Microsoft Acquires Activision Blizzard

[Sheikah]

Worldwide consistent internet for allow for lag free gaming wherever you go? It may be coming, but I doubt we'll see that kind of stability in our lifetime. 

Given that when I was a teenager we used to connect to internet via dialup, and now we can stream in 4K, I think you are drastically underestimating what will be achieved in our lifetimes.

[Choze]

Thanks Julius, Ronnie.

The EU may also block after this. Keen on the result.

Its a good surprise that the CMA are stepping up. The US is looking exciting with the Google breakup case. The EU is making more progress on privacy and data.

MS are looking really awful right now. Same attitude as with the US FTC case. Just a reminder of why these firms are so dangerous. MS think they should be above the police. 

RE: Cloud. Things can happen suddenly. Which is why this enforcement is necessary (ofcourse MS already are ahead). Also the mainstream may not care about lag at some point. Cloud can take gaming beyond the limitations of devices. Look at how mobile devices like the Switch design are important again. Many will enjoy not worrying as much about the specs.

 

 

 

Edited April 27 by Choze

[Sheikah]

Thanks Julius, Ronnie.
The EU may also block after this. Keen on the result.
Its a good surprise that the CMA are stepping up. The US is looking exciting with the Google breakup case. The EU is making more progress on privacy and data.
MS are looking really awful right now. Same attitude as with the US FTC case. Just a reminder of why these firms are so dangerous. MS think they should be above the police. 
RE: Cloud. Things can happen suddenly. Which is why this enforcement is necessary (ofcourse MS already are ahead). Also the mainstream may not care about lag at some point. Cloud can take gaming beyond the limitations of devices. Look at how mobile devices like the Switch design are important again. Many will enjoy not worrying as much about the specs.
 
 
 

You're dead right about their attitude. Disgusting bile they're coming out with because they've been denied, threatening the UK and mouthing off against the CMA. Makes them look completely dense, in all honesty.

[Choze]

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/nils-pratley-on-finance/2023/apr/27/ignore-microsoft-whines-activision-blizzard-the-cma-did-its-job

MS are still in a very strong position no matter what.

Good to see the British press pushing back abit. The US bunch were very quiet in comparision when the FTC were attacked. 

 

Important quote:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-04-27/microsoft-xbox-chief-seeks-to-reassure-game-staff-on-activision?leadSource=uverify wall

Quote

The Xbox chief said the acquisition was intended to speed up Microsoft’s gaming plans, but doesn’t represent the entirety of the company’s gaming strategy, which would move ahead even without Activision, the person said.

 

Edited April 27 by Choze

[Jonnas]

I'm a bit late to the discussion, but I'm happy the merger has been blocked. Thing was smelly af. I don't care that they did it via cloud gaming, anti-monopoly law can be that weirdly specific.

As for the debate regarding the future of cloud gaming... I'm sure the technology will make it viable soon, but it's likely to be limited in scope regardless (beyond the obvious geographical limitations). By definition, it's going to be less reliable than an actual file/download. Anything that's fast-paced and dependant on precise controls (such as a fighting game) is likely to avoid that route, as will many things handheld/portable.

But that doesn't mean it can't be useful as its own marketplace. You can have slower games (such as turn-based strategy, farming sims, etc.) run on it without latency/slowdowns ever causing much issue, for example. I can see streaming platforms adopt videogame libraries in the near future, even (just not very well curated ones).

[Choze]

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_2705

What a terrible look for the EU.

Proud of the UK CMA here! Also happy about the US stance.

This was being used as a check by so many, to see if the EU were serious about regulating tech. Recent key appointments have been pro tech companies and now this makes for a bad look. I hope the US especially makes progress on their efforts.

The EU remedies are laughable... MS has also hired the best of the best in law firms and lawyers to appeal the CMA. I hope the decision stays.

Edited May 15 by Choze
Added better EU link for report.

[Sheikah]

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_2705
What a terrible look for the EU.
Proud of the UK CMA here! Also happy about the US stance.
This was being used as a check by so many, to see if the EU were serious about regulating tech. Recent key appointments have been pro tech companies and now this makes for a bad look. I hope the US especially makes progress on their efforts.
The EU remedies are laughable... MS has also hired the best of the best in law firms and lawyers to appeal the CMA. I hope the decision stays.

It's good that the CMA doubled down though, makes me think that they're very likely to stick to their guns.

[Choze]

On 15/05/2023 at 9:01 PM, Sheikah said:

It's good that the CMA doubled down though, makes me think that they're very likely to stick to their guns.

I sure hope so! These agencies are very weak currently. The tech companies only accept zero regulation. Lobbying has been absolutely in your face by MS. Despite daily UK headlines on sleaze!

Good stuff happening too! More awareness of tech tactics/loopholes but also conversations around harm. Tech competition often more accurately partners (MS and Nvidia gaming + AI hype, ChatGPT overlays etc.). Trillions rolling in but disproportionate Innovation burdens and costs on others. Harm being like sugar/smoking/pollution where its not so obvious (similar lobbying).