Microsoft to Acquire Activision Blizzard

spackbace on 19/01/2022 - 01:24
Last edited 19/01/2022 - 01:24

https://news.microsoft.com/2022/01/18/microsoft-to-acquire-a…

Exciting times, unless you own a playstation! 😂

The acquisition also bolsters Microsoft’s Game Pass portfolio with plans to launch Activision Blizzard games into Game Pass, which has reached a new milestone of over 25 million subscribers. With Activision Blizzard’s nearly 400 million monthly active players in 190 countries and three billion-dollar franchises, this acquisition will make Game Pass one of the most compelling and diverse lineups of gaming content in the industry. Upon close, Microsoft will have 30 internal game development studios, along with additional publishing and esports production capabilities.

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Comments

  • Iwantthebestprice on 19/01/2022 - 01:27

    At this point I should just return my PS5 and keep the series X! Playstation can try and come out with a games pass but they will struggle to catch up to Xbox/Microsoft now

    • spackbace on 19/01/2022 - 01:31

      Even the cloud gaming is awesome to save the hassle of installing a game if you don't need the full 4k experience

      I've even cloud gamed on a chromebook with just an Xbox controller!

      • Iwantthebestprice on 19/01/2022 - 01:42

        I trailed the cloud gaming on my last phone (Samsung S21 ultra) and I was shocked at how well it did. Tested a couple games on tablet and was also very nice. With cloud gaming, game pass and now a game pass that will deliver games like COD, overwatch 2 etc, which retail for about $90each, you really can’t go wrong. I’m still playing the new halo multiplayer game released for free a month ago, the game is awesome!

  • raptormesh on 19/01/2022 - 01:39
    +6

    Jokes on them i don't even play their games. Still a huge deal though, and we really shouldn't be so happy with mega buy outs like this. But game pass amirite?

  • dcep on 19/01/2022 - 01:53
    +1

    ahh dang , was gonna buy atvi at 60

  • xtremehell on 19/01/2022 - 02:09
    +1

    Would rather let Blizzard rest in peace; it's best days are well and truly gone.

    • gromit on 21/01/2022 - 09:25
      +1

      They own a lot of valuable IP, Even if the dev teams are left to rott the IP itself has fantastic value and potential.

  • rektrading on 19/01/2022 - 02:28
    -1

    This will give a boost to Play to Earn and GameFi.

  • Hybroid on 19/01/2022 - 05:05

    “I’ll just say to players out there who are playing Activision Blizzard games on Sony’s platform: It’s not our intent to pull communities away from that platform and we remained committed to that,” Spencer said in an interview.

    PlayStation owners are safe. For now.

    • Vinodra on 19/01/2022 - 06:53
      +1

      Same thing they said about Bethesda.

      What that means is Warzone will still get updates on PS, but the new COD games will be exclusive.

      • Hybroid on 19/01/2022 - 06:55

        Not quite.

        Phil Spencer tells @dinabass that Xbox plans to honor the PS5 exclusivity commitment for Deathloop and Ghostwire: Tokyo.

        Future Bethesda games will be on Xbox, PC, and "other consoles on a case by case basis."

        • Vinodra on 19/01/2022 - 06:58
          +2

          What I am referring to is the 'games that have a legacy on other platforms will still be supported' comment they made about Bethesda, aka, games that are already released there.

          People were in denial about Starfield, TESVI etc also, look how that turned out.

      • jimbobaus on 19/01/2022 - 20:06

        They never said it about Bethesda.

    • AngusD on 19/01/2022 - 08:31

      Well it's not their "intent". Their intent is to try to bolster Game Pass. Pulling people away from other platforms is just a side effect, not their "intent".

      The biggest issue for them is likely to be getting this deal past the US antitrust regulators.

      • Vinodra on 19/01/2022 - 11:36
        +2

        If Disney can buy Fox I really don't see this being blocked

      • gromit on 21/01/2022 - 09:28

        MS share in gaming is relatively modest, even if you try and constrain it to just consoles to try and inflate the number it is well below 40%, should really be no anti trust issues at all.

        • AngusD on 21/01/2022 - 10:33

          Probably not, although Joe Biden signed an executive order last year ordering the FTC and other agencies to crack down on mergers and acquisitions by big tech companies. Especially those considered "killer acquisitions", ie those intended to kill off competitors or potential competitors. I think it was driven by the Facebook acquisition of Instagram, which was done primarily to prevent Instagram from becoming a direct competitor. So not necessarily the same thing (the same thing would be MS outright buying Sony, or at least its gaming division), but will still come under pretty close scrutiny.

          • gromit on 21/01/2022 - 11:09

            @AngusD: It will get some scrutiny as all large buyouts do, but there is nothing here to ring any alarm bells.

