So the CMA is the only holdout for MS Activision deal.....and MS is considering WITHDRAWING from UK market altogether if they don't unblock it

[Twinblade★ 3,891]

 

Wow

 

The CMA is definitely going to have to cave.

[TLHBO 2,158]

The FTC is holding out too, it will be an uphill struggle for the FTC sure because in America money talks and the corporations always win, but if the FTC blocked the buyout what would M$ do then? Pull Activision out of the US?

 

The CMA can't back down now how would that look? That if you throw a tantrum like a fat little rich kid like Brad Smith did then you will get your own way and governments and regulators will roll over for you? Throwing their authority in the gutter. If the CMA caved on this it sends the message to every mega-corp out there that their decisions are meaningless.

 

The sad thing is watching this small-dick energy balding chump act like a spoiled brat with his tweets and now threatening to pull out of the UK, he's well and truly throwing the teddy out of the cot because it's obvious he has not once in his life ever had his parents say no to him. Microsoft is a basically a south park parody of an evil mega-corp at this point, I wouldn't be surprised if we find out they're dumping toxic wastes near orphanages.

 

This says withdrawing activision but honestly I'd love it if ms themselves fucked off from the UK. All of their products are shit, real worthless, greedy, blood sucking shit. They dont care about making good products because they know they will sell regardless. I cant think of a single microsoft product thats actually good and well made.

[TLHBO 2,158]

Oh wait, he's meeting Jeremy Cunt Maybe M$ does have a chance then, this slimeball piece of shit would sell his own kids for a profit. I really can not stress juzt how much I hope all that them die in a flaming car wreck.

[Remij 4,670]

Microsoft can't decide that on their own.  Activision would have to independently move out of the UK before MS closes the deal with them.  Seems like both companies really want this deal to go through though, so anything is possible.

 

The CMA has been fucking retarded throughout this entire thing though, and letting them get away with it sets a precedent.  Their market definitions are fucked up, their math has been fucked up.  The CMA obviously coordinated with the FTC to put pressure on the EC to follow them and block the deal, which would have likely caused MS to drop out.. except the EC actually has a brain, and did their homework.  Now the CMA looks like the odd one out, and MS will destroy the FTC in court... so the pressure is folding back on them.  Not only that but MS has obviously been putting pressure on the UK government to bring attention to the CMA's incompetence...

 

MS is now hoping the pressure put on the CMA, and the approvals of the deal everywhere else, including the EU, will prompt the CMA to work with them and make a deal.  But the CMA are being stubborn about this, so we'll have to see who caves in.  After the appeal, the CMA's position could be weakened significantly if the Tribunal forces them to drop the cloud SLC.  If the CMA tries some other bullshit... then I could see MS saying "fuck you" and trying to go around them.

[Tears of the Cows 1,206]

Major TCHBFR incoming. Said it all along. 

Edited June 2, 2023 by Tears of the Cows

[Remij 4,670]

6 minutes ago, TLHBO said:

The CMA can't back down now how would that look?

 

Yes they can.  MS could give them a way to accept an expanded behavioral remedy which would allow the CMA to look like they still "won" something and that their concerns were ultimately addressed.

[TLHBO 2,158]

4 minutes ago, Remij said:

 

Yes they can.  MS could give them a way to accept an expanded behavioral remedy which would allow the CMA to look like they still "won" something and that their concerns were ultimately addressed.

Ms had a chance to offer suitable remedys, the cma rejected their pitiful offerings, and ms wasnt willing to go further.

 

So the cma blocked the deal. Now it needs an appeal. But that appeal is on procedural grounds, and then the decision goes back to the cma.

 

If the cma now has a meeting with microsoft and says they reached a compromise, that in itself is now how the cma process works, so they would already look like a laughing stock.

 

You have to be a real cocksucker to defend a greedy mega corp run by small dick brats who have been trying to stronghand an entire country.

[Remij 4,670]

Just now, TLHBO said:

Ms had a chance to offer suitable remedys, the cma rejected their pitiful offerings, and ms wasnt willing to go further.

 

So the cma blocked the deal. Now it needs an appeal. But that appeal is on procedural grounds, and then the decision goes back to the cma.

 

If the cma now has a meeting with microsoft and says they reached a compromise, that in itself is now how the cma process works, so they would already look like a laughing stock.

 

You have to be a real cocksucker to defend a greedy mega corp run by small dick brats who have been trying to stronghand an entire country.

No... absolutely not.  MS went far above and beyond what they should have needed to.  The CMA doesn't even have the right understanding of the gaming market.  Since they clearly demonstrated that they don't... literally EVERYHTING they did, was meaningless.  If you can't properly define the market you're supposed to be deciding over, then you can't make a proper decision, period.

 

And bud, sorry to break it to you... but the CMA already looks like the laughing stock  

 

I'm not defending the megacorp... the CMA just literally doesn't understand what the fuck what the market is.. and they can't just block deals without legal grounds to do so... and they don't have any here.  If they get away with this, it allows them to just block anything for any reason.. and when that happens, companies aren't going to invest in that market.

