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

[method115]

So if CMA is less concerned about COD leaving PS5 what’s this concern about cloud gaming about?

They are worried that MS will have such a leg up on cloud gaming with the activision deal that no one else can compete.

 

[Law Talkin’ Guy]

They are worried that MS will have such a leg up on cloud gaming with the activision deal that no one else can compete.

Dafuq does buying BlizzardActivision have to do with that?

 

[method115]

Dafuq does buying BlizzardActivision have to do with that?

You have some of the biggest IPs in the world exclusive to your cloud gaming service. Does any other service even have a chance at that point? They are basically just afraid it will hurt the competion in cloud gaming because MS will have such a lead no one else will really be able to do much.

 

[Blayt7hh]

Is COD that big of a seller still? I feel like I never really hear anyone talk about it anymore. I remember the days 10+ years ago when a COD game came out, its threads would get insane amounts of traffic on this forum

 

[Cole train]

Is COD that big of a seller still? I feel like I never really hear anyone talk about it anymore. I remember the days 10+ years ago when a COD game came out, its threads would get insane amounts of traffic on this forum

Its still number 1 casual shooter game to my knowledge

Something you buy your kid to play while you go get drunk or something to play after work day

 

[what-wut]

 

[milliniar]

So with the appeal process how much longer will it take? Now the 69 billion dollar question will the FTC also block the deal, as I believe they also mentioned cloud gaming in the past.

 

[avenue94]

So with the appeal process how much long will it take? Also will the FTC also block the deal, as I believe they also mentioned cloud gaming in the past.

It would take them past the break up fees threshold.

FTC is still up in the air, but part of why the CMA was as aggressive as it was was probably to draw a bright line and put pressure on other regulators.

 

[rob mafia]

this was basically a headshot.

msft still technically has a chance, but realistically, this is over/not happening. they'd need to pull off a basically unprecedented cma reversal.

the downside is...actibliz wins AGAIN and gets a pile of money for nothing. yay.

 

[milliniar]

this was basically a headshot.

msft still technically has a chance, but realistically, this is over/not happening. they'd need to pull off a basically unprecedented cma reversal.

the downside is...actibliz wins AGAIN and gets a pile of money for nothing. yay.

The other aspect of the downside is that ABK wanted to sell, and if they can't sell in one piece they would probably sell IP or dev teams to different buyers.

 

[rob mafia]

The other aspect of the downside is that ABK wanted to sell, and if they can't sell in one piece they would probably sell IP or dev teams to different buyers.

the only actual downside to this is that the market changed since the deal was announced, and they'd certainly have a lower valuation now. but the $3B or whatever in cash sure helps cover that.

 

[llperez22]

So is this sale being blocked just because it would make Microsoft gaming too powerful in the market ?

 

[milliniar]

So is this sale being blocked just because it would make Microsoft gaming too powerful in the market ?

In the cloud market, more specifically in the UK.
EU, and FTC could also still move to block for the same or different reasons.

 

[method115]

Now here is Brad Smith threatening future business in the UK and calling the EU a better place to do business all because he didn't get his way. I'm sure this will really help in their appeal. Trash the UK market and threaten any future business in the country.

In an interview with the BBC's Wake up to Money programme, Mr Smith said Microsoft was "very disappointed" with the CMA's decision, "but more than that, unfortunately, I think it's bad for Britain".

"It does more than shake our confidence in the future of the opportunity to grow a technology business in Britain than we've ever confronted before," he said.

"People are shocked, people are disappointed, and people's confidence in technology in the UK has been severely shaken.

"There's a clear message here - the European Union is a more attractive place to start a business than the United Kingdom."


https://www.bbc.com/news/business-65407005

 

[Kevster]

Not sure “give us our own way or we’ll take our ball and go home” is the best tactic.

So what if the EU decide to block.

 

[milliniar]

Not sure “give us our own way or we’ll take our ball and go home” is the best tactic.

So what if the EU decide to block.

It isn't especially as EU and FTC haven't reached their decision yet.

 

[method115]

Not sure “give us our own way or we’ll take our ball and go home” is the best tactic.

So what if the EU decide to block.

If the EU blocks I see MS pulling out of the deal immediately at that point. For now I think they will wait to see what the EU says and see how their appeal goes. I think they are already 2-3 billion in the hole regardless of what happens. EU's final date is May 26th so they still have plenty of time but most are expecting their decision around mid May.

 

[avenue94]

If the EU blocks I see MS pulling out of the deal immediately at that point. For now I think they will wait to see what the EU says and see how their appeal goes. I think they are already 2-3 billion in the hole regardless of what happens. EU's final date is May 26th so they still have plenty of time but most are expecting their decision around mid May.

If the deal collapses, that's going to be a hilarious self own given they gutted 343 and need devs and IP bad. Also can't help but point out the irony of part of the reason cloud gaming was on the UK's radar was because Microsoft has been hyping it so much as the next big thing (it might be, but it's decades away still).

 

[HereticBD]

If the deal collapses, that's going to be a hilarious self own given they gutted 343 and need devs and IP bad. Also can't help but point out the irony of part of the reason cloud gaming was on the UK's radar was because Microsoft has been hyping it so much as the next big thing (it might be, but it's decades away still).

It's not decades away. It's basically already here. Won't take much at all to iron out the relatively few kinks it still has.

 

[Dizzy]

I feel like the thread title needs to be updated @Madmick