• Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.

Microsoft / Activision Deal Approval Watch |OT| (MS/ABK close)

Do you believe the deal will be approved?


  • Total voters
    886
  • Poll closed .
Status
Not open for further replies.

Kilau

Member
Oh, where do I even begin with this infuriating news?! Microsoft buying Activision? Are you kidding me?! As a die-hard PlayStation fanboy, my blood is boiling, and I'm about to unleash my wrath upon this catastrophic decision. It feels like a betrayal, a dagger straight through the heart. How can they snatch away one of the industry's biggest powerhouses like Activision and place it within the clutches of Microsoft? This move reeks of monopolistic intentions and monopoly has never benefitted consumers. Now, the once diverse gaming landscape seems to be converging into a bleak, Xbox-dominated dystopia. Kiss goodbye to the days of enjoying iconic franchises like Call of Duty, Crash Bandicoot, and Diablo on our beloved PlayStation consoles. When Microsoft swoops in to take control, we can expect exclusivity deals that leave us PlayStation fanatics stranded without the games we hold dear. The PlayStation community has built its brand loyalty on captivating exclusives and an undeniable sense of camaraderie. But this acquisition threatens to shatter that unity, leaving us feeling abandoned. We need competition and variety to drive innovation and push game developers to reach new heights. But with Microsoft holding Activision's reins, the era of healthy competition may be a thing of the past. It's hard not to feel like a pawn in this corporate chess match, where the only winners seem to be the ones hoarding the power. Microsoft's bold move to snatch up Activision is a devastating blow for PlayStation fanboys like myself, and it's a dark day for the gaming industry as a whole. We must stand united, voice our displeasure, and fight for the future we deserve a future that champions inclusivity, competition, and the freedom to game on our platform of choice.
 
Oh, where do I even begin with this infuriating news?! Microsoft buying Activision? Are you kidding me?! As a die-hard PlayStation fanboy, my blood is boiling, and I'm about to unleash my wrath upon this catastrophic decision. It feels like a betrayal, a dagger straight through the heart. How can they snatch away one of the industry's biggest powerhouses like Activision and place it within the clutches of Microsoft? This move reeks of monopolistic intentions and monopoly has never benefitted consumers. Now, the once diverse gaming landscape seems to be converging into a bleak, Xbox-dominated dystopia. Kiss goodbye to the days of enjoying iconic franchises like Call of Duty, Crash Bandicoot, and Diablo on our beloved PlayStation consoles. When Microsoft swoops in to take control, we can expect exclusivity deals that leave us PlayStation fanatics stranded without the games we hold dear. The PlayStation community has built its brand loyalty on captivating exclusives and an undeniable sense of camaraderie. But this acquisition threatens to shatter that unity, leaving us feeling abandoned. We need competition and variety to drive innovation and push game developers to reach new heights. But with Microsoft holding Activision's reins, the era of healthy competition may be a thing of the past. It's hard not to feel like a pawn in this corporate chess match, where the only winners seem to be the ones hoarding the power. Microsoft's bold move to snatch up Activision is a devastating blow for PlayStation fanboys like myself, and it's a dark day for the gaming industry as a whole. We must stand united, voice our displeasure, and fight for the future we deserve a future that champions inclusivity, competition, and the freedom to game on our platform of choice.
Or you could just buy an Xbox…
 

Kilau

Member
Or you could just buy an Xbox…

Harry Potter No GIF
 

Roxkis_ii

Member
Oh, where do I even begin with this infuriating news?! Microsoft buying Activision? Are you kidding me?! As a die-hard PlayStation fanboy, my blood is boiling, and I'm about to unleash my wrath upon this catastrophic decision. It feels like a betrayal, a dagger straight through the heart. How can they snatch away one of the industry's biggest powerhouses like Activision and place it within the clutches of Microsoft? This move reeks of monopolistic intentions and monopoly has never benefitted consumers. Now, the once diverse gaming landscape seems to be converging into a bleak, Xbox-dominated dystopia. Kiss goodbye to the days of enjoying iconic franchises like Call of Duty, Crash Bandicoot, and Diablo on our beloved PlayStation consoles. When Microsoft swoops in to take control, we can expect exclusivity deals that leave us PlayStation fanatics stranded without the games we hold dear. The PlayStation community has built its brand loyalty on captivating exclusives and an undeniable sense of camaraderie. But this acquisition threatens to shatter that unity, leaving us feeling abandoned. We need competition and variety to drive innovation and push game developers to reach new heights. But with Microsoft holding Activision's reins, the era of healthy competition may be a thing of the past. It's hard not to feel like a pawn in this corporate chess match, where the only winners seem to be the ones hoarding the power. Microsoft's bold move to snatch up Activision is a devastating blow for PlayStation fanboys like myself, and it's a dark day for the gaming industry as a whole. We must stand united, voice our displeasure, and fight for the future we deserve a future that champions inclusivity, competition, and the freedom to game on our platform of choice.
I wanna laugh at this post, but apart of me is scared that your not joking. 😑
 

Clear

CliffyB's Cock Holster
If I m not mistaken. They kinda lost everything but call of duty for the next 10 years. And even that they lost the marketing rights as well by 2024.

