Remember the big news back in January that Microsoft was acquiring Activision Blizzard? Well, the FTC aren't happy about it and are trying to block it.
In a statement the FTC said "The Federal Trade Commission is seeking to block technology giant Microsoft Corp. from acquiring leading video game developer Activision Blizzard, Inc. and its blockbuster gaming franchises such as Call of Duty, alleging that the $69 billion deal, Microsoft’s largest ever and the largest ever in the video gaming industry, would enable Microsoft to suppress competitors to its Xbox gaming consoles and its rapidly growing subscription content and cloud-gaming business.".
The whole deal has been alarming in some ways, because of the constant increasing amount of developers and publishers being swallowed up by bigger companies. This consolidation of power is never a good thing for consumers as a whole. It's not just a Microsoft problem, it's an industry problem. Take Embracer for example, they own or control around 850 franchises and 132 development studios.
What do you think about this news? Let us know in the comments.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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The comments on this article are closed.
I have more faith in the EU regulators than the FTC. The FTC (like Brazil and Microsoft fanboys) are only really considering Call Of Duty, and the effect that might have on Sony. The EU complaint is (correctly) looking at how this deal is intended to get Microsoft a tighter grip on the Windows ecosystem with the Windows Store and Game Pass, leveraging that to get their Windows Store on Android and iOS, and getting a stranglehold on the game streaming market. Sony is small beans: Microsoft could buy all of Sony Group (PlayStation, phones, TVs, record labels, film studios, and all) with just their cash on hand, just like they're doing with ABK. it's not Xbox money they're using.
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I don’t play any of these games. Buy it or don’t I have strong faith in the smaller scene to produce wonderful games beyond this sale.
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ElamanOpiskelija Dec 12, 2022
Our thoughts are with you, Microsoft and Activision Blizzard, in these trying times. Please allow these humble indie developers to make a dollar, and freely acquire each other. Let us give the little man a chance.
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StalePopcorn Dec 12, 2022
Quoting: massatt212i dont like it, they should allow Microsoft to acquire Activision, Sony is steady buying up single studios and everyone is worshipping it, now Microsoft wants to compete its a problem, its so weird, i believe Blizzard will be in better hands with Microsoft compare to Activision.…and when Microsoft buys Sony?
Everyone saying microsoft if a Terrible company, just remember what Micheal Jackson said about sony, they both are bad.
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Quoting: massatt212i dont like it, they should allow Microsoft to acquire Activision, Sony is steady buying up single studios and everyone is worshipping itI must have missed the existence of Sony churches. Really, I've never heard anyone say much good about Sony . . . does that actually happen?
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It might actually get blocked. US lawmakers have been smarting over the problems caused by big tech monopolies like Google, Facebook and Twitter (well, that last seems to be solving itself in a sense), but too many of them are in their pockets to do anything about it. But even the ones who won't do anything 'cause they're being paid off are kind of miffed about the headaches. So, if they see a chance to head off a big tech monopoly before it happens, they might just be in a mood to do it, if only so they can say "Look, we did that! Pay no attention to the more important stuff we're going to continue not doing!"
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Kimyrielle Dec 12, 2022
The industry is so concentrated already, that ANY further merger needs to be blocked. Go, FTC!
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junibegood Dec 12, 2022
Quoting: Purple Library GuyI must have missed the existence of Sony churches. Really, I've never heard anyone say much good about Sony . . . does that actually happen?
I used to play two MMORPGs owned by Sony. The closest thing I've seen to a church back then was a forum created by people banned from the official Sony forum, either because they said how much they loved Sony a little too loud or because they were aggressive jerks who couldn't follow the forum's code of conduct.
If anything, it was a satanic cult.
Back on topic : although the news seem promising, I don't think stopping Microsoft from buying Blizzard now will prevent someone else to buy it later, and the concentration of power in general. I hope I'm wrong and it's a first step in the right direction.
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Quoting: junibegoodalthough the news seem promising, I don't think stopping Microsoft from buying Blizzard now will prevent someone else to buy it later,This deal is for $69 billion. The largest acquisition there's ever been in the games industry was Take Two buying Zynga for $12.7 billion. No other games company could afford to buy ABK. Only a tech platforms company like Microsoft, Google or Apple.
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Quoting: Purple Library GuyQuoting: massatt212i dont like it, they should allow Microsoft to acquire Activision, Sony is steady buying up single studios and everyone is worshipping itI must have missed the existence of Sony churches. Really, I've never heard anyone say much good about Sony . . . does that actually happen?
Quoting: massatt212i dont like it, they should allow Microsoft to acquire Activision, Sony is steady buying up single studios and everyone is worshipping it, now Microsoft wants to compete its a problem, its so weird, i believe Blizzard will be in better hands with Microsoft compare to Activision.
Everyone saying microsoft if a Terrible company, just remember what Micheal Jackson said about sony, they both are bad.
This is not about which company is good or bad, this is about a merger having the potential to create a monopoly or a near monopoly in the market. So it also have zero to do with the amount of studios being bought (still MS have bought up more studios then Sony), instead it have to do with the huge size of Activision Blizzard, that is the single thing that activated FTC and why they are trying to block it. It's the size, nothing more.
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