  • kazuyamishima on 19/01/2022 - 05:29
    +5

    The fanboyism in the OP is strong.

  • jallen89 on 19/01/2022 - 08:59

    Sweet. While I’ve been always had PlayStations a couple of months ago I purchased an xBox Series S along with GamePass for the bedroom. Great value and some pretty great games. While the Series S won’t replace my PS5 as I love most of PlayStation’s exclusives, I’m happy I have access to Xbox exclusives. I’m particularly looking forward to Stalker 2.

  • pegaxs on 19/01/2022 - 10:25
    +3

    I guess that's one way to get console exclusives, is to just buy up every game distributor on the market.

    • AngusD on 19/01/2022 - 10:44
      +4

      This is my major complaint with this. I've got no issue with companies making their own exclusive content as we see from all of Sony / Nintendo / Microsoft. That generally produces the best games on each of the various platforms. But while this acquisition is a huge money deal, it is creatively bankrupt - it's spending a huge amount of money to actually create absolutely nothing.

      When you think of what US$70bn (even more if you add in what they spend on Bethesda) could do… they could start up any number of AAA dev teams with handpicked talent from across the industry, create a bunch of really high quality original first-party IPs, and actually create something extraordinary and still end up with some great content to put into GamePass.

      Instead they're spending a vast amount of money to actually create LESS (since there won't be Sony / Nintendo versions of many / most / all of these IPs going forward), purely to tie these existing IPs up in their subscription service.

      • pegaxs on 19/01/2022 - 10:50
        +2

        Microsoft has tried in the past to buy out companies like Sega and Nintendo and tried to partner with Sony. I think this is just MS throwing all their money behind monopolising the market and just trying to bury everyone else… A kind of "well, you wont sell to us, that's ok, we will just buy up all your main suppliers and have them build exclusively for us."

        Pretty soon, the only way you will be able to play all the big games is to go on a subscription based service though Microsoft.

  • EightImmortals on 19/01/2022 - 10:35
    +2

    So Warcraft 4 then?

    • pharkurnell on 19/01/2022 - 12:32

      Wait for service pack 1100…

  • Pudina Chutney on 19/01/2022 - 10:35
    +2

    Can't wait to see more subscription "deals"…

  • [Deactivated] on 19/01/2022 - 10:48
    +2

    Storm in fan-sized teacup.

  • Ghost47 on 19/01/2022 - 11:05

    Woohoo more COD games for Xbox because everyone knows Xbox doesn’t have any good games!

  • Wuggle on 19/01/2022 - 11:21
    +1

    Nintendo survives and thrives thanks to its IP such as Mario and Zelda.

    Sony shouldn't be worried or have a knee jerk reaction and start buying things up too. Its pockets will never be as deep as Microsoft anyway. Sony needs to focus on its exclusives and growing and creating its IP so that what it offers the market has a similar nintendo style magic to it.

    Not saying Sony should accept defeat or second place to Xbox yet but maybe when you have the money of Microsoft you have to just concede Xbox may eventually be the platform for the mainstream and casual gaming audience and the likes of Nintendo and Sony need to just continue their focus on making great games for their platforms and not worrying about trying to compete with where Microsoft is going.

  • Switchblade88 on 19/01/2022 - 11:37

    Microsoft doesn't want to make exclusives - they'd rather be making money selling games to PS5 owners!

  • pharkurnell on 19/01/2022 - 12:29
    -1

    Exciting times ???

    That should 100% ensure all games are released full of bugs, and that patches will break more than they fix…. and everythign will go subscription to "give the user better value"…

    OUtsTanDIng

  • Drpepper666 on 19/01/2022 - 13:56
    -3

    Xbox stay winning! Sony fans malding with seethe and cope lol.

    Xbox series X with gamepass ultimate is the best gaming purchase you can make right now.

  • AustriaBargain on 19/01/2022 - 14:25

    Wonder if we'll still get cross play for Overwatch 2. Or if Crash and Spyro will become Xbox exclusive series.

  • jimbobaus on 19/01/2022 - 20:08
    -2

    Chances are the FTC Are going to block this purchase.
    They have already indicated they will be investigating it
    Largest American owned gaming coming once this deal goes through.

    Tencent is 1 (china)
    Sony is 2 (japan)
    Microsoft will be 3 when this deal is finalised.

    • KaTst3R on 19/01/2022 - 23:28

      No chance in hell they will block this deal. The gaming industry (this includes console, pc, mobile) is fragmented enough that no 1 or 2 companies controls the majority of the market. Even if MS becomes number 3, there is still EA, Nintendo, Google, Apple below and a long list of publishers/developers. I did a quick HHI analysis on pre and post deal market concentration using available data on various websites and both points to a competitive market environment. FTC will only block if suddenly the market becomes highly concentrated and MS has some what an anti-competitive advantage from this deal.

