They'll have an extra option regarding which service to use to play their ActiBlizz games.
I'm not sure how this differs from what MS already promised, except for the "in perpetuity" part, which was 10 years previously (worldwide).
They'll have an extra option regarding which service to use to play their ActiBlizz games.
I'm not sure how this differs from what MS already promised, except for the "in perpetuity" part, which was 10 years previously (worldwide).
The deadline may be October, but they don't have to wait until then, I suppose. The CMA seemed to be willing to fast-track this new investigation if Microsoft presented a new deal that assuaged their concerns back when both parties requested the CAT to suspend the appeal.
The Ubisoft press release:
Yes, you read that headline right.
Ubisoft today announced the signing of an agreement which will give Ubisoft cloud streaming rights to games like Call of Duty and more, coming into effect upon the completion of Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The agreement includes the complete slate of current Activision Blizzard games, as well as all their new titles launching in the 15 years after the closing of Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The games will land on Ubisoft+, while also allowing Ubisoft to license them to cloud gaming companies, service providers, and console makers.
With a single subscription to Ubisoft+ Multi Access, players will soon be able to play their favorite Ubisoft and Activision Blizzard games across multiple platforms including PC, Xbox consoles and Amazon Luna, and on the PlayStation platform through Ubisoft+ Classics. The agreement will offer players even greater access to a large library of beloved and classic titles as well as the newest releases, all through cloud streaming.
Cloud gaming allows a wide range of content to be accessed on a multitude of devices, giving players even more ways to play on a broader range of hardware with fewer barriers. "We're dedicated to delivering amazing experiences to our players wherever they choose to play," said Chris Early, Senior Vice President, Strategic Partnerships and Business Development, Ubisoft. "Over the past 15 years we've built and honed our online services and distribution ecosystem into one of the most complete in the industry. Today's deal gives players even more opportunities to access and enjoy some of the biggest brands in gaming."
Ubisoft will announce more about how and when Activision Blizzard titles will be added to Ubisoft+ and other cloud gaming platforms in the future. In the meantime, discover what's available with Ubisoft+ and stay tuned to the Ubisoft News homepage for more news and updates.
Activision Blizzard Games Coming To Ubisoft+
Daniel O'ConnorYes, you read that headline right.
Ubisoft today announced the signing of an agreement which will give Ubisoft cloud streaming rights to games like Call of Duty and more, coming into effect upon the completion of Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The agreement includes the complete slate of current Activision Blizzard games, as well as all their new titles launching in the 15 years after the closing of Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The games will land on Ubisoft+, while also allowing Ubisoft to license them to cloud gaming companies, service providers, and console makers.
With a single subscription to Ubisoft+ Multi Access, players will soon be able to play their favorite Ubisoft and Activision Blizzard games across multiple platforms including PC, Xbox consoles and Amazon Luna, and on the PlayStation platform through Ubisoft+ Classics. The agreement will offer players even greater access to a large library of beloved and classic titles as well as the newest releases, all through cloud streaming.
Cloud gaming allows a wide range of content to be accessed on a multitude of devices, giving players even more ways to play on a broader range of hardware with fewer barriers. "We're dedicated to delivering amazing experiences to our players wherever they choose to play," said Chris Early, Senior Vice President, Strategic Partnerships and Business Development, Ubisoft. "Over the past 15 years we've built and honed our online services and distribution ecosystem into one of the most complete in the industry. Today's deal gives players even more opportunities to access and enjoy some of the biggest brands in gaming."
Ubisoft will announce more about how and when Activision Blizzard titles will be added to Ubisoft+ and other cloud gaming platforms in the future. In the meantime, discover what's available with Ubisoft+ and stay tuned to the Ubisoft News homepage for more news and updates.
Doesn't this screw UK gamers lol. Now they have to subscribe to Ubisoft+ to stream Activision games instead of just game pass.
How is not different? They're selling the streaming rights for ABK games to Ubisoft and anyone who wants to stream them, including MS themselves, will have to make a deal with Ubi.
This is a concession unlike any other they've presented…
As I see it, now, if the CMA wants to block this deal, they don't necessarily have to reach a final decision. They simply need to indicate that they require a phase 2 review, and the deal is likely to collapse.
They can be streamed on GamePass still. Microsoft just has to pay Ubisoft for the rights, which is hilarious.
Nice article by Tom Warren.
Some snips below.
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www.theverge.com
Some snips below.
Microsoft to sell off Activision cloud gaming rights to Ubisoft in bid for UK approval
A big change to Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard acquisition.
www.theverge.com
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Ah gotcha that is dumb as hell wtf lmao. This whole thing is so weird.
This isn't just for UK. None of the press releases say it's just for UK.
It's world wide. End of story.
But this is just streaming. Has nothing to do with downloadables.
It's world wide. End of story.
