Haven't really been following the news. So let's say MS wins the FTC trial, will that change anything or are they still fucked because of the CMA ruling in Europe?
Second-party doesn't exist really.
Woah, lots of info.
Is this implying Activision wouldn't put COD on sale on the Xbox store due to Game Pass? I don't think this is a thing. Or is it because Game Pass already gives a discount to the games price?
Big change if they win this. They go ahead and close it. Even with the CMA ruling
I wasn't highlighting the actual issues, I was explaining what I expect the testimony to sound like. What I expect to hear. The fact that Sony does this and worse is not really relevant, but I do think it's funny or noteworthy that someone from the outside the issues might think that's what it's about. Because that's gonna get a lot of attention, and it had yesterday.
No, I believe it implies people will buy less of Activision games on XBox because they would be available on gamepass
This second one is the most interesting to me. I'm trying to think of what Microsoft has been referring to, but all I can really think of is:
Windows Phone (and Zune) - Microsoft made a massive push into Mobile Phones (and MP3 Players) by using Xbox to try and force their way in. This is the last time I can rememeber Microsoft actually going all out by:
- Demanding all of their in-house studios make Mobile Games (Halo Spartan Assault, Spartan Strike, ilomilo, Crackdown, Age of Empires, ect)
- Funding/Publishing new Mobile Games and Ports from XBLA from third party and independent developers
- In some small cases, publishing or investing heavily into some smaller developers for projects
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I feel like the exact same could be said about live-service games.
Wow, shows how much that flopped, I didn't even know it existed.
You don't remember it being part of their E3 presentation?
Hey, Idas! Could you make a quick links section at the top of the OT post reserved for the things that are happening now? Providing the link for the audio hearing and the Court Listener, for example. I think you said you have put the audio link in there, but there is so much text that I didn't find it (I got it on browser history).
I think that's part of why the mobile angle in this deal is so appealing to MSFT. The mobile gaming market is huge, and the EU is now forcing mobile providers to allow side loading and bypassing the 30% revenue share to Android and Apple for native App Store sales, so it's about to be even more lucrative. Especially if other regulators follow the EU's lead on side loading.
I think the big picture idea is that if MSFT can snag some of the biggest mobile titles and put them in an Xbox storefront on mobile, then people are searching their Xbox App Store for new games, and there you're not competing with a gazillion other titles whenever users are looking for a new game. Sarah mentioned during her testimony yesterday that Xbox is striving for Ubiquity across all platforms, so I could see MSFT eventually offering a Gamepass Mobile or something for a cheap cloud gaming subscription from mobile devices. It's going to be a shit experience for a lot of games, but there are plenty of titles that play just fine on XCloud. Any turn based RPG or strategy game I think makes a ton of sense to stream on a mobile device. I'd rather play Civ 6 via the cloud than natively on mobile where it's going to tank my battery.
I low-key actually liked it, but yeah it came and went super fast.
Wow, I even played that one too. How could I have forgotten it.
I LOVED Gears POP. It was actually one of the few mobile games I genuinely enjoyed. Shame it didn't maintain a population.
Dipping back into this thread after being away for a bit.
Has anyone expanded upon what the effect of the CMA being along in their decision is? Do people think it's more likely they change their decision at review if they're the only ones blocking? Or if there some kind of pressure people are expecting them to be under.
As a UK citizen I've been under the impression that the CMA is pretty untouchable, what about this case would weaken their power to stick by their decision?
Has anyone expanded upon what the effect of the CMA being along in their decision is? Do people think it's more likely they change their decision at review if they're the only ones blocking? Or if there some kind of pressure people are expecting them to be under.
As a UK citizen I've been under the impression that the CMA is pretty untouchable, what about this case would weaken their power to stick by their decision?
Morning! Got the day off from work due to a national holiday - have my coffee and my Xbox on with Halo Infinite (Infection is so fun!) and will be scrolling this thread in between games. A great way to spend a day off while the wife is working :)
If you want a seat at the table, you should open the zoom now. It has not started yet, but it just did the thing where you sorta login.
edit: link in threadmark, or a few posts below
edit: link in threadmark, or a few posts below
AFAIK, most of the internet lawyers I'm following have confirmed that it is very likely the CMA will agree to remedies with Xbox if FTC doesn't block.
It can really go either way. If Microsoft can prove the UK truly is an island here, then it does help them. But only to the extent of comnity with other nations. That said if the CMA didn't care, they could still block it by tweaking the decision a little more to make it sound more UK Centric.
Assuming it hasn't changed, here is yesterdays link: Zoom
They're gonna put an Xbox disc into the PS5 and claim that Microsoft is being anti-competative when it doesn't work.
link can be found on this page to open the zoom meeting with the passcode. I'd bookmark it if I were you.
Comity is a grounds to say their block was irrational. They are supposed to understand their place in the international community in regards to international mergers with their findings and remedies.
If only the PS5 had the scary PS2 bad disc screen. Scare the crap outta the courtroom.
That was just a small game made by one MS dev if I recall (and not a MGS dev). He eventually left his role to focus on Wordament full time as well, and possibly built a team around it.
It's still around as well and I play it occasionally. Outside of the ads that are unfortunately part of the current mobile landscape and MS Casual Games platform, it still plays well.
Honestly? Considering some of the stuff we've seen I wouldn't be shocked lmao. "You say you should be able to play games anywhere, but what about THIS?!"
Judge about to ask why they brought a WiFi router into the courtroom.
There will be a Street Fighter 6 match between Phil Spencer and Jim Ryan, right?
I'm confident they have a Switch in their briefcase. And they are going to try some showmanship to demonstrate how different they are.
Nothing to see here, Sony just signed an exclustive marketing agreement with the FTC, and it states that they'll provide sworn statements the FTC, but only under the stipulation that his deposition was played on a PS5.
Jim doesn't want to be associated with the FTC clown show? Guess someone's had words.
The sign of great cross examination is repeating RIGHT!? CORRECT? RIGHT? CORRECT? /s
Ultimately if they're discussing confidential information, they have no way to keep it hidden without sealing that part of the session due to it just being a recording.
love you <3link can be found on this page to open the zoom meeting with the passcode. I'd bookmark it if I were you.