Microsoft is Buying Activision Blizzard $68.7B ***Update: Acquisition Finalized***

[Deadwing88]

 

[method115]

Probably just Warzone though. Like ESO.

Yea I could see it just being Warzone also. That might be enough to mitigate the damage though. COD is a massive franchise. I think it would be a dumb move by MS to keep that series on the system. It's to late for Warzone. I don't think they can remove it even if they wanted to but they can create Warzone 2 and end support for Warzone 1. While at the same time allowing people to transfer all purchases to the new Warzone.

 

[method115]

One can only hope. I do not share your optimism but I am rooting for you.

The main problem I see is that I do not see the value in it at its current price. Even much less so if the prices goes up. If I think this way then others will as well. I've stated as such but I have many friends with Gamepass (families benefit a lot from this) but I also have lots of friends who had it for a bit then cancelled it. The family plan is $30+/month (friend has it and). That sounds outrageously expensive but it's worth it to him because he gets to game with his kids - and I agree. Right now I am a gamepass user for the next 3 years.. After 3 years I am planning on cancelling. I am not paying $15+ a month for this service. Not with my current gaming habits anyway. That may change but as of now that's the plan.

Gamepass has lots of subscribers yes but how many of them are on this sweet $5/month deal like me? How many of those are going to cancel? Gamepass is starting out hot because the deals are great and hot. Once the initial group's special deal expires will most remain? I dunno. 50 million subscribers that remain after their special deal runs out? Its possible.

Don't get me wrong I don't know if GP will be profitable one day or not. It's certainly possible but I don't know. I don't know how many gamers are into it. A lot of people I know who game aren't into it. They don't want another subscription cost for a bunch of games they have no interest in and they don't game that much to begin with.

I don't have GP right now either. Not enough content that I want for me to justify the cost but as the service grows and if the acquisitions keep happening that could change. Especially once all the devs start getting in a groove and consistently rolling out games. The price will go up eventually that is pretty much guaranteed.

 

[Dizzy]

Definitely a silver lining if the employees end up in a better position.

 

[SaiWa]

I said we’ll see. Nice that you’re so trusting of the corporate behemoth buying up the industry.

It's not about trust. It's about business sense. COD is a cash cow. What sense would it make to immediately/suddenly wall off one of the largest gaming user base when you can offer the game and make your money? Especially considering how COD is built around microtransactions. It makes money EVEN after the game is sold. Sure Sony is going to get its cut for having it on their platform but the lion's share will goto Activision... or shall i say MS. Not only that but they can slowly snag that userbase by offering special DLCs or special in-game items (special weapons or gear) that are only provided on the MS side. If they play their cards right the COD players who are still on PS4 will have an incentive to switch over to Series X/S because all the special goodies are on the MS side.

If you had an ounce of business sense you would have realized this...

 

[PEB]

"
Microsoft (MSFT) shook the tech and gaming industries on Tuesday when it announced its planned purchase of Activision Blizzard (ATVI) for $68.7 billion. The deal, slated to close in 2023, would instantly turn Microsoft into the owner of one of the biggest franchises in the world, “Call of Duty,” and make it a key mobile gaming player.

But according to Jefferies analyst Brent Thill, the deal is also a huge win for Activision Blizzard and its employees, who have had to contend with an ongoing sexual harassment and discrimination scandal that rocked the company.

“Microsoft just threw not a lifeboat, but they pulled up in a megayacht, and everyone got on, ‘Let’s go!’ ” Thill told Yahoo Finance Live."

 

[jojoRed]

This is like saying a games popularity on Twitch is an indication of its user base. Steam itself has more monthly active users than Playstation or XBox.

Because more people own computers than consoles. Duuuhhhhhhhhh.

 

[BreakinTheLaw]

It won't matter if CoD is still on Playstation. Tons of other titles from those studios won't be, and the perception will be that if you want to play FPS games, XBOX is once again the platform you will go to for that.

Sony is going to be pretty fucked if they can't provide more than AAA third person action games.

