Hilariously, since they got called out with Microsoft the CMA has let pass through much more questionable acquisitions, with much more broader implications than their crazy pie in the sky theories about Cloud Gaming.
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Hilariously, since they got called out with Microsoft the CMA has let pass through much more questionable acquisitions, with much more broader implications than their crazy pie in the sky theories about Cloud Gaming.
So, when are going to expect an answer from the CMA? I heard it's by the end of this month. if the CMA approves, MS can close the deal, or are they waiting for China? Or did China approve it already?
De fanged finally. I just hope they competent leadership in over there
China approved it. It's only the UK and Australia still without a decision and it's reported that Australia is waiting for the CMA to make a move. As an Australian really hope they don't try and force some bs Australian rights sale or something but I don't think we have enough political power even if we tried
Ah ok. I didn't know China approved it. So, we will have the CMA final update by the end of this month correct?
Yeah, at this point it's basically UK vs the World...
Well, technically there is also Australia which is just hanging out in in the back of the room not sure where they stand. But they're not a required party for the merger and if they get an approval from the CMA they'll just close over Australia.
I don't think they're very angry; they haven't In-housed any of their prior co dev outsourcing type groups, and they did not strike a publishing deal for the next Tomb Raider or the next Eidos Montreal game after the sale. So I don't see a lot of indication that they would have definitely purchased them otherwise.
I feel like CD / Eidos Montreal / Tomb Raider would have been absolutely perfect for Xbox.
Two AAA studios and a Hall of Fame IP is exactly the kind of stuff MS needs in order to keep the content mill churning in support of Game Pass.
I still think MS get those studios and IP not long after ABK is done. We know Embracer are in dire straits
I am not commenting on whether I think it's good/bad or beneficial for MS, just that (as far as we can ever get insight into their strategy) I don't think it was in line with what they typically do.
The documents that came out in this thread about Microsoft's 2021 acquisition strategy were illuminating, imo. In the short list of 17 companies, they did not include any of their outsourcing partners who existed at that time (e.g. Skybox Labs, Certain Affinity). The analogy isn't perfect, because Eidos owns a decent chunk of IP and game licences unlike most, but what's why I was also mentioning that Microsoft didn't do other things they definitely could have, like securing publishing rights on their future games.
The other thing the documents from the ABK court cases do give us is insight into what strategic priorities they had, and I definitely think you can make a case that even if ABK had closed in time for them to pick up Eidos without interfering, that ABK covers off the areas of strategic deficit that they identified in those 2021 documents, which were:
And the following recommendations were made with respect to these gaps:
I don't want to say "I definitely think they would never have considered it / thought it was a bad opportunity". You could make a case that compared to many of the the 2021 short list candidates, Eidos/Crystal were a good opportunity. But I do want to say that the strategic rationales they laid out here are thoroughly satisfied by ABK.
We're moving at the speed of Bureaucracy! And our temperature sits at a Government mandated 18°C.
Haha. Excellent. But still expected to pass the CMA with them back at the table?
MS submits new proposal; CMA opens new review process, deadline is October 18th
what???????????? I can't put the source as it's banned here:
The
@CMAgovUK
has just announced that it is now investigating a new #Microsoft-#ActivisionBlizzard relevant merger situation: it involves a divestiture of streaming rights. The new investigation was launched today and the Phase 1 decision has an October 18 deadline.
As I understand an extension will be needed anyway, as October 18th is just the end of pahse 1 and the end of he actual agreement, right?
The
@CMAgovUK
has just announced that it is now investigating a new #Microsoft-#ActivisionBlizzard relevant merger situation: it involves a divestiture of streaming rights. The new investigation was launched today and the Phase 1 decision has an October 18 deadline.
As I understand an extension will be needed anyway, as October 18th is just the end of pahse 1 and the end of he actual agreement, right?
Huh, Ive only been loosely following this. Was Ubisoft always in the cards? I guess I wasn't expecting something like this.
CMA opens new review process: deadline is October 18th
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).
No, no one expected it was going to be ubisoft.
However this only includes ABK games current and released over the next 15 years.
UK only.
Edit: It seems the new merger proposal gives up the cloud rights everywhere excelt the European Union, it seems the CMA managed to make it worse for evreyone else, not only the UK, except the European Union.
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Response from ABK about the new proposal to the CMA
Wow that seems like pretty massive news that Ubisoft will get to control the streaming rights. I don't see how the CMA can say no to that. I mean I wouldn't rule it out, but surely that solves all their issues?
i hope the CMA concession MS makes is putting starfield on geforce now so we don't have to use their awful ass barely functional xcloud bullshit to stream it
I think that depends on whether or not they move to phase 2 or clear in phase 1 under the new agreement.
MS divesting ABK cloud gaming rights to Ubisoft
I suppose we can assume that what Microsoft was offering wasn't enough, and that's why they made this last offer. It would seem strange if this divestiture was the one they were discussing, and it was only submitted today, right? Also, I can't see how the end of phase 1 on October 18th aligns with the timeline of the agreement between Microsoft and ABK. This all sounds strange to me.
It seems the new merger proposal gives up the cloud rights everywhere excelt the European Union, it seems the CMA managed to make it worse for evreyone else, not only the UK, except the European Union.
I don't think Microsoft is handing over cloud streaming rights to Ubisoft worldwide here… why would they? They would be eliminating this feature for Gamepass users worldwide when the deal closes.
Unless… Ubisoft Plus comes to Gamepass?!