      • jimbobaus on 20/01/2022 - 10:25

        I agree it probably will not get blocked but the FTC was very qucik to come out and make it clear they intend to look into it.

        • KaTst3R on 20/01/2022 - 10:31

          FTC comes out and look into all big acquisition deals. That is their job to make sure integrity of the market is maintained and consumers are protected.

          • jimbobaus on 20/01/2022 - 10:35

            @KaTst3R: I know how the FTC works.
            my point is that in most aquistion situations they are not so quick to respond.
            Even MS and Activiison have indicated to shareholders they do expect some pushback from the FTC which is why they anticipate the deal not closing util Q1 2023

            • KaTst3R on 20/01/2022 - 10:50

              @jimbobaus:

              Chances are the FTC Are going to block this purchase.

              You indicated that the FTC has announced/indicated that they are looking to block this which hasnt been the case from what i can see in public news.

              I agree it probably will not get blocked

              And then you backtracked on your statement.

              The only thing that im pointing out is that based on your statement that Microsoft is now No.3 in market share and the largest American owned gaming company, you are implying that the FTC wants to block this deal because of market concentration. I am saying post merge market share wont be an issue and disagreeing. This is not having a go at you, just having a healthy conversation and stating facts.

              • jimbobaus on 20/01/2022 - 11:00

                @KaTst3R:

                You indicated that the FTC has announced/indicated that they are looking to block this which hasnt been the case from what i can see in public news.
                \
                Maybe i chose the wrong words, but all the news i was watching about it mentioned that FTC will probably kick up a stink

                And then you backtracked on your statement.

                I clarified my personal opinion… no back tracking

  • buckster on 19/01/2022 - 22:32
    +2

    Maybe they can fix the massive culture sh*tstorm at Activision-Blizzard in the process, and maybe we'll get a few good games again hopefully

  • [Deactivated] on 21/01/2022 - 08:42
    +1

    Why are people celebrating a mega corporation buying out a company? Do you own stock in Microsoft?

    • gromit on 21/01/2022 - 09:32
      +1

      because Activision blizzard was a decaying mess both from culture and game development. However they own a lot of great IP's that don't have to go down the toilet with them. This is probably one of the better results for fans of various games under that umbrella.

    • RotundPolarBear on 21/01/2022 - 12:57

      I own Microsoft stock but I believe the gaming division only accounts for about 10% of total revenue, so it's only a very small part of the conglomerate and wouldn't really have much of an affect on the stock price.

  • Odin on 21/01/2022 - 21:20
    -1

    Yeah this is going to destroy gaming. I give it 5-10 years before Sony gives in and allows gamepass on playstation. Then another 5 years after that for Sony software sales to disapear and profits to go to zip. Sony corporate will pull the plug and stop manufacturing consoles.

    Enjoy paying your monthly subscription fees, going from owning to renting games, all at the mercy of megacorp microsoft.

    At least Nintendo should still stick around.

    • [Deactivated] on 22/01/2022 - 01:01
      -1

      Yeah because renting tv and movies has proved to be such a fail. Move with the times.

      • Odin on 22/01/2022 - 03:03
        -1

        TV and movies is wayyyy different to games.

        • [Deactivated] on 22/01/2022 - 07:19

          All mainstream mass media and Microsoft are proving that they can do what Netflix did (get a massive headstart on everyone else)

          • Odin on 22/01/2022 - 07:23
            +1

            @[Deactivated]: Of course they can, it doesn't mean it's a good thing.

            • [Deactivated] on 22/01/2022 - 07:28

              @Odin: Why, what's the downfall? They've also already did it with music successfully as well. Also why would Sony give in first and allow GP on their platform when Nintendo have just as close ties to MS, if not closer?

              Also remember that you already don't own digital games per say, you purchase a licence to use them.

              • Odin on 22/01/2022 - 17:35

                @[Deactivated]:

                Why, what's the downfall?

                Removal of ownership and removal of control from us - the customer.

                It is handing all the legal rights and power back to corporations.

                The difference between Movies, TV, and Music, is that all of that is a static medium - it can be ripped regardless of how it is transmitted (though streaming is massively inferior to blu-ray in terms of quality).

                With games DRM means that the content can often stay completely locked and controlled by the publisher.

                Also remember that you already don't own digital games per say, you purchase a licence to use them.

                Digital games, yes. Physical games you do own them. Digital games you're at the mercy of the distributor who can revoke your license at their whim. Physical games you literally own them like you own a house, a car, a TV, a shirt, watch, computer, book, etc.