 

[method115]

It won't matter if CoD is still on Playstation. Tons of other titles from those studios won't be, and the perception will be that if you want to play FPS games, XBOX is once again the platform you will go to for that.

Sony is going to be pretty fucked if they can't provide more than AAA third person action games.

COD is the biggest FPS and a top seller for PlayStation. If it stays no perceptions are going to be changed. If it leaves then I agree.

 

[what-wut]

COD is the biggest FPS and a top seller for PlayStation. If it stays no perceptions are going to be changed. If it leaves then I agree.

If COD leaves and Sony releases a quality fps on all platforms. Many people who won't buy a PC and xbox will switch to the Sony game. And the people that are on Xbox or PC will be encouraged to buy that game if they want to keep playing with their buddies. The allure of playing with your friends is very strong and Sony should use it to their own advantage.

 

[GtehMVP]

Definitely a silver lining if the employees end up in a better position.

That yearly release needs to go, especially when they have a great game. My buddies and I played the hell out of world at war, would have been nice if they kept rolling out updates

It should be a bi-annual release at most, if only to free up Raven to do better things.

As for multiplat releases, I think M$ would be idiotic to keep certain games on their platform/pc only.

I can understand games like Starfield, but MP games that rake in billions on MT's... doesnt make financial sense. Expect time releases though.

This does give them leverage to entice cross console play though. PC should be kept separate, but having COD and Overwatch types on both systems would be a great thing.

I think Spencer is smart enough to realise that crushing Sony isnt in anyone's interest. There are plenty of ways to monetize their loyal following.

 

[vinnie245]

Indeed, ditch the yearly CoD releases and get Raven out of the CoD basement so they can make their own games again.
Its been 12 years since their last game (Singularity) time they got back to it.

 

[Schoolboy Q]

Hopefully raven software brings back Soldier of Fortune, those games ruled. Exclusive on PC and Xbox of course.

 

[kenetics]

I mean if Phil Spencer can purge all rogue elements within Activision, especially kotick.. this is a great thing.

This. Activision had been shit for the last few yrs

 

[KaNesDeath]

Now OWL's biggest cheerleader Bobby Kotick is about to leave the company. OWL as a esport will die when Youtubes contract expires this year.

 

[PEB]

There is a rumor that Microsoft's massive move has caused Apple HQ to panic big time they been hiring Xbox engineers and apparently are accelerating an redoubling their and March could be the biggest release of new products in Apples history.

 

[Madmick]

There is a rumor that Microsoft's massive move has caused Apple HQ to panic big time they been hiring Xbox engineers and apparently are accelerating an redoubling their and March could be the biggest release of new products in Apples history.

LOL, a bit late, but okay. They should have released a dual-analog controller for their Apple TV units two years ago.

They've treated Apple Arcade with a smug indifference.

 

[KaNesDeath]

LOL, a bit late, but okay. They should have released a dual-analog controller for their Apple TV units two years ago.

There is a rumor that Microsoft's massive move has caused Apple HQ to panic big time they been hiring Xbox engineers and apparently are accelerating an redoubling their and March could be the biggest release of new products in Apples history.

Likely in response to Intels new mobile chip announced at CES.

 

[PEB]

LOLalate, but okay. They should have released a dual-analog controller for their Apple TV units two years ago.

They've treated Apple Arcade with a smug indifference.

True but there is enough "apple nuts" to make some insane claim "That finally we will see a real game console" or some kind of nonsense. I also here rumblings of a VR headset announcement to be made in March also that will cost around 2 grand but will feature 4k per eye microOLED panels and pancake optics for clear optics and 120 degree field of view and will for whatever reason a 5g capable iPhone 12 or higher phone to run.

 

[method115]

True but there is enough "apple nuts" to make some insane claim "That finally we will see a real game console" or some kind of nonsense. I also here rumblings of a VR headset announcement to be made in March also that will cost around 2 grand but will feature 4k per eye microOLED panels and pancake optics for clear optics and 120 degree field of view and will for whatever reason a 5g capable iPhone 12 or higher phone to run.

I do hope Apple enters the console market that would be cool to see.