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The FTC Sues to Block Microsoft's Acquisition of Activision Blizzard | MMORPG.com
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The FTC Sues to Block Microsoft's Acquisition of Activision Blizzard | MMORPG.com
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has sued to block the nearly $69 billion deal that would see Microsoft acquire Activision Blizzard over claims that it would harm competition and consumer choices.
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As to the FTC... I don't think the way they are trying to argue this is legitamate. If Microsoft fights it, then all the cost just hurts consumers. The cost is passed on. If they walk away with Activision/Blizzard obviously wanting to sell and for what should be obvious reasons. Then you'll end up with the sale being to some entity that will further harm consumers.
Anti Monopoly processes in general were meant to protect consumers. Not to bend the knee to competing corporate interests. This of course is just my opinion. Oh and I certainly don't want to see those IP's/tech end up at certain destinations... one of which was already mentioned. So I guess I care a little.
Logic, my dear, merely enables one to be wrong with great authority.
I don’t think Microsoft would take CoD away from Sony, however I also think having that power is too much. Microsoft gobbling up Bethesda is already teetering on too much, this was just insane. Microsoft has over 30 studios, amazing technology, and infinite money in the games industry. Anything beyond this point is an attempt to take over the market. They do not need this deal to excel, I think it’s time for the companies to stop trying to buy the market and instead focus on what they have.
1) This doesn't mean the deal is done yet. They voted to sue. They haven't filed any paperwork or anything yet. They just said they have the intention to. Until paperwork is filed with the courts they aren't sueing yet. Also there have been other deals this has happened with and has passed after. Xbox is still free to negotiate with the FTC.
2) If they file paperwork it will be up to Microsoft to decide if they want to spend the time and money to fight the FTC. They can showboat and say whatever right now but the courts are slow, def when it comes to deals like this. So a fight would take years. No one knows how long since both sides have plenty of money and lawyers.
Source: Hoeg's law (A lawyer on Youtube who works in the video game industry and works on these type of deals).
Also been doing a lot of reading and watching a lot of videos over the last six hours with lawyers who are basically spiting these same points over and over again.
I actually laughed when Microsoft said they would not monopolize the game scene with this merger, it's like the Borg from Star Trek visiting your world and saying they won't assimilate it. While assimilating it.