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[Papa_Wisdom]

Don’t tease us. As a former sega die hard ( I had 4 Japanese Saturn’s at one point) Who migrated to Xbox for panzer dragoon, gun valkery and outrun, I hope they get a lot closer. I feel like sega was always meant to become the Japanese arm of Xbox, thus giving sega a console brand presence again in Japan. But Xbox would have to acquire sega for that to happen.

And who knows maybe the extra cash could fund passion projects like a panzer dragoon saga remake, or a burning rangers reboot. sega might seem to have trouble porting old Saturn games, but I bet Xbox engineers could do a great Saturn and DC emulation platform for Xbox and PC if they were allowed to. Could you imagine all those classic sega games being readily available and emulated to Xbox standards on gamepass? That would be my personal gaming heaven.


And then they can sell limited edition sega themed Xbox’s in the west to tie in with certain sega releases. I’d buy the virtual-on or panzer dragoon special editions for sure.

Are you me?

 

[bbw_lover87]

Not defending this "old executive" because I know him on a personal level but he cares about gamers more than any other high level exec at any of these companies.

He laughed at the internal screening of the Craig version of Halo Infinite and said out loud in the meeting that they could not give that to gamers, they will tear us to shreds but Phil greenlit it

I just have countless stories of where him and Phil would butt heads over decision making because he cared about what we would be playing but most times he lost

Not saying he is a great leader because he too got the whole Series X is 20% more powerful and we will win every head to head battle but I think thats because Jason Ronald kept telling him and Phil that

I think he greenlited killer instinct too

 

[systemr123]

I already made my point in other thread explaining why Gamepass is superior, but I will tell you this. Imagine a Xbox fanboy saying that Xbox had the best games in the One/PS4 era only because he likes more Gears, Halo and the few games Xbox was releasing.

Gamepass superior is your opinion, and everyone can have their own opinion. It’s not a fact.

To be honest, that were some great games back in the time so there was some merit to it if you liked those Xbox games more than the Sony and Nintendo offering.

Unfortunately for MS their exclusives are rapidly dwindling in number and quality since the last decade and Nintendo and Sony are still as good as ever.

 

[Timberwolf25]

Gamepass superior is your opinion, and everyone can have their own opinion. It’s not a fact.

To be honest, that were some great games back in the time so there was some merit to it if you liked those Xbox games more than the Sony and Nintendo offering.

Unfortunately for MS their exclusives are rapidly dwindling in number and quality since the last decade and Nintendo and Sony are still as good as ever.

Talks about stating an opinion as a fact and then goes and states an opinion as a fact.

 

[RickMasters]

Are you me?

I guess great minds think alike?

 

[Kings Field]

Let's no forget that Bobby Kotick was listed in Epsteins black book.

 

[Heisenberg007]

These Heisenberg007 vs Heisenberg007 comments are confusing me
So are we now pivoting to tinfoil hat conspiracy theories on how Activision came to be open for getting acquired?

Very happy to see the deal done and dusted.

You tagged me twice, so I can totally believe your confusion

And not really tinfoil hat conspiracy theories. The MS executive being in ABK is true. You can double-check.

 

[Timberwolf25]

You tagged me twice, so I can totally believe your confusion

And not really tinfoil hat conspiracy theories. The MS executive being in ABK is true. You can double-check.

Ooops, about the double-tag

Oh I know he was there. The tinfoil hat conspiracy is that he was sent there to torpedo Activision or to prep the way for an acquisition.

Edit: By that logic, Phil Harrison was seny by Sony to both MS and Google to sink their products...oh wait! lol

 

[Heisenberg007]

Ooops, about the double-tag

Oh I know he was there. The conspiracy is that he was sent there to torpedo Activision or to prep the way for an acquisition.

This is an old tactic by Microsoft. Even in the most recent leaks, we saw how Microsoft planted an ex-BOD that was buying Nintendo shares to create an opportunity for Microsoft to buy Nintendo.

