Monday, May 15th 2023

UK Competition Regulator Reinforces Restrictions on Microsoft and Activision Blizzard

by
T0@st
 Discuss (22 Comments)
The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has set further restrictions on Microsoft and Activision Blizzard, thus preventing the mega corporations "acquiring an interest" in each other. An interim order has been published and uploaded to the United Kingdom government's website, as of last week - stating that these companies would require "prior written consent" from the CMA before the making of any business deals. The order is applicable to their main entities as well as smaller subsidiaries.

It was reported a week ago that Microsoft was lawyering up in preparation for its appeal against the UK ban of the $69 billion acquisition (encompassing Activision, Blizzard Entertainment, and King Digital Entertainment). Rumors emerged just before last weekend that EU regulators had largely approved the merger - with Reuters claiming that the deal had received clearance from the European Commission.
Sources: BBC News, PC Games Insider

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22 Comments on UK Competition Regulator Reinforces Restrictions on Microsoft and Activision Blizzard

#1
LFaWolf
EU ok the deal this morning. It will be interesting to see if Microsoft loses the lawsuit, if Activision will pull out of the UK market.
Posted on Reply
#2
Dragokar
LFaWolfEU ok the deal this morning. It will be interesting to see if Microsoft loses the lawsuit, if Activision will pull out of the UK market.
Well just go to Ireland ;)
Posted on Reply
#3
human_error
DragokarWell just go to Ireland ;)
As it would block all business in the UK I'm sure Ireland would be able to spend the additional $4.8bn to make up the shortfall from leaving the UK market ;)
Posted on Reply
#4
TheinsanegamerN
LFaWolfEU ok the deal this morning. It will be interesting to see if Microsoft loses the lawsuit, if Activision will pull out of the UK market.
And nothing of value would be lost.
Posted on Reply
#5
Camm
With the EU approving it today, the UK CMA is starting to look increasingly isolated, and its reasoning in protecting a nascent market dubious at best.
Posted on Reply
#6
Fluffmeister
Yeah, I miss the good old days when Microsoft were fined just for putting an Explorer icon on the desktop, it seems sadly even the EU have finally given in.
Posted on Reply
#7
64K
UK will cave in eventually imo.
Posted on Reply
#8
Arkz
TheinsanegamerNAnd nothing of value would be lost.
hundreds of millions of dollars in sales is nothing of value? Are you okay?
Posted on Reply
#9
katzi
It's funny seeing that the EU is fine with this, approving it and brexit-island is like Nah.

Just always wrong.
Posted on Reply
#10
Dragokar
human_errorAs it would block all business in the UK I'm sure Ireland would be able to spend the additional $4.8bn to make up the shortfall from leaving the UK market ;)
Well MS can pay up for that with ease. In the end the UK will loose this.
Posted on Reply
#11
Fluffmeister
With Blizzard and Activision pumping out the same crap year in year out hopefully MS will lose loads of money down the line anyway.
Posted on Reply
#12
TheinsanegamerN
CammWith the EU approving it today, the UK CMA is starting to look increasingly isolated, and its reasoning in protecting a nascent market dubious at best.
The point of a regulator is to prevent monopolies. Even when you dont like it.
m2geekIt's funny seeing that the EU is fine with this, approving it and brexit-island is like Nah.

Just always wrong.
It's always hilarious to watch pro-regulation, pro-government people immediately seethe and switch sides when its their vidya involved.
Arkzhundreds of millions of dollars in sales is nothing of value? Are you okay?
In a deal worth $50+ BILLION, do you think 100-200 million in sales will break the bank? LMFAO.

Also, do you think the UK would really miss Call of Buty 69420 or Diablo: another mobile port? How will they live without Overwatch: We've already banned you edition?
Posted on Reply
#13
Soul_
My perspective is, UK just has the 'main character syndrome' at this point. Trying to be difficult to show everyone that they think through things better than others, and to not take them lightly.
Posted on Reply
#14
Arkz
TheinsanegamerNThe point of a regulator is to prevent monopolies. Even when you dont like it.

It's always hilarious to watch pro-regulation, pro-government people immediately seethe and switch sides when its their vidya involved.

In a deal worth $50+ BILLION, do you think 100-200 million in sales will break the bank? LMFAO.

Also, do you think the UK would really miss Call of Buty 69420 or Diablo: another mobile port? How will they live without Overwatch: We've already banned you edition?
No? But they're spending money to make money. a few hundred million a year from one tiny island is not something to ignore, obviously as they're appealing the decision instead of just pulling out of the UK.
Soul_My perspective is, UK just has the 'main character syndrome' at this point. Trying to be difficult to show everyone that they think through things better than others, and to not take them lightly.
Or, they don't want one big company controlling all the other companies. It's bad for the consumer.
Posted on Reply
#15
Soul_
ArkzOr, they don't want one big company controlling all the other companies. It's bad for the consumer.
So by extension, are you suggesting that the rest of the world wants what is bad for consumers, or don't know how this is bad for the consumers?
Posted on Reply
#16
Arkz
Soul_So by extension, are you suggesting that the rest of the world wants what is bad for consumers, or don't know how this is bad for the consumers?
I'm suggesting the vast majority are ignorant to what this deal means. And agencies can be convinced to side with MS.

What are you suggesting?
Posted on Reply
#17
Soul_
ArkzI'm suggesting the vast majority are ignorant to what this deal means. And agencies can be convinced to side with MS.

What are you suggesting?
Arkz's inner thoughts, "No you!!", LOL!!

Bud, I have already suggested all I was suggesting in my very first suggestion, which I would suggest for you to read again.

So, your "suggestion" is that rest of the world is stupid and ignorant. Quite a stride in that walk. LOL!!!! I am glad that this is all in writing for everyone to see.
Posted on Reply
#18
Camm
TheinsanegamerNThe point of a regulator is to prevent monopolies. Even when you dont like it.
A monopoly in the cloud gaming market? A market that barely exists and of which physics keeps being an annoying irritant to adoption. Riiiiiiight.
Posted on Reply
#19
Arkz
Soul_Arkz's inner thoughts, "No you!!", LOL!!

Bud, I have already suggested all I was suggesting in my very first suggestion, which I would suggest for you to read again.

So, your "suggestion" is that rest of the world is stupid and ignorant. Quite a stride in that walk. LOL!!!! I am glad that this is all in writing for everyone to see.
I'd rather not read any more of your posts. It makes me sad for humanity.
CammA monopoly in the cloud gaming market? A market that barely exists and of which physics keeps being an annoying irritant to adoption. Riiiiiiight.
Their cloud gaming reasoning was rather odd and weak, dunno why they didn't just reason that they would be making everything exclusive to their own platforms and leaving everyone else with buy our stuff or don't play. I'm sure they'll still do a few PS5 games. Things that were announced before the merger. But then it will start with timed exclusives for xbox and windows store, exclusive content for their platforms, and just not releasing on the competitors hardware. Either way the consumer gets screwed, exclusives suck.
Posted on Reply
#20
jigar2speed
Cash grab scheme of UK CMA is getting exposed.
Posted on Reply
#21
Soul_
ArkzI'd rather not read any more of your posts. It makes me sad for humanity.
What a blessing in disguise. A person that is unable to discuss, is unable to face the people with an opposing opinion. ref: 'close minded'.
Posted on Reply
#22
Arkz
Soul_What a blessing in disguise. A person that is unable to discuss, is unable to face the people with an opposing opinion. ref: 'close minded'.
:sleep:
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