Microsoft Tries to Buy Activision Blizzard

[nonny]

The difference is the EU accepted the terms MS set out for offering titles to competing platforms and the CMA hasn't.

What is probably frustrating for MS is how the CMA can say with any authority what the cloud gaming market will look like in a decade... they probably don't even realise how old the cloud gaming market is, or how it's failed to take off in the last decade.

If every other territory approves this I can see MS spinning off its cloud gaming stuff in the UK and setting up a subsidiary that offers the Activision stuff.

That's if Rishi Sunak doesn't quietly have a word and convince them to reverse their standing.

[Cassius_Smoke]

The difference is the EU accepted the terms MS set out for offering titles to competing platforms and the CMA hasn't.

What is probably frustrating for MS is how the CMA can say with any authority what the cloud gaming market will look like in a decade... they probably don't even realise how old the cloud gaming market is, or how it's failed to take off in the last decade.

If every other territory approves this I can see MS spinning off its cloud gaming stuff in the UK and setting up a subsidiary that offers the Activision stuff.

That's if Rishi Sunak doesn't quietly have a word and convince them to reverse their standing.

If MS kick a duffle bag of money under the cabinet meeting room table, he'll do anything.

I don't think it's going to be the end of the world once all this goes through. MS will probably offer some concession that makes the CMA happy. I still actual think the CMA are the only ones looking further into the future than 'tomorrow'. And for that I have to give them credit.
I have little faith in Xbox not running it into the ground once they own them though.


In 10 years...

'Hey, remember COD? Well Xbox Cloud are bringing it back!'

[nonny]

It's kinda ridiculous it's coming down to cloud gaming... I dunno, I kinda over it all.

I don't care if the UK blocks it or doesnt as I'm not planning to be here next year anyway. I just find their arguments completely baseless.

And yes, Sunak probably can't afford to have MS pull out any business from the UK all the news that the government would "steer" the CMA recently is kinda telling.

[Neon Ignition]

24hrs after the EU clears the buyout and the CMA finds itself having to defend its decision against angry MP's.

UK MPs grill regulator over Microsoft Activision Blizzard deal block, day after EU grants approval | Eurogamer.net

[fishbowlhead]

Oh the mp’s got their suitcase’s delivered from ms just fine then, good, good.

[nonny]

When MS said they'd pack their suitcases that wasn't what they meant...

[Cassius_Smoke]

Doesn't it worry anyone that a Trillion dollar company can just threaten governments that they'll withdraw all business from that country unless they get they way? And that we listen?

What's next?

[Neon Ignition]

The joys of big tech, we need them more than they need us at this point

[Lebowski]

The joys of big tech, we need them more than they need us at this point

https://www.gamingbible.com/news/activision-microsoft-acquisition-blocked-by-uk-regulator-355756-20230426

CNBC asked Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella if he’d considered withholding products from the UK if the deal was approved in other territories. He said, “Let’s wait for it all to play out.” To state the obvious, that’s not a yes, but it’s not a no either

this line is quite interesting, Microsoft could potentially go ahead with this deal and simply remove the contested franchise's from the UK, i can see the UK headliness now

Cod shortage hits UK

The scales have tipped against the UK as Microsoft mullets over removing future Call of Duty release from UK, Great Briton is now the only Country that cod'nt come to agreement with Microsoft over its proposed aqua-sition of Activision

[nonny]

In fairness I think MS have got a good case here. The angle the CMA have chosen to block on is tenuous at best and out of 28 territories they're the only one currently to block the deal.

It's no wonder the government is now questioning the decision when the UK needs growth and investment right now... It just makes sense that Microsoft would apply that same pressure.

I doubt there is any scenario where they would pull out all business, because they are just so diversified.

What will probably happen is they'll spin off the whole cloud service piece to a separately managed company just for the UK.

When is the FTC going to give their decision? I'm assuming no-one is going to make any sweeping decisions at MS until the US gives us own answer... if it ends up the UK is the only blocker then I feel the CMA will withdraw to the same concessions as the EU.