It's not really a conspiracy theory when there is precedence.

 

[Timberwolf25]

This is an old tactic by Microsoft. Even in the most recent leaks, we saw how Microsoft planted an ex-BOD that was buying Nintendo shares to create an opportunity for Microsoft to buy Nintendo.

It's not really a conspiracy theory when there is precedence.

How is that remotely the same thing as an Ex MS exec going to work for another company to torpedo them conspiracy.
Buying shares is a common practice by lots of companies. For example, Sony buying shares in Epic doesn't necessarily mean they are going to buy Epic anytime soon if ever.

 

[DenchDeckard]

This is actually a result of Microsoft planting an old executive in ABK that continued the company's downfall and the aforementioned shitty situation due to poor management, which led to Microsoft finding an opportunity.

And that executive is now back at Microsoft, as he was before.

 

[Heisenberg007]

How is that remotely the same thing as an Ex MS exec going to work for another company to torpedo them conspiracy.
Buying shares is a common practice by lots of companies. For example, Sony buying shares in Epic doesn't necessarily mean they are going to buy Epic anytime soon if ever.

Buying shares =/= Planting someone else to buy shares and gain influence so they can pave the way for your acquisition.

 

[Timberwolf25]

Buying shares =/= Planting someone else to buy shares and gain influence so they can pave the way for your acquisition.

lol, yea. That's called a conspiracy and not a proven fact.

 

[CatLady]

wonder how long before MS "helps" Embracer group with "relieving" them of Crystal Dynamics/Eidos

Hopefully Monday.

 

[Antwix]

Heck yeah. I was born on Friday the 13th.

hell yeah same here

 

[Heisenberg007]

lol, yea. That's called a conspiracy and not a proven fact.

Not conspiracy, when we have that in writing, straight from the horse's mouth. You can choose to close your eyes to it though

"I say until recently as our former MS BOD member ValueAct has been heavily acquiring shares of Nintendo and I've kept in touch with Mason Morfit as he's been acquiring. It's likely he will be pushing for more from Nintendo stock which could create opportunities for us. Without the catalyst, I don't see an angle to a near term mutually agreeable merger of Nintendo and MS." -- Phil Spencer.

 

[Timberwolf25]

Not conspiracy, when we have that in writing, straight from the horse's mouth. You can choose to close your eyes to it though

"I say until recently as our former MS BOD member ValueAct has been heavily acquiring shares of Nintendo and I've kept in touch with Mason Morfit as he's been acquiring. It's likely he will be pushing for more from Nintendo stock which could create opportunities for us. Without the catalyst, I don't see an angle to a near term mutually agreeable merger of Nintendo and MS." -- Phil Spencer.

You're being intentionally obtuse. What proof do you have that Mike Ybarra was sent to Activision to torpedo the company or prepare them for an acquisition?
I'm not talking about anyone buying shares into a company. Buying shares vs sending what is essentially an "insider" to saborage a company is not anywhere remotely the same thing.

Edit: That document doesn't even prove your initial point that MS intentionally even pushed for that or even had a hand in making that happen.

 

[Topher]

Not conspiracy, when we have that in writing, straight from the horse's mouth. You can choose to close your eyes to it though

"I say until recently as our former MS BOD member ValueAct has been heavily acquiring shares of Nintendo and I've kept in touch with Mason Morfit as he's been acquiring. It's likely he will be pushing for more from Nintendo stock which could create opportunities for us. Without the catalyst, I don't see an angle to a near term mutually agreeable merger of Nintendo and MS." -- Phil Spencer.

That ain't proof of "Microsoft planting an old executive in ABK" my man.

 

[Heisenberg007]

That ain't proof of "Microsoft planting an old executive in ABK" my man.

This reply was in response to him saying that "buying shares is a common practice," implying that Microsoft was buying Nintendo shares normally -- which isn't the case, as MS wasn't directly buying Nintendo shares.