How many games do Activision release every year on console? Not many, they were after all the original publisher to cut-back on all their minor franchises in favour of just blockbusters. The impact in terms of volume of releases is going to be minimal.

So losing "everything but" was never much of a threat.

I'd also add that what they do release tends to be in genres where Xbox is already well and truly covered, so I'm not sure how many new users will be drawn into their ecosystem that previously weren't. Also, when one platform has a near monopoly on FPS, what impact is that going to have on how each franchise is going to be perceived value-wise? If every shooter is on GamePass, will people really switch between them more, or will they simply stick with the "flavour" they like because there's no particular impetus to do anything else?

I mean objectively if someone gave you CoD, and Halo, and Quake/Doom, and Wolfenstein, and Overwatch, etc. All at the same time, would you try them all or just go with the one you would've bought at that time of the year anyway?
 

Fabieter

Member
I just hope ms shows that they can actually manage studios instead of announcing yet another buyout by next year. Who am I fooling tho.
 

graywolf323

Member
I just hope ms shows that they can actually manage studios instead of announcing yet another buyout by next year. Who am I fooling tho.
Inspire Andy Samberg GIF


sadly not likely with the current management’s track record

Look at Blizzard's current state. They can only go up from there and I am pretty sure that MS can help them outta their rut.
ehhhhhhhhhhhhhh, again not with the current management's track record
 

midnightAI

Member
In a way I'm really happy with this news, it will be VERY interesting to see what Sony does to counter it.

But at the same time, buying publishers (or even developers although that's less of an issue) with IP's well established on multiple/rival platforms is anti consumer no matter how they want to twist it (I actually think that without PlayStation, Call of Duty would not be the powerhouse it is today).

(When I talk about developers I'm talking about, imagine if Sony purchased Asobo Studio and they then made PlayStation Flight Simulator)

Edit: and just to be clear I feel the same if any of the three major console manufacturers do this (or any new player such as Amazon, Apple etc.), this isn't Microsoft exclusive.
 
Last edited:

MikeM

Member
Wonder how long before MS announces layoffs at ABK.

It would he cool that, once announcing the closure of the deal, the same announcement has a list of games coming to GP immediately.
 

Fabieter

Member
Look at Blizzard's current state. They can only go up from there and I am pretty sure that MS can help them outta their rut.

So much talent left blizzard that I don't know if that's true, well look at the studios they already have. Xbox grew so much in five years with a bad track record of managing studios that not everything will work out. Avb is a big get but they should just sort their shit out before talking about other aquisitions. But knowing phil and like he talks about Nintendo, Sega, sqaure enix, capcom etc this won't stop and will hurt our bottom line in the end.
 

Dick Jones

Gold Member
The one who can't play the catalogue with chewing gums

who-is-gigachad.jpg
Is English a fifth language for you? Better off writing in your native tongue and I'll skim it through Google Translate. Here's hoping it will be more coherent that whatever you wrote. 🤞
 

DryvBy

Member
Congratulations, Xbox fans. Now you'll be getting early access unfinished Activision games under Phil too. I'm sure in a few years, when they're still sinking in last place, it'll be Sony's fault and they'll need to buy another company to water down.

Which company? Any predictions? Ubisoft seems legit so they can get those cloud games back.
 

graywolf323

Member
Congratulations, Xbox fans. Now you'll be getting early access unfinished Activision games under Phil too. I'm sure in a few years, when they're still sinking in last place, it'll be Sony's fault and they'll need to buy another company to water down.

Which company? Any predictions? Ubisoft seems legit so they can get those cloud games back.
the Xbox fanboys over on ResetEra are already salivating over who Microsoft can buy next 🙄
 

ReBurn

Gold Member
the Xbox fanboys over on ResetEra are already salivating over who Microsoft can buy next 🙄
I don't know. I read through the last 6 or 7 pages of their acquisition thread and there were less than 10 comments about buying Sega next and someone said that they'll try to buy Nintendo again. But generally it's celebration that Microsoft succeeded, lamentation that the thread is ending, thanking Idas, a bit of sucking up from and to Tom Warren, and begging for games to hit game pass. Doesn't seem fixated on the next acquisition at the moment.
 

Ozriel

M$FT
Thats like generations ago. Gamepass will only get some low budget GP fillers in the future.

Moving goalposts doesn’t help at all.

