https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/6/23905946/microsoft-activision-blizzard-deal-finalization-timing-cma
Microsoft is getting ready to close its Activision Blizzard deal, with a decision from a UK regulator expected imminently.
I’m concerned with the state of consolidation in the gaming space (and just about every other market, I might add) but I also find it hard to argue they’re a monopoly. They’re number three in the console space and thanks to Proton Microsoft’s de facto stranglehold on PC gaming OS’s is weaker than ever. I could see cloud gaming being a problem in the future but it’s such a nascent market who knows what will happen there.
I think consolidation creates many issues even if it isn't a full monopoly right now. Like making it easier for that full monopoly to show up later.
thanks to Proton Microsoft’s de facto stranglehold on PC gaming OS’s is weaker than ever
Can you elaborate? I had to miss something...
Proton is the abstraction layer that Valve made to allow the steam deck to easily play games developed for windows. It’s made the moat that Microsoft has in the PC gaming space a lot more shallow. It’s based on Wine
And Proton is so good that can at times exceed the performance you can get on native windows. Mind, it is rare.
Anybody wanna speculate on how soon they will weasel out of their promise to keep releasing COD on Playstation?
This is the best summary I could come up with:
A source familiar with Microsoft’s plans tells The Verge that the company is eyeing up Friday October 13th as the closing date where it announces to the world that the 20-month process to buy Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard is over.
That date will still depend on the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority though, a regulator that blocked Microsoft’s deal earlier this year.
A final decision from the CMA is expected next week, and barring any surprise last-minute changes should allow Microsoft to close its deal.
The regulatory battles in Europe came months after the FTC initially sued to block the Activision Blizzard acquisition in the US last year.
The administrative case will commence 21 days after the Ninth Circuit rules on the FTC’s appeal, with the hearing held virtually.
The FTC could attempt to undo Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard deal, assuming it closes on time, but it would face an unprecedented uphill battle.
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