 

[jm89]

Finally we can move on from this shit

 

[Topher]

This reply was in response to him saying that "buying shares is a common practice," implying that Microsoft was buying Nintendo shares normally -- which isn't the case, as MS wasn't directly buying Nintendo shares.

Where's the proof of the plant then?

 

[FoxMcChief]

Finally we can move on from this shit

Not everyone can.

 

[ManaByte]

Where's the proof of the plant then?

Planting Ybarra in 2019 as a sleeper agent to take out Brack, take over Blizzard, run it into the ground, and make up allegations against Kotick is some serious 5D chess by Spencer.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

Planting Ybarra in 2019 as a sleeper agent to take out Brack, take over Blizzard, run it into the ground, and make up allegations against Kotick is some serious 5D chess by Spencer.

didn't they do something similar with Nokia?

 

[Topher]

Not everyone can.

Indeed...

I don’t want this day to end.

 

[ManaByte]

didn't they do something similar with Nokia?

People weren't even really around for that and invent all kinds of crazy conspiracies about it. The reality is that Windows Phone never took off due to their store and because developers weren't releasing Windows Phone versions of major apps. Big ones like Snapchat and Gmail were never made on the OS. That's what happened to Windows Phone/Nokia. Not some nutbar conspiracy of MS intentionally torpedoing it.

20 Most Popular Apps Missing From Windows Phone Store

Windows Phone Store has an ever-increasing number of apps and games but there are still many apps missing from Windows Phone Store.

www.coderewind.com

4 steps for Microsoft to fix Windows Phone's app problems

Windows Phone is still lacking apps. Here's what Microsoft can do to change that.

www.cnet.com

 

[Timberwolf25]

This reply was in response to him saying that "buying shares is a common practice," implying that Microsoft was buying Nintendo shares normally -- which isn't the case, as MS wasn't directly buying Nintendo shares.

That isn't what I said at all. I said companines buying shares into other companies isn't an uncommon practice at all. And that document still doesn't even say that they were doing that either.
You're reading what you want into it.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

People weren't even really around for that and invent all kinds of crazy conspiracies about it. The reality is that Windows Phone never took off due to their store and because developers weren't releasing Windows Phone versions of major apps. Big ones like Snapchat and Gmail were never made on the OS. That's what happened to Windows Phone/Nokia. Not some nutbar conspiracy of MS intentionally torpedoing it.

20 Most Popular Apps Missing From Windows Phone Store

Windows Phone Store has an ever-increasing number of apps and games but there are still many apps missing from Windows Phone Store.

www.coderewind.com

4 steps for Microsoft to fix Windows Phone's app problems

Windows Phone is still lacking apps. Here's what Microsoft can do to change that.

www.cnet.com

i was talking about some MS executive jumping to Nokia...then the MS acquisition happened.

I think is a noting burger but is funny

Stephen Elop: I wasn’t a Trojan horse for Microsoft at Nokia

Former Nokia chief executive denies conspiracy claims and hints at Nokia Android phone survival. By Samuel Gibbs

www.theguardian.com

 

[Heisenberg007]

Where's the proof of the plant then?

For Activision? Seriously, will we ever get proof of such a thing? That's not the world we live in. We'll never get proof of that, but it is common sense, especially when there's precedence.

This is Microsoft 101. It is their long-time strategy. They did this before as well. Now they did it again.

Do you not know what happened with Nokia and Stephen Elop?

Here is a quick rundown:

• Balmer and Gates met Elop multiple times and poached him.
• Elop worked at Microsoft in key positions.
• In August 2009, under his presidency, Elop's department partnered with Nokia to bring Microsoft Office Mobile to Symbian OS.
• In September 2010, Elop left Microsoft to join Nokia as CEO.
• Just ~5 months later, Elop announced a new strategy for Nokia that was mainly about phasing out Symbian OS and shifting to Microsoft's Windows Phone.
• In 2011, Elop laid off 11,000 Nokia employees.
• In 2012, Elop laid off a further 10,000 Nokia employees.
• Nokia's stock price dropped 62%. Their market share fell from 33% to 3%.
• Just a year later, in June 2013, it was reported that Nokia and Microsoft were in the final stages of the acquisition.
• In September 2013, Microsoft announced Nokia's acquisition.