Congratulations, Xbox fans. Now you'll be getting early access unfinished Activision games under Phil too. I'm sure in a few years, when they're still sinking in last place, it'll be Sony's fault and they'll need to buy another company to water down.

They are unlikely to be last place for revenue and profit. Sorry to hurt you, but it must be said.

they’ll be getting Day 1 releases into GamePass. I’m not sure ‘early access unfinished’ describes Activision’s Call of Duty games. If you mean GaaS, I have bad news for you.

So much talent left blizzard that I don't know if that's true, well look at the studios they already have.

Still enough talent to make Diablo 4 as a critical and commercial success, keep WoW going and have an AAA new IP in the works.

In a way I'm really happy with this news, it will be VERY interesting to see what Sony does to counter it.

If you believe Jim Ryan, it’s already been ‘countered’ by the Bungie deal which he claims is a much better use of money.

But at the same time, buying publishers (or even developers although that's less of an issue) with IP's well established on multiple/rival platforms is anti consumer no matter how they want to twist it (I actually think that without PlayStation, Call of Duty would not be the powerhouse it is today).

but COD was already a powerhouse when the Xbox 360 was the go to console for FPS games.
 

LordCBH

Member
Least it’s fucking over. I believe letting this go through is a mistake, but at least I’ll get more Gamepass games I guess.
 

intbal

Member
Ok, Microsoft, we've waited long enough.
You own Activision. That includes all the other companies that Activision acquired over the years, like Vivendi, Sierra, Black Label, etc.
There is a mountain of games that all those companies published on prior Xbox consoles that currently are NOT part of the backwards compatibility program.
You have no more excuses.
My library is waiting.
 

midnightAI

Member
If you believe Jim Ryan, it’s already been ‘countered’ by the Bungie deal which he claims is a much better use of money.

but COD was already a powerhouse when the Xbox 360 was the go to console for FPS games.
$3bn vs $69bn, I'd argue it is a better use of money for Sony, but by counter I'm hoping/guessing that Sony will counter it with games

40% of COD players are on PlayStation, they haven't bought COD during the 360 era, they have bought it now, when way more people play on PlayStation than on Xbox, as I mentioned. 'today'
 
Last edited:

Majukun

Member
without PlayStation, Call of Duty would not be the powerhouse it is today).
sorry but no...cod went big when xbox360 was the biggest console in town, the series actually got bigger first on PC and if we wanna go all alternative history, without xbox and halo, fps would have probably remain mainly a PC genre.

sure, COD sells better on playstation, but because they have always more or less sold equal if not better of their rivals...
 

gothmog

Gold Member
It kinda limped over the finish line. I'm actually kinda excited to see what kind of muck raking Bobby does now that he's part of the team. The guy knows how to survive.
 

soulbait

Member
Oh, where do I even begin with this infuriating news?! Microsoft buying Activision? Are you kidding me?! As a die-hard PlayStation fanboy, my blood is boiling, and I'm about to unleash my wrath upon this catastrophic decision. It feels like a betrayal, a dagger straight through the heart. How can they snatch away one of the industry's biggest powerhouses like Activision and place it within the clutches of Microsoft? This move reeks of monopolistic intentions and monopoly has never benefitted consumers. Now, the once diverse gaming landscape seems to be converging into a bleak, Xbox-dominated dystopia. Kiss goodbye to the days of enjoying iconic franchises like Call of Duty, Crash Bandicoot, and Diablo on our beloved PlayStation consoles. When Microsoft swoops in to take control, we can expect exclusivity deals that leave us PlayStation fanatics stranded without the games we hold dear. The PlayStation community has built its brand loyalty on captivating exclusives and an undeniable sense of camaraderie. But this acquisition threatens to shatter that unity, leaving us feeling abandoned. We need competition and variety to drive innovation and push game developers to reach new heights. But with Microsoft holding Activision's reins, the era of healthy competition may be a thing of the past. It's hard not to feel like a pawn in this corporate chess match, where the only winners seem to be the ones hoarding the power. Microsoft's bold move to snatch up Activision is a devastating blow for PlayStation fanboys like myself, and it's a dark day for the gaming industry as a whole. We must stand united, voice our displeasure, and fight for the future we deserve a future that champions inclusivity, competition, and the freedom to game on our platform of choice.

Go outside and touch some grass..... before Microsoft buys that too.
 

Topher

Gold Member
sorry but no...cod went big when xbox360 was the biggest console in town, the series actually got bigger first on PC and if we wanna go all alternative history, without xbox and halo, fps would have probably remain mainly a PC genre.

That reminds me of when my coworker back then bought an Xbox and he brought me over to his house to see it. I was a PC gamer back then just like today. Anyways, he showed me this "Halo" game that was FPS. I picked up that massive duke controller and said "how the hell are you going to play a FPS with this thing?" He said....."folks seem to have figured that out".

Seems so...lol
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom