next in line after the CMA

Mate, I have a ps5 to do I benifits both ways don’t you worry

 

[Ass of Can Whooping]

Mate, I have a ps5

Not for long

 

[feynoob]

We were betrayed

Welcome back brother.

 

[GHG]

"The CMA simply acted to give an image of impartiality and independence from Sony in its decision, but it had already decided to block using another reason (cloudgaming?)"

Is correct?

 

[Dick Jones]

This 10 year deal doesn't need to be signed. MS have supplied information to regulators showing that it would be financially damaging to remove COD from Playstation so Sony should accept that MS will continue to release the games on PS like they do with Steam. Phil Spencer said COD would remain on PS like Minecraft.

In reality, it would speed up MS breaking their statements to regulators and put brakes on future attempts for expansion. The main issue with this purchase is that others such as Amazon and Tencent now have no restrictions to consolidating the gaming market. They can show regulators its competitors have 100% of the market and can spend over 100bn on acquisitons before questions can be raised. MS' non competition Sony was damaged to strengthen its declared competition. Great move

 

[Wind's Howling]

The one thing I do not understand is as to how these regulators are not looking at the history of Microsoft and breaking their promises.

The more recent example is Redfall. They were creating it for the PS5, the takeover happened and MS just made the decision for them to cancel that product for the PS5. Why would Microsoft not do the same with Call of Duty? The loss they would take short term is insignificant in the long run when a bunch of casual gamers realize they will not be able to play COD on the PS5/PS6 anymore. My gut feeling says that we on this forum are downplaying the overall strength the COD franchise has over the casual audience, something that we are not part of.

A multinational company and one of the strongest competitors in the world in terms of cashflow are able to buy the biggest gaming publisher in the world for 70 billion. What stops them from taking over EA, Ubisoft and/or Capcom? Some of you here are not seeing the impact these type of acquisitions will have in the future. Regulators are opening the way for other big companies like Apple and Amazon to purchase more companies and when the regulators try to block it they can simply say; ''You did not do it against Microsoft, so why should you block us?'' - It is a precedent you do not want to create. No one will win here except for the giants.

 

[Warablo]

If those companies want to sell that's up to them. It's not like Microsoft or Amazon are going around doing hostile takeovers.

The reality is, game development is risky business.

 

[Chukhopops]

The one thing I do not understand is as to how these regulators are not looking at the history of Microsoft and breaking their promises.

The more recent example is Redfall. They were creating it for the PS5, the takeover happened and MS just made the decision for them to cancel that product for the PS5.

What promise did they make about Redfall (or any other upcoming Bethesda game) being on PS5?

 

[Three]

If those companies want to sell that's up to them. It's not like Microsoft or Amazon are going around doing hostile takeovers.

The reality is, game development is risky business.

ABK wasn't at any risk and sold because they were given a proposal with a high price.

 

[Dick Jones]

What promise did they make about Redfall (or any other upcoming Bethesda game) being on PS5?

Phil Spencer stated the Bethesda purchase was not looking to remove games from Playstation. We now know a PS5 version of Redfall was in development. The two statements don't reconcile.

 

[b6a6es]

Look guys, I made up this ridiculous scenario in my head and totally think it’s real!

True, it’s so ridiculous and nearly impossible to happen, its as if Activision was getting bought oh wait…

 

[mansoor1980]

i wonder how jimbo will react , bungie going ps console exclusive perhaps?

 

[Torrent of Pork]

i wonder how jimbo will react , bungie going ps console exclusive perhaps?

Anybody thinking Bungie's next 3rd person (fucking lol) game they have cooking is coming to Xbox is deluding themselves. IDGAF whatever PR bullshit Jimbo was spinning last year.

Frankly I'm kind of surprised Destiny hasn't been pulled.

 

[Dick Jones]

Anybody thinking Bungie's next 3rd person (fucking lol) game they have cooking is coming to Xbox is deluding themselves. IDGAF whatever PR bullshit Jimbo was spinning last year.

Frankly I'm kind of surprised Destiny hasn't been pulled.

Is this a joke? Sony gave regulators statements on their intentions with Bungie and this was made public. Sony wound gave severe difficulty with regulators if they don't keep their word. (Don't ask me about MS lies during the Bethesda acquisition). Bungie have a history with leaving when the plan doesn't suit. Multiplatform is their plan, not Sony. The only difference now than before Bungie was acquired is all new Bungie games will be on Playstation at the very least for PS players

 

[Forth]

I'm most likely in the minority but this news doesn't affect me at all.
I don't play COD anymore and it's definitely not making me sell my PS5 for a Xbox.

 

[b6a6es]

I'm actually in agreement with you. However Sony has no options left if Microsoft is basically allowed to buy the industry up to crush PlayStation.

Well, there is one option, but the Japanese government would never allow it. If Sony would begin to shop themselves around for acquisition, they could survive as a part of a much larger company. A company like Apple, which has previously tried and failed to break into gaming, would probably be very interested in acquiring Sony for instance. However, as I said, Japan's government would never allow such an acquisition, at least not now while Sony is still apparently healthy.