[wakka]

This is Brexit in action folks. This is what that brave 51% voted for. The independent sovereign ability to stop CoD being on Game Pass.

[Neon Ignition]

I have a sneaking suspicion that regardless of what the US decides the CMA will hold their ground if for no reason other than to save face.

https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=892e172dc9b3b83cJmltdHM9MTY4NDI4MTYwMCZpZ3VpZD0wOWM0OGM4OS1jYzc0LTZmNjktMDZmMi05Y2Q5Yzg3NDZiY2UmaW5zaWQ9NTIxOQ&ptn=3&hsh=3&fclid=09c48c89-cc74-6f69-06f2-9cd9c8746bce&psq=what+will+microsoft+do+if+the+CMA+are+the+only+objector&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucHVyZXhib3guY29tL25ld3MvMjAyMy8wNS91ay1jbWEtcGxhY2VzLWZ1cnRoZXItcmVzdHJpY3Rpb25zLW9uLW1pY3Jvc29mdC1hbmQtYWN0aXZpc2lvbi1ibGl6emFyZA&ntb=1

The CMA have only just moved to try and impose a ruling on the merger to basically block it internationally, if they are the only objector, by making it so that MS and Activision would need the CMA's written consent to proceed outside of the UK

Honestly, I feel that one is a massive over reach and the CMA would find itself in a hell of a court case over trying to enforce that when it has zero say over what goes on in other countries.

[Lebowski]

I have a sneaking suspicion that regardless of what the US decides the CMA will hold their ground if for no reason other than to save face.

https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=892e172dc9b3b83cJmltdHM9MTY4NDI4MTYwMCZpZ3VpZD0wOWM0OGM4OS1jYzc0LTZmNjktMDZmMi05Y2Q5Yzg3NDZiY2UmaW5zaWQ9NTIxOQ&ptn=3&hsh=3&fclid=09c48c89-cc74-6f69-06f2-9cd9c8746bce&psq=what+will+microsoft+do+if+the+CMA+are+the+only+objector&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucHVyZXhib3guY29tL25ld3MvMjAyMy8wNS91ay1jbWEtcGxhY2VzLWZ1cnRoZXItcmVzdHJpY3Rpb25zLW9uLW1pY3Jvc29mdC1hbmQtYWN0aXZpc2lvbi1ibGl6emFyZA&ntb=1

The CMA have only just moved to try and impose a ruling on the merger to basically block it internationally, if they are the only objector, by making it so that MS and Activision would need the CMA's written consent to proceed outside of the UK

Honestly, I feel that one is a massive over reach and the CMA would find itself in a hell of a court case over trying to enforce that when it has zero say over what goes on in other countries.

Was trying to get my head around if Microsoft could legaly proceed so turned to the Internets greatest free tool Chat GPT to try and get my head around where Microsoft stands

If the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) were to block a global merger, it would typically mean that the merger cannot proceed in the UK market due to competition concerns identified by the CMA. However, the merger could still potentially go ahead in other jurisdictions where it meets the regulatory requirements.

The specific impact on the company's operations in the UK would depend on the details of the merger and the company's strategic decisions. The company could choose to proceed with the merger globally while excluding or modifying its operations in the UK to comply with the CMA's decision.

Alternatively, the company could decide to withdraw from the UK market altogether if the merger was seen as critical to its global strategy and the UK market was not deemed essential. This decision would depend on various factors, including the importance of the UK market to the company's overall business, the potential impact of the CMA's decision on its operations, and the company's evaluation of alternative strategies.

it seems Microsoft still has options where the UK is concerned, then, they can negotiate, modify their cloud buisness or go scorched earth with its xbox division in the UK. The last point is an interesting one Is the UK xbox market worth more to MS than what activision is worth to them Globally.

[wakka]

There is quite literally a 0% chance they stop selling Xboxs in the UK. It's their second biggest market.

[Neon Ignition]

If the CMA are right they might as well just stop selling Xbox's everywhere given the sales too