I never said that I have proof of Yabarra acting as a mole. You shared your opinion; I shared mine.

We can choose to live in a fool's paradise, but it is really laid bare in front of us. It is similar to how people were saying for years that Game Pass cannibalizes game sales, and others were saying, "do you have proof? No? Then no, Game Pass does not cannibalize game sales."

We rarely get proof of such things. But we have common sense and logic that we can use to connect the dots -- especially when the exact same things have happened before.

ChorizoPicozo - exactly. Didn't see your reply, but I just posted this.

 

[Pallas]

I’m just glad this ride finally came to an end. Will be interesting to see how many games by Activision will hit Gamepass eventually.

The CoD vault in particular still has decade old games still being regularly played. Gamepass subscription(PC and console side)should see a sharp increase I imagine if those games hit the service?

 

[Topher]

For Activision? Seriously, will we ever get proof of such a thing? That's not the world we live in. We'll never get proof of that, but it is common sense, especially when there's precedence.

This is Microsoft 101. It is their long-time strategy. They did this before as well. Now they did it again.

Do you not know what happened with Nokia and Stephen Elop?

Here is a quick rundown:

• Balmer and Gates met Elop multiple times and poached him.
• Elop worked at Microsoft in key positions.
• In August 2009, under his presidency, Elop's department partnered with Nokia to bring Microsoft Office Mobile to Symbian OS.
• In September 2010, Elop left Microsoft to join Nokia as CEO.
• Just ~5 months later, Elop announced a new strategy for Nokia that was mainly about phasing out Symbian OS and shifting to Microsoft's Windows Phone.
• In 2011, Elop laid off 11,000 Nokia employees.
• In 2012, Elop laid off a further 10,000 Nokia employees.
• Nokia's stock price dropped 62%. Their market share fell from 33% to 3%.
• Just a year later, in June 2013, it was reported that Nokia and Microsoft were in the final stages of the acquisition.
• In September 2013, Microsoft announced Nokia's acquisition.

I never said that I have proof of Yabarra acting as a mole. You shared your opinion; I shared mine.

We can choose to live in a fool's paradise, but it is really laid bare in front of us. It is similar to how people were saying for years that Game Pass cannibalizes game sales, and others were saying, "do you have proof? No? Then no, Game Pass does not cannibalize game sales."

We rarely get proof of such things. But we have common sense and logic that we can use to connect the dots -- especially when the exact same things have happened before.

ChorizoPicozo - exactly. Didn't see your reply, but I just posted this.

I know you never said you had proof. I was just asking. That's a fine theory. I don't buy it at all (as far as Ybarra anyway), but still a fine theory.

 

[ReBurn]

Because they aren't on the service indefinitely. Pretty important detail...

 

[FoxMcChief]

I know you never said you had proof. I was just asking. That's a fine theory. I don't buy it at all (as far as Ybarra anyway), but still a fine theory.

Theories are just as good as facts bro.

 

[Fredrik]

And not really tinfoil hat conspiracy theories. The MS executive being in ABK is true. You can double-check.

I don’t buy the idea that it’s somehow planned but it’s certainly a bit comical, seems like there is some positive energy at least among some of the higher ups. Rod Fergusson joked on X about his own returnal too, a third time is the charm post and wondered if he could have his old MS employee card back where he was thinner lol
There was some other guy who had been at both companies and left both and now he’s back at both like a boomerang heh

 

[thismeinteil]

And with their current management, they will still struggle to get a foothold in the industry and their current studios will continue to pump out mediocre games. It's all about quantity, not quality.