[TLHBO 2,158]

3 minutes ago, Remij said:

No... absolutely not.  MS went far above and beyond what they should have needed to.  The CMA doesn't even have the right understanding of the gaming market.  Since they clearly demonstrated that they don't... literally EVERYHTING they did, was meaningless.  If you can't properly define the market you're supposed to be deciding over, then you can't make a proper decision, period.

 

And bud, sorry to break it to you... but the CMA already looks like the laughing stock  

 

I'm not defending the megacorp... the CMA just literally doesn't understand what the fuck what the market is.. and they can't just block deals without legal grounds to do so... and they don't have any here.  If they get away with this, it allows them to just block anything for any reason.. and when that happens, companies aren't going to invest in that market.

Yeah yeah, you dont get to watch one of he most evil, greedy, anti-consumer corporations on the planet buy up the industry because they never had the talent or the know-how to make their own games, and only have fucking Forza and a dying Halo brand to show after 22 years on the market.

 

You think the cma doesnt understand the gaming market? Have you fucking looked at microsoft? You silly cunt thats why they're a global laughing stock  thats why they have no games after 20 years.

 

Microsoft does not understand gaming.

 

Microsoft can not successfully manage development studios.

 

Microsoft does not have the ability or understanding to bring a good game to fruition.

 

That evil CMA, stopping the spoiled rich kids from buying a new toy

[Remij 4,670]

4 minutes ago, TLHBO said:

Yeah yeah, you dont get to watch one of he most evil, greedy, anti-consumer corporations on the planet buy up the industry because they never had the talent or the know-how to make their own games, and only have fucking Forza and a dying Halo brand to show after 22 years on the market.

 

You think the cma doesnt understand the gaming market? Have you fucking looked at microsoft? You silly cunt thats why they're a global laughing stock  thats why they have no games after 20 years.

 

Microsoft does not understand gaming.

 

Microsoft can not successfully manage development studios.

 

Microsoft does not have the ability or understanding to bring a good game to fruition.

 

That evil CMA, stopping the spoiled rich kids from buying a new toy

Yea, there's no sense in discussing this with you.  Your feelings are WAY too involved.

[Tears of the Cows 1,206]

40 minutes ago, TLHBO said:

Yeah yeah, you dont get to watch one of he most evil, greedy, anti-consumer corporations on the planet buy up the industry because they never had the talent or the know-how to make their own games, and only have fucking Forza and a dying Halo brand to show after 22 years on the market.

 

You think the cma doesnt understand the gaming market? Have you fucking looked at microsoft? You silly cunt thats why they're a global laughing stock  thats why they have no games after 20 years.

 

Microsoft does not understand gaming.

 

Microsoft can not successfully manage development studios.

 

Microsoft does not have the ability or understanding to bring a good game to fruition.

 

That evil CMA, stopping the spoiled rich kids from buying a new toy

Every company is acquired dipshit. Outside of Nintendo, Sony and MS don’t make games. They buy studios that do. 

[-GD-X★ 7,729]

I would actually like to see MS destroy Call of Dookie. 

[MalaXmaS 646]

There is a lot of money at stake and the CMA hold-out is cockblocking it like Playstation Tablet cockblocks himself everytime she brings a girl home and his PS collection is staring at her.

[jehurey 3,227]

There is no way Microsoft is pulling out of the UK.

 

They are EASILY bluffing.

 

You are talking about a company that sells software services for ENTIRE FUCKING NATION GOVERNMENTS. ENTIRE GOVERMENT SYSTEMS

 

What Microsoft is threatening could be, and would be, considered a national security threat to the UK, if they are threatening to pull their services ENTIRELY out of the country.

 

The UK would move to takeover and nationalize all Microsoft owned facilities and assets in the UK. They would basically say that they have no choice but to take over Microsoft's entire proprietary code and services, because national security requires that the UK not be disrupted on such a level.

 

From that point forward, Microsoft basically fucks themselves with every other nation government, and their services cannot be trusted. Not to mention so many government systems require alot of the same computing platforms and services for them to work with one another.

 

The rest of the EU would probably start talking with the UK to think about transitioning to another provider.

 

Microsoft is not going to come CLOSE to being that stupid.

[Remij 4,670]

4 minutes ago, jehurey said:

There is no way Microsoft is pulling out of the UK.

 

They are EASILY bluffing.

 

You are talking about a company that sells software services for ENTIRE FUCKING NATION GOVERNMENTS. ENTIRE GOVERMENT SYSTEMS

 

What Microsoft is threatening could be, and would be, considered a national security threat to the UK, if they are threatening to pull their services ENTIRELY out of the country.

 

The UK would move to takeover and nationalize all Microsoft owned facilities and assets in the UK. They would basically say that they have no choice but to take over Microsoft's entire proprietary code and services, because national security requires that the UK not be disrupted on such a level.

 

From that point forward, Microsoft basically fucks themselves with every other nation government, and their services cannot be trusted. Not to mention so many government systems require alot of the same computing platforms and services for them to work with one another.

 

The rest of the EU would probably start talking with the UK to think about transitioning to another provider.

