Friday, September 16th 2022
Microsoft's Activision-Blizzard Acquisition Hits UK and EU Regulatory Hurdles
Microsoft's USD $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision-Blizzard is running into hurdles with competition regulators in both the UK and the EU, with both Brussels and London hinting at a thorough investigation into the impact the acquisition will have on competition in their respective markets. Microsoft is already a game publisher under Microsoft Games Studio, and makes at least two leading gaming platforms—the Xbox and Windows PC; whereas Activision-Blizzard own a constellation of dozens of game developers, and a mountain of IP over some of the most valuable game franchises of all time.
Britain's Competition and Markets Authority has hinted that the acquisition warrants a "second-phase investigation" since it has concerns that the deal would "result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom." Over in Brussels, the EU market regulators, too, are taking a closer look at what the deal could entail for European consumers. Sony Computer Entertainment is particularly unhappy with the acquisition, and is the primary source of opposition to the deal that's invoked by regulators. Sony fears that with this acquisition, Microsoft will be in a position to deny popular game franchises such as "Call of Duty" to the PlayStation platform, and will have too much control over whether Sony can deliver an experience comparable or better than that of the Xbox.
Many Thanks to DeathtoGnomes for the tip.
Source:
Gamesindustry.biz
Britain's Competition and Markets Authority has hinted that the acquisition warrants a "second-phase investigation" since it has concerns that the deal would "result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom." Over in Brussels, the EU market regulators, too, are taking a closer look at what the deal could entail for European consumers. Sony Computer Entertainment is particularly unhappy with the acquisition, and is the primary source of opposition to the deal that's invoked by regulators. Sony fears that with this acquisition, Microsoft will be in a position to deny popular game franchises such as "Call of Duty" to the PlayStation platform, and will have too much control over whether Sony can deliver an experience comparable or better than that of the Xbox.
44 Comments on Microsoft's Activision-Blizzard Acquisition Hits UK and EU Regulatory Hurdles
And that's without even looking at how much "familiar" titles and franchises they own.
I'd rather see Activision/Blizzard stayed a shitty company for awhile longer, and either died a slow death, or eventually khm...khm... learned and transformed.The only thing they did well is XB Game pass, but that's also not forever. As soon as all stars align - they'll start pushing prices to the level "customers are willing to pay".
But everything else - nonsense. The only reason they still publish games on PC through third-parties is because their MS Store is borked and has many issues. Or you've already forgotten their early attempts at "exclusivizing" PC games, like broken Gears, or that experimental cinematic abomination Quantum Break. Fortunately they didn't run any devastating experiments on "good" games, but the night is still young.Exclusives sell consoles, non-exclusives make profit. If you take the second half away - there's not much business left to do.
The fact is though, Microsoft does have a much stronger grasp on the gaming market overall, because they have the share of both a console and the PC platform. What else is there? Nintendo? And I do think smartphone/mobile is on a different plane altogether. That is mostly referring to the many dev studios and publishers behind the content.
But even for mobile, there's King...
www.pcgamer.com/microsoft-considering-buying-more-studios-to-stay-competitive-with-tencent-and-sony/
However, there is still "much bussiness to do", A-B is certainly not only large publishing house with many brands. This is not CPU or GPU market with de-facto duopoly. I can count at least 6 more large publishers on game's market (Sony and MS excluded).
And if you ask me, why am I fan of this acquisition? Well, because A-B president Bobby Kottick is very probably going to get kicked-off his seat (most probably with golden parachute, but even so, that is a reason for celebration). And at worst if this goes through A-B's games will remain bad (great at money-milking), while at best scenario, it will be about solely player's enjoyment again (won't happen, but I expect some improvement at least).
Exclusives always were and still are platform sellers. If not exclusives, console competition would largely come down to who has the faster hardware.
Also, for the past couple of years it should've been apparent to you that just because something was exclusive doesn't mean that it would be next year (see Sony selling PS titles on PC), or the other way around, like Epic buying out exclusives for ridiculous amount of money, which makes both indies and big respectable studios break their "rock-solid" promises to the fanbase, or games being pulled off steam and other platforms 'cause big corporate daddy got a fat paycheck.
What i find even more sad is they pretty much wussed giving path of exile a run for it's money. Then again they lost all? the original Diablo creators now.
I guess they will have to grind it even more in to the ground so people with less money than MS can buy it.
If they don't let it go through, I guess they will sell 49% of their shares to Chinese Tencent.
Either way, the gamer will be on the loosing end. ;) Wondering why they don't put their money into startups. There where loads of hot selling indie games in the recent years.