                • [Deactivated] on 22/01/2022 - 18:07
                  -1

                  @Odin: Ok so let's not forget that

                  a) it's cheaper to use Gamepass than it is to buy 2 games per year and you get access to more games than you can handle. Brand new Triple A content from Xbox, Bethesda, EA, Ubisoft etc

                  b) you don't need to wait for postage, go to the store and hope that the game you want is in stock.

                  c) you don't need to be concerned about discs being lost or damaged.

                  d) you can game share with family or friends.

                  e) you can use a VPN to make the cost drop to such a low price that this discussion isn't even worth continuing. I paid $50 a year for this service (I've bought 3 years in advance) and that covers my PC and the series X I've bought for the family.

                  The only people who can't see the benefits of Gamepass are those blinkered by console war rubbish. I've owned every PlayStation since Sony started in the games business and I've been a big fan. I've dabbled in Xbox every generation but only to play the first party titles. Nowadays I'm a PC gamer with a side of Nintendo, I buy the Sony games that they port and enjoy them but I can't see how any gamer can turn their nose up at Gamepass now.

                  • Odin on 22/01/2022 - 19:33
                    +1

                    @[Deactivated]: a) cheaper for the moment, similar to Microsoft in the commercial enterprise segment, once they gain enough market share the price will go up. Same as Netflix and all other subscription services over time.
                    b) amazon mate
                    c) meh, disc damage is completely overblown today. Try and scratch a blu-ray. You can't without using a knife. The way the discs are manufactured is completely different to CDs from the 90s. The durability is incredible these days and their lifetime is >100 years.
                    d) you can share your discs/carts with anyone, and you can trade them, and sell them, and insure them
                    e) Yeah, but that's a game of cat and mouse with the companies often trying to stop this. Also you're basically exploiting the poverty of other nations which is kinda immoral to me

                    I'm not saying gamepass is a rip off or anything. It's ridiculous value, BUT, it's ridiculous value because:

                    1. Microsoft is subsidizing it hard.
                    2. Microsoft is using it for metadata mining which is invaluable

                    It's just not sustainable at it's current pricepoint long term.

                    Again, I'm not saying it's not an amazing deal. I'm saying the direction and strategy Microsoft is pursuing with gamepass and subscription services is bad for gamers overall long term. It means more power to the corporations and less power to the gamers.

                    • [Deactivated] on 22/01/2022 - 19:46
                      -1

                      @Odin: I don't think Netflix has been bad for the industry, they have raised their prices and I've dropped them as there are other options now. That's how it works, Sony need to get their act together and get in on this. Nintendo will take ten years to realise that switch online expansion is a pile of crap and they'll eventually join in as well. I don't need a load of game cases to clutter up the place, my kids lose and misplace and yes break games every so often so another plus.
                      Judge me using a VPN all you like, we're both on ozb to save a few bucks and if I can make my money go further at the expense of the big corporations that you're worried about taking advantage of us (when it suits your argument) then so be it. I'm sure they'll survive.

                      Anyway it seems like you're an analogue gamer in a digital world.

                      • Odin on 22/01/2022 - 19:50

                        @[Deactivated]: Then why not just pirate games? It's easier and cheaper and more convenient?

                        • [Deactivated] on 22/01/2022 - 20:02

                          @Odin: I'm losing track here as your strawman is flipping and flipping all over the place. Are you for or against big corporations in this latest reply? 🥱

                          • Odin on 22/01/2022 - 20:07

                            @[Deactivated]: I'm saying, if you don't care about ownership, or physical products, or the trajectory of the industry, and you don't care about paying the asking price…

                            why not just pirate what you want and make it even easier/cheaper on yourself?

                            • [Deactivated] on 22/01/2022 - 20:57
                              -1

                              @Odin: Because I don't want to steal it (I don't think using a VPN is stealing and I don't give a hoot on your opinion about it), I don't want to get banned from the xbox service and I do care about the trajectory of the industry but here's the kicker - I just think you're wrong about it and are being a bit of a salty fanboy to be honest. I think if this was Sony with their PS Now you'd be less vocal. Anyway it's been interesting, you're taking up too much of my time with this nonsense.

  • DASHCAM NOW DUDE on 01/02/2022 - 09:54

    Sony should buy Bungie.

  • DASHCAM NOW DUDE on 26/04/2023 - 21:47

    Sony did buy Bungie!

    Xbox Denied.

    https://www.gov.uk/government/news/microsoft-activision-deal…

    • dongltron on 06/05/2023 - 13:19
      +1

      Hahaha sucked in Microsoft. Feel bad for them, this has been a shit year for them

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