But this is just streaming. Has nothing to do with downloadables.
As I understand if MS want to put this games on the cloud they need to pay Ubisoft to do it
Thanks for the clarification, but what makes you think so? I'm not seeing any exceptions like EU listed anywhere?
GamePass is not cloud. This deal is streaming only.
GamePass is not streaming. xCloud is streaming.
So there's a strong chance that Crash 5 will not be on PS5 natively, but PS5 players can still stream it through UbiSoft+?
From the XBox OT concerning global or non global rights….
It's from one of the press releases…
It's from one of the press releases…
The agreement will enable Ubisoft to innovate and encourage different business models in the licensing and pricing of these games on cloud streaming services worldwide.
From the MS blog
(https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2023/08/21/microsoft-activision-restructure-acquisition/)
Microsoft Corporation (Microsoft) and Activision Blizzard, Inc. (Activision) have notified to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) an acquisition by which Microsoft will acquire Activision, excluding Activision's cloud streaming rights outside of the European Economic Area (EEA). As part of the proposed acquisition, Activision's global cloud streaming rights (excluding the EEA) for all current and future Activision PC and console games released during the next 15 years will be divested to Ubisoft Entertainment SA (Ubisoft).
yes, that's why I was saying "if they want to put these games on the cloud". I wasn't talking about gamepass
The CMA is investigating the anticipated acquisition by Microsoft Corporation of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (excluding Activision Blizzard, Inc.'s non-EEA cloud streaming rights).
Microsoft / Activision Blizzard (ex-cloud streaming rights) merger inquiry
The CMA investigated the anticipated acquisition by Microsoft Corporation of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (excluding Activision Blizzard, Inc.’s non-EEA cloud streaming rights).
Ubisoft essentially owns the rights to cloud versions of the games. They can still come to Xbox cloud gaming, as long as Microsoft agrees a price for that with Ubisoft and pays that amount.
Microsoft can buy the cloud rights for these games for Ubisoft, they just can't be exclusive.
Yes - whether you'll be able to play new MS / ABK games through it depends on whether MS agrees a deal for those with Ubisoft, though. I would imagine they will do.
So what about those deals already signed with Nvidia and Boosteroid? Will those companies still get ABK games or will they now have to negotiate with Ubisoft?
I'd read a book about this entire deal.
Edit: or at the very least gimme a docu
I think MS decide what they license to Ubi don't they in terms of games?
No, the streaming rights for every ABK game released currently and for the next 15 years remain with Ubisoft forever. For games released after the 15 years have passed the rights belong to Microsoft.
Yeah so reading what the CMA have said, Microsoft tried to argue that the original order was pointless now in the face of the agreement with Sony as well as the European Commission but the CMA have basically said no, it doesn't help our concerns with the cloud.
The CMA have issued a worldwide banning order on the merger based on that original proposal, which is just regulatory procedure but I've seen he-who-shall-not-be-named cry about it on X, which is dumb as fuck.
The new deal with Ubisoft, which the head of the CMA calls Microsoft's rival, is 15 years and is worldwide with the exception of the EU (because of previously mentioned commitments there) and the idea is that Ubisoft have the ability to reach more people including non-Windows computers.
The head of the CMA is also calling it a substantially different deal, which i think was required by the Tribunal in order to go ahead without them. And just in case you thought the CMA was being too kind:
I'll put my British hat on for a second here and say that the only way this gets rejected is if the 15 years isn't long enough or if they're not happy it isn't being done via a British company.
People spoke about EE/BT before but I've argued they don't have the service set up to just take on Cloud like that. They have the infrastructure but there is no cloud gaming platform and I would have seen it by now as I'm a customer.
I think this is a good step for all involved.
The CMA issuing the final order makes them look like a strong regulatory body but we'll see now how they react to the new deal.
The CMA have issued a worldwide banning order on the merger based on that original proposal, which is just regulatory procedure but I've seen he-who-shall-not-be-named cry about it on X, which is dumb as fuck.
The new deal with Ubisoft, which the head of the CMA calls Microsoft's rival, is 15 years and is worldwide with the exception of the EU (because of previously mentioned commitments there) and the idea is that Ubisoft have the ability to reach more people including non-Windows computers.
The head of the CMA is also calling it a substantially different deal, which i think was required by the Tribunal in order to go ahead without them. And just in case you thought the CMA was being too kind:
I'll put my British hat on for a second here and say that the only way this gets rejected is if the 15 years isn't long enough or if they're not happy it isn't being done via a British company.
People spoke about EE/BT before but I've argued they don't have the service set up to just take on Cloud like that. They have the infrastructure but there is no cloud gaming platform and I would have seen it by now as I'm a customer.
I think this is a good step for all involved.
The CMA issuing the final order makes them look like a strong regulatory body but we'll see now how they react to the new deal.