Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Microsoft wins FTC fight to buy Activision Blizzard

theverge.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

21–30 of 490 posts

Re: Microsoft wins FTC fight to buy Activision Blizzard

#21

Post by darrenf »

specto wrote: post #10
tosh wrote: post #7

How could closing the deal look like in practice while the UK is blocking it? Would that mean Microsoft can't sell Activision Blizzard games in the UK?

It was already approved there too now

When did that happen? On the dedicated CMA page[0] about the inquiry I see nothing since the draft final order[1] in May, which absolutely does not approve it. Quote:

On 5 May 2023, the CMA made an Interim Order pursuant to section 81 of the Act preventing each of Microsoft and Activision and all members of their Groups of Interconnected Bodies Corporate from acquiring in the other any interest conferring control within the meaning of section 26 of the Act

[0] https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/microsoft-slash-activision-bliz...

[1] https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6465ec16e1407...

Re: Microsoft wins FTC fight to buy Activision Blizzard

#22

Post by Retric »

SV_BubbleTime wrote: post #18
darknavi wrote: post #2

Microsoft employee here, opinions my own. I work in gaming at Microsoft and I really enjoy it. I think Microsoft gives us a ton of space to explore and make our own impact and I am a huge fan* of Phil Spencer. > Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision has been described as the largest in tech history. It deserves scrutiny. That scrutiny has paid off: Microsoft has committed in writing, in public, and in court to keep C…

[flagged]

It’s not about Sony, but customers that own a PS and not an XBox. Microsoft loves to buy studios and restrict access, just look a Halo it was introduced as a Mac game by the studio, Microsoft bought them specifically for XBox and fuck anyone that owned a Mac.

2 years after release they released a copy of the first game because all the work was done. Nothing from the rest of the series.

Re: Microsoft wins FTC fight to buy Activision Blizzard

#23

Post by throwaway106382 »

darknavi wrote: post #2

Microsoft employee here, opinions my own. I work in gaming at Microsoft and I really enjoy it. I think Microsoft gives us a ton of space to explore and make our own impact and I am a huge fan* of Phil Spencer. > Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision has been described as the largest in tech history. It deserves scrutiny. That scrutiny has paid off: Microsoft has committed in writing, in public, and in court to keep C…

in 10 years I fully expect Sony to have a competitive first party title exclusive to playstation, now that they actually have to give a damn. I love the killzone series but Guerilla seems to be doing fine with Horizon, hopefully a new IP

Re: Microsoft wins FTC fight to buy Activision Blizzard

#24

Post by mysterydip »

lesuorac wrote: post #4
darknavi wrote: post #2

Microsoft employee here, opinions my own. I work in gaming at Microsoft and I really enjoy it. I think Microsoft gives us a ton of space to explore and make our own impact and I am a huge fan* of Phil Spencer. > Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision has been described as the largest in tech history. It deserves scrutiny. That scrutiny has paid off: Microsoft has committed in writing, in public, and in court to keep C…

> How does this make anyone feel any better? What happens after 10 years? What happens in less than 10 years if they don't abide by it? Does Activision get split back out? I doubt it. We're long past the point where you can just set rules/laws and companies will abide by it. We need to be at the point where we also list the punishment ahead of time.

Most likely a fine far less than the money gained from not abiding by the law, if history is anything to go by.

Re: Microsoft wins FTC fight to buy Activision Blizzard

#25

Post by MikusR »

zamalek wrote: post #14
MikusR wrote: post #8

A snippet from the case "FTC: We've heard about the harms to Sony... Judge: This is about the harms to the consumer not to Sony. Let's take a break until 4:05."

Qualitatively, there are also more harms to the consumer by leaving Actiblizz in the incompetent hands of the current leadership. I still wonder what all of this is worth given that the merger was blocked in the UK.

https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/11/23791149/microsoft-activi...

Re: Microsoft wins FTC fight to buy Activision Blizzard

#27

Post by ramesh31 »

This is a very good thing for gamers. It reminds me of the Sprint/T-mobile merger, which was a huge win for consumers, allowing T-mobile to actually put pressure on ATT and Verizon.

Activision is a terrible company whose iron grip on their beloved IP (bought from Blizzard and Infinity Ward) has been absolutely stifling to the industry. They are almost singlehandedly responsible for everything that sucks about gaming now.

Re: Microsoft wins FTC fight to buy Activision Blizzard

#28

Post by zamalek »

MikusR wrote: post #25
zamalek wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Qualitatively, there are also more harms to the consumer by leaving Actiblizz in the incompetent hands of the current leadership. I still wonder what all of this is worth given that the merger was blocked in the UK.

https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/11/23791149/microsoft-activi...

Oh, that's awesome news!
Post reply on HN