What does it mean?
But still interesting to see how diversified Microsoft is becoming. It was already pretty diverse before, but now it is even bigger.
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Sorry. I was using wrestling terminology. Basically, it means the hero/good guy of the storyline; someone the people will root for.
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God imagine if the games industry was more like wrestling. Bethesda announces Starfield, Sony is trying to get timed exclusivity and all of a sudden Microsoftâs theme music starts playing âBY GAWD, THATâS MICROSOFTâS THEME MUSIC. ITâS MICROSOFT WITH THE STEEL CHAIRâ. All Iâm saying is E3 would be a lot more fun.
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Reading the EC phases information and noticed certain term.
â The Commission keeps the merging companies informed about the progress if its analysis. Towards the end of phase I, a âSTATE-OF-PLAY meetingâ is typically held, where the Commission informs them about the results of the phase I investigation. If there are competition concerns, companies can offer remedies, which extends the phase I deadline by 10 working daysâ
Xbox to appear at a State of Play confirmed!
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State of Play
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Well
We need some Windows launch music 
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Lol!!
Yeah, this was always gonna be the outcome to expect. MS already has agreed to concessions and will happily make more if need be. The deal for ABK is not principally about Game Pass or even Xbox per se, it is about revenue streams. It was never a part of their long-term strategic growth plans for Xbox/GP until the opportunity fell in their lap. Thatâs why MS will gladly make more concessions as needed.
MS will likely end up conceding that: PSX will keep getting CoD games thru a recurring set of contracts inked every few yrs; MS will not favor Xbox in any way wrt Azure access when Sony wants to utilize that; and that Game Pass will keep its entry point pricing fixed for 5yrs or so.
And like I said, MS doesnât mind these at all as these were already things they planned to do anyhow. They want the boost to reliable cash flow ABK gives them, which can then be invested into Xbox year after year.
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ABK is the literal monkeys paw acquisition, lol.
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Not really. But depends on for whomâŚ
Ah, meant in the sense that Acquisition OT wanted acquisitions so much. And now that weâve gotten one, the fun of talking seems to have waded after a sea of bad takes.
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For some maybeâŚI feel like that deal invigorated console warring more than anything else.
https://twitter.com/DonMemesio/status/1575810355229380608
Makes sense though as ABK deal changes the timeline.
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Both of these are true IMO.
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The funniest part is that ABK was one of the acquisitions people were least enthused about before it happened.
70% of the people in here probably just want this era to end ASAP so MS can start buying more creatively rich studios again.
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Thatâs probably a factor haha.
Fwiw, I always wanted MS to nab Blizzard so I wonât say no to Activision and King tagging along. Especially because they have incredible untapped potential.
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yeahâŚno âŚthis is utter nonsense
I think people need to a reality check hereâŚthere is no case of regulators ever telling a company âyou must pay to fund something that will directly help your competitorâ
Making ports of games cost $ to make. Regulator tells Microsoft to make a version for Playstation and MS says âalright cool, you gonna foot the bill for it?â
As far as MS making a recurring set of contracts the way you word it makes it seem like MS will have to ink a contract with Sony which isnagain pretty nonsensical. They may choose to offer to regnogiate with Sony when the deal is up but they certainly arent going to be force to do so and they may very well tell Sony to fâck right off come 2027 and make COD exclusive
Again there is no instance of this ever happening in any industry. This just goes back to regulators not being there to protect Sony.
âXbox in any way wrt Azure access when Sony wants to utilize thatâ
What do these have to do with each other? Also again you realize MS doesnt have to offer Azure to Sony right? Again youâre framing this as if regulators are there to protect Sony.
Sony isnt entitled to anything youâve said so far
âand that Game Pass will keep its entry point pricing fixed for 5yrsâ
Sure, lets ignore market flucation, currency value changes, inflation
JC you cant be serious with this
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Did this already happen with microsoft in the 90s? They were required to make Word for Mac
Im sure concessions may be made but most likely is keeping COD on Playstation for the rest of the gen (which would line up Phils 3 year offer) but the idea that MS would be forced to make a new deal with Sony is crap. MS can very well make COD exclusive after their deal is up. Will they? Hard to say but clearly MS is going to monitor the landscape and make an informed decision when that time comes
Game Pass price and giving Sony access to Azure is another level of nonsense. MS doesnt have give Sony anything nor are Sony entitled to anything