As an independent company, I rate Sony's likelihood of survival around 50/50. It is more likely that they will be slowly starved of content by Microsoft as other Western studios and publishers are acquired one by one, and only on the brink of bankruptcy will they be acquired for pennies on the dollar by someone like Apple. By then it will already be too late for the gaming industry, Microsoft will control it as thoroughly as they control computer operating systems with Windows today.

Sony Group can survive by themselves just fine, its just The Playstation Subsidiary SIE (which is American) That would be up for sale

 

[feynoob]

This 10 year deal doesn't need to be signed. MS have supplied information to regulators showing that it would be financially damaging to remove COD from Playstation so Sony should accept that MS will continue to release the games on PS like they do with Steam. Phil Spencer said COD would remain on PS like Minecraft.

In reality, it would speed up MS breaking their statements to regulators and put brakes on future attempts for expansion. The main issue with this purchase is that others such as Amazon and Tencent now have no restrictions to consolidating the gaming market. They can show regulators its competitors have 100% of the market and can spend over 100bn on acquisitons before questions can be raised. MS' non competition Sony was damaged to strengthen its declared competition. Great move

Sony would have to, if they want COD on PS+.

 

[Dick Jones]

Sony would have to, if they want COD on PS+.

Do they though? They could realise its less of a money loser to just have COD on sale in the PS Store.

 

[Ass of Can Whooping]

Sony Group can survive by themselves just fine, its just The Playstation Subsidiary SIE (which is American) That would be up for sale

Selling SIE would kill their valuation. That aint happening.

 

[Clintizzle]

I wish I made bingo cards for both outcomes of this aquisition.

Although, I wouldn't have even thought about adding things like - Apple buying Playstation, Sony buying TakeTwo and Sony saying "f the regulators" and making future Bungie games PS only.

 

[feynoob]

Do they though? They could realise its less of a money loser to just have COD on sale in the PS Store.

Since gamepass is going to have the game day1 on the service, it's Sony's best interest to put it on their service.

It's hard to compete with gamepass if they don't do it.

 

[Dick Jones]

Since gamepass is going to have the game day1 on the service, it's Sony's best interest to put it on their service.

It's hard to compete with gamepass if they don't do it.

Do we actually know if Sony would lose more money if that were the case?

 

[Ozriel]

EA would give them Battlefield and Apex that they can prop up against Call of Duty in the future. It'll also give them another route to big those big-name IP-licensed games like Star Wars.

However, EA is just way too expensive I believe.

Way too expensive, and would likely be stopped by regulators.

I'm actually in agreement with you. However Sony has no options left if Microsoft is basically allowed to buy the industry up to crush PlayStation.

Well, there is one option, but the Japanese government would never allow it. If Sony would begin to shop themselves around for acquisition, they could survive as a part of a much larger company. A company like Apple, which has previously tried and failed to break into gaming, would probably be very interested in acquiring Sony for instance. However, as I said, Japan's government would never allow such an acquisition, at least not now while Sony is still apparently healthy.

As an independent company, I rate Sony's likelihood of survival around 50/50. It is more likely that they will be slowly starved of content by Microsoft as other Western studios and publishers are acquired one by one, and only on the brink of bankruptcy will they be acquired for pennies on the dollar by someone like Apple. By then it will already be too late for the gaming industry, Microsoft will control it as thoroughly as they control computer operating systems with Windows today.

This is unnecessary and unfounded fearmongering. Sony will still end this generation as the clear leader in console marketshare and mindshare. and they’re still better placed to secure exclusivity for titles…as they’ve been doing for the past few years.

They’re in a stronger position that Microsoft even after this deal closes, and the talk of Microsoft ‘buying up the industry’ makes no sense since all their purchases in total only makes up a fraction of the industry.

 

[Alesimage]

Cma appears incompetent. Finally they are able to correct their shoddy numbers.

 

[Dick Jones]

Cma appears incompetent. Finally they are able to correct their shoddy numbers.

Thanks for your input alt account

 

[GHG]

I have to say some of the wet dreams coming from this are hilarious.

It runs deep for some people.

 

[feynoob]

Do we actually know if Sony would lose more money if that were the case?

They won't lose that much money, but they will be pressured to do something.

Right now gamepass is very weak. Add call of duty day1, and most devs will flock to the service because of that.

So leaving this chance on the table will hurt them very bad in the future.

 

[Ozriel]

Only for MS.

Once this deal is approved, Google Amazon and other big boys will go shopping around buying big publishers like EA, take 2 and Ubisoft.

Why in the world would you think they’d need this deal approved before making purchases if they needed to?

Ubisoft is relatively cheap. Google could buy them tomorrow if they wanted to. Anyone could place a bid for Take 2 today if they wanted. Regulators would step in, but access deals would be all that is required.