 

Microsoft is not going to come CLOSE to being that stupid.

Activision would move out independently first, before completing the merger.  MS could then close the deal and sell Activision games in the UK through a distributor.

Edited June 2, 2023 by Remij

[jehurey 3,227]

1 minute ago, Remij said:

Activision would move out independently first, before completing the merger.  MS could then close the deal and sell Activision games in the UK through a distributor.

I believe one of the key consequences of the CMA decision is that it basically forbids MS and Activision from having any kind of deal.

 

I don't know what you mean "through a distributor" unless Activision basically closes shop entirely, and they open up a new subsidiary under a different name. Maybe not even a subsidary, it would have to be a completely new independent company.

 

None of that is happening before the mandatory $3 billion dollar payment becomes due.

[lynux3 2,049]

ALLOW IT OR I'M LEABING!!11 

 

 

[Remij 4,670]

On 2023-06-02 at 6:12 PM, jehurey said:

I believe one of the key consequences of the CMA decision is that it basically forbids MS and Activision from having any kind of deal.

 

I don't know what you mean "through a distributor" unless Activision basically closes shop entirely, and they open up a new subsidiary under a different name. Maybe not even a subsidary, it would have to be a completely new independent company.

 

None of that is happening before the mandatory $3 billion dollar payment becomes due. 

It does forbid them to acquire or buy stake in the company.  The law also requires companies to continue to act completely independent right up until completion of a potential merger.  So for MS to do any of this, Activision would have to independently withdraw from the UK and set up shop in the EU... and they could still distribute their games to the UK through an independent company which would import them.  MS could complete the merger as Activision would no longer be doing business in the UK, and UK gamers could still have access to Activision games.  The catch to it, is that there could be no Activision games on GamePass or any Cloud based services in the UK.. and all of Activision's studios would have to leave the UK and set up shop in the EU.  MS could then complete the merger could still do GamePass and Cloud for their games everywhere else.

 

Microsoft is NOT going to just roll over and allow the CMA to be the only hold out and prevent this deal from happening worldwide.  It would be irrational for the CMA to be able to block every merger world wide at their own whim when all other jurisdictions agree to it.  That would set a bad precedent especially considering both the CMA and FTC are under investigation for their behavior.

 

Obviously, Microsoft would prefer to work out a deal with the CMA which allows them do "Activision business" directly in the UK and allow Acti/Blizz games on Gamepass and Cloud there... and the only road to that happening is for the CAT to dismiss the CMA's Cloud SLC as irrational due to a complete misunderstanding of the cloud market.. then for it to go back to the CMA and them not being able to use the same argument.  MS could then address any remaining concerns to give the CMA some sort of win.  MS is probably hoping that the pressure from the UK government, the CAT, and other jurisdictions accepting the deal, allows them to work out a deal... but the CMA seems stubborn on this and I don't think it's going to happen. 

 

So what MS will do after that is anyone's guess... but Microsoft absolutely will not do anything which forces MS themselves to abandon the UK market.  That's just not going to happen.  Like you said they have tons of business there, and are essential to UKs national security.. abandoning that market in total would destroy MS credibility and ability to do business everywhere else.  But, assuming they CAN find a way so that only Activision/Blizzard games can't be sold there.. it seems like both Activision and MS really REALLY want this deal to go through and Microsoft definitely feels like allowing this deal to slip through would be a mistake.. so it will be very entertaining to see how far they're willing to go for it.

 

And currently Activision and MS have agreed extended the deadline to the point where the CAT hearing can be decided.. after that, they'll have to pay.

Edited June 4, 2023 by Remij

[Remij 4,670]

Ironically Sony just played down the threat of cloud gaming to their console business to the Financial Times lmao

 

https://www.ft.com/content/4b410761-78d8-4bec-a48b-79f1373d42e1

 

 

I would not be surprised to see MS bring this up at some point as well.  It further cements the complete misunderstanding of the cloud gaming market by the CMA.

[TLHBO 2,158]

The CMA did not misunderstand anything, stop parroting Microsoft propaganda.

 

1 hour ago, Remij said:

It would be irrational for the CMA to be able to block every merger world wide at their own whim when all other jurisdictions agree to it. 

"If you repeat a lie enough times it becomes true" - Microsoft fanboys.

 

The FTC dud not agree to it either. Whether they can block it or not is irrelevant, the fact is they didn't agree and they said it was bad for the industry. Just because in America money talks more than anything else it does not mean the FTC approves od this deal.

 

Secondly the CMA can not block worldwide. They can block in the UK, if Microsoft doesn't like it then they can leave the UK and the CMA has no effect. Xbox retards are throwing a hissy fit because they think a multi-trillion dollar corporation should be able to ignore a country's regulator AND still be able to do business in that country. Spoilt brats who have never been told no.

 

Maybe they shouldnt have put CMA approval as one od the stipulations in their fucking contract if they have so many issues with them.

 

I hope the worst for Brad Smith. I've never seen such small dick energy, he looks like the kind of guy who would short change child cancer patients if he thought he could get away with it.