 

[adamsapple]

For Activision? Seriously, will we ever get proof of such a thing? That's not the world we live in. We'll never get proof of that, but it is common sense, especially when there's precedence.

This is Microsoft 101. It is their long-time strategy. They did this before as well. Now they did it again.

Do you not know what happened with Nokia and Stephen Elop?

Here is a quick rundown:

• Balmer and Gates met Elop multiple times and poached him.
• Elop worked at Microsoft in key positions.
• In August 2009, under his presidency, Elop's department partnered with Nokia to bring Microsoft Office Mobile to Symbian OS.
• In September 2010, Elop left Microsoft to join Nokia as CEO.
• Just ~5 months later, Elop announced a new strategy for Nokia that was mainly about phasing out Symbian OS and shifting to Microsoft's Windows Phone.
• In 2011, Elop laid off 11,000 Nokia employees.
• In 2012, Elop laid off a further 10,000 Nokia employees.
• Nokia's stock price dropped 62%. Their market share fell from 33% to 3%.
• Just a year later, in June 2013, it was reported that Nokia and Microsoft were in the final stages of the acquisition.
• In September 2013, Microsoft announced Nokia's acquisition.

I never said that I have proof of Yabarra acting as a mole. You shared your opinion; I shared mine.

We can choose to live in a fool's paradise, but it is really laid bare in front of us. It is similar to how people were saying for years that Game Pass cannibalizes game sales, and others were saying, "do you have proof? No? Then no, Game Pass does not cannibalize game sales."

We rarely get proof of such things. But we have common sense and logic that we can use to connect the dots -- especially when the exact same things have happened before.

ChorizoPicozo - exactly. Didn't see your reply, but I just posted this.

Please share your fanfiction.net handle with us too

 

[wolffy66]

Your crazy is showing.

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

That ain't proof of "Microsoft planting an old executive in ABK" my man.

I will throw this out there and I have zero point I am trying make before people call me crazy so let me get that disclaimer out of the way

That said Mike told me a few times he wanted Phil to make COD some sort of exclusive for this current gen and told Phil no matter the cost even if its just 6 months that it needed to happen.

They could not make that happen and next thing we know Mike is at ABK and this deal happens.

Now I know how much Mike made salary wise at Xbox and what his raise was to go to ABK so the money alone was worth the move and I am not implying he did it to facilitate the buyout

Just the timing could have been better

 

[Kilau]

For Activision? Seriously, will we ever get proof of such a thing? That's not the world we live in. We'll never get proof of that, but it is common sense, especially when there's precedence.

This is Microsoft 101. It is their long-time strategy. They did this before as well. Now they did it again.

Do you not know what happened with Nokia and Stephen Elop?

Here is a quick rundown:

• Balmer and Gates met Elop multiple times and poached him.
• Elop worked at Microsoft in key positions.
• In August 2009, under his presidency, Elop's department partnered with Nokia to bring Microsoft Office Mobile to Symbian OS.
• In September 2010, Elop left Microsoft to join Nokia as CEO.
• Just ~5 months later, Elop announced a new strategy for Nokia that was mainly about phasing out Symbian OS and shifting to Microsoft's Windows Phone.
• In 2011, Elop laid off 11,000 Nokia employees.
• In 2012, Elop laid off a further 10,000 Nokia employees.
• Nokia's stock price dropped 62%. Their market share fell from 33% to 3%.
• Just a year later, in June 2013, it was reported that Nokia and Microsoft were in the final stages of the acquisition.
• In September 2013, Microsoft announced Nokia's acquisition.

I never said that I have proof of Yabarra acting as a mole. You shared your opinion; I shared mine.

We can choose to live in a fool's paradise, but it is really laid bare in front of us. It is similar to how people were saying for years that Game Pass cannibalizes game sales, and others were saying, "do you have proof? No? Then no, Game Pass does not cannibalize game sales."

We rarely get proof of such things. But we have common sense and logic that we can use to connect the dots -- especially when the exact same things have happened before.

ChorizoPicozo - exactly. Didn't see your reply, but I just posted this.

 

[johnjohn]

Now I'm picturing this acquisition being some Ocean's Eleven style heist with Phil, Rod, and Mike meeting up in the end and exchanging smirks lol.

 

[MarkMe2525]

Because our regulators don’t care about free markets and the biggest companies have the most money/lawyers/lobbyists to ensure that is the case and the system continues to be rigged in their favor

??? A tenant of the "free market" is allowing companies to compete in an unrestricted environment. Our regulators blocking an acquisition would literally be the antithesis of the free market.

Your assertion contradicts itself.

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

??? A tenant of the "free market" is allowing companies to compete in an unrestricted environment. Our regulators blocking an acquisition would literally be the antithesis of the free market.

Your assertion contradicts itself.

Free markets don't exist without competition. Allowing monopolies to form is the antithesis of free markets.

 

[adamsapple]

Now I'm picturing this acquisition being some Ocean's Eleven style heist with Phil, Rod, and Mike meeting up in the end and exchanging smirks lol.

All according to keikaku

 

[MarkMe2525]

Free markets don't exist without competition. Allowing monopolies to form is the antithesis of free markets.

Yeah, Sony and Nintendo don't stand a chance now. Give me a break.

Also, monopolies are a side effect of a "free market", not the antithesis. This is why "free markets" don't exist in our economy. Maybe you mean another term.

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

Yeah, Sony and Nintendo don't stand a chance now. Give me a break.

Also, monopolies are a side effect of a "free market", not the antithesis. This is why "free markets" don't exist in our economy. Maybe you mean another term.

Your arguments have been demolished by centuries of experience with "free markets" leading to collusion/monopolies and the establishment of regulators such as the SEC.

Do you think they should be abolished?

 

[ShadyAcshuns]

Gamepass superior is your opinion, and everyone can have their own opinion. It’s not a fact.

To be honest, that were some great games back in the time so there was some merit to it if you liked those Xbox games more than the Sony and Nintendo offering.

Unfortunately for MS their exclusives are rapidly dwindling in number and quality since the last decade and Nintendo and Sony are still as good as ever.

Day one games vs not having day one games is pretty much indisputable tho.

 

[MarkMe2525]

Your arguments have been demolished by centuries of experience with "free markets" leading to collusion/monopolies and the establishment of regulators such as the SEC.

Do you think they should be abolished?

Dude, you are just wrong. Accept the L or reword your assertion. The SEC is an example of how are economy is no longer a free market, but a hybrid. The SEC was formed due to the inevitable outcomes of an unregulated economy (which is a free market).

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

Dude, you are just wrong. Accept the L or reword your assertion. The SEC is an example of how are economy is no longer a free market, but a hybrid. The SEC was formed due to the inevitable outcomes of an unregulated economy (which is a free market).

I do not agree with "free markets" that allow companies to grow so big that they swallow up entire swaths of industries, employ political power to allow sand maintain such control, while leading to long term decay in the quality of such services those industries supply.

It leads to crony capitalism which does not benefit consumers or lead to better economic outcomes. That's why the regulators should serve a purpose to allow competition.

 

[adamsapple]

 

[MarkMe2525]

I do not agree with "free markets" that allow companies to grow so big that they swallow up entire swaths of industries, employ political power to allow sand maintain such control, while leading to long term decay in the quality of such services those industries supply.

It leads to crony capitalism which does not benefit consumers or lead to better economic outcomes. That's why the regulators should serve a purpose to allow competition.

I agree with your opinion that regulation is needed. In saying that, there is only one definition of a free market, and regulation has no place in that definition. If you mean something else, that is fine.

My pushback boils down to semantics, but when discussing these things, it kind of matters to get the terminology correct so that your opinion makes sense.