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@Moonglow I think the fact you believe 3 people have blocked the deal shows how little you do know and understand. Stop taking your advice from Reddit or You Tube, God I’ve made that mistake, and Google for the actual facts.
CMA is made up of a majority of people from the regulatory body we had to have under the EU, they are expanding by around 200 people, when they review cases they have panels of experts internal AND external who review and rule on the cases in hand,

It is not 3 people, and another FYI is Microsoft’s 2 biggest markets have blocked the deal, Xbox is not very dominant across the rest of Europe, so maybe the experienced regulators who’s markets Microsoft is most prominent in blocking it should tell you something?
The EU themselves stated that the merger WOULD damage the cloud gaming market, that’s why they not MS came up with the free licenses for all games on all cloud services, which MS then spread to be global. I think the fact the EU only approved it with that clause in place should tell you something.
We shall see if the CMA is asked to review it again, if they also look at the same clause as the EU has setup, if it is workable and works in our law frame.

I suspect what you will find is IF the CAT requests the CMA to review the merger again then they may look into the same system as the EU has setup and if it covers all their concerns, OR IF the CAT accept the CMA’s decision and rule it stands, Activision Blizzard King will move any offices in the UK to the EU and sell their games and services via UK distributors, which legally has to be done before the merger completes.

Hunt hahaha, firstly Brad can apologise for his belittling childish remarks he made towards the UK when the deal was blocked.
Then Hunt will tell him give me 5 million cash and 5% stock options in Microsoft and we'll talk. Oh and stop using out loopholes to avoid taxes is another thing Hunt will probably say.

If I ever met Hunt I cannot guarantee I wouldn't smack him n his face he's such a traitorous greedy selfish sod.

@Kaloudz I think pre-merger is how I read it. It's got something to do with the additional action the CMA took which Microsoft has protested against, not sure how or to who though?

I could say more but to honest we need to see how it plays out really, even ignoring FOSS guy, need to see what the CAT does next rather then hypothesising as we all thought the CMA would pass the deal.....

Seriously just have everything crossed for a new Gears Of War game. And for the previous ones to be announced remade in Unreal Engine 5.
Indiana Jones better deliver too.

But to be honest Xbox’s first party games are in such a release mess it’s a third party machine at present. I’d just love for them to announce some actual release dates and stick to them.

@Kaloudz I should add there is a plethora of misinformation out there on the latest Bloomberg report, so many people claiming it states MS are looking at just leaving the UK market with Activision games. The report being taken totally out of context for click bait views and the masses following the same belief.

@Kaloudz I looked into it, actually it’s Activision who would need to leave. They would need to move offices to the EU and then sell COD etc by a UK distributor. Seems to be confusion over how that would work though with the CMA blocking any interest in acquisition of Activision or its subsidiaries by Microsoft.

One thing I did also learn though is the issue with the Xbox hardware, apparently the SSD is coded to the APU via a hardware key, and this key is changed with every software update, so if your SSD drive fails and cannot be copied your entire console is dead. I hope they figured a long lifespan for the drives!

@Kaloudz No, what is being said is that Microsoft are considering removing Activision games from sale in the UK to get the deal through, on all platforms. That’s the threat being made according to Bloombergs article, and I don’t appreciate that if true. Even if it’s an empty threat it’s completely unprofessional and not how a corporation should behave. It shows a bully boy immature response to a legal entity and large scale market.

@Kaloudz We will see, I've already decided though that if Microsoft pulls Activision games IE COD out of the UK market. My Series X would be on eBay faster than I can blink! I won't support that action. Not with my wallet.

@Kaloudz I think you are reading too much to the CATs remit, as others who claim to have legal training and knowledge have claimed the CAT cannot direct the path the CMA take, only pass the case back for another review and conclusion.

And whilst 3 billion is a lot of money, I really could not care if MS ends up having to pay it, why should I? I don’t work for the company. If I started to let the penalties Microsoft had to pay play on my mind I’d be a toxic game fanboy, making You Tube videos spitting pure hatred at the competition.

I saw some video with someone making three options that MS could take, and that they will just block Activision Blizzard games from sale in the UK if needed, well if that happened my Series X would be on eBay quicker then I jump when I see a spider! But I know that won’t happen as that’s a lot of money they would lose and have to explain to share holders why they should lose it, other options available that avoid that.

@themightyant I wouldn't underestimate the CMA, all the CAT can do is pass it back for review and the CMA will just block it again. Still only see tactics from a giant corporation to undermine the oppositions preparedness and avoid penalties.

@Kaloudz ?? Court cases consistently bring in third party experts, why shouldn't this be any different? It gives another persons viewpoint and strengthens your argument.

@Kaloudz Personally I couldn't care less about Microsoft's 3 billion, that's pocket change to them in this deal.
MS purely used it as a tactic to u see one the CMA's preparedness and get themselves out of being penalised in the deal.

@Kaloudz Did the lawyers of trillion and billion dollar US companies really tell a government entity to just cancel all their family holidays, all so they don't get penalised in their merger? To me that comes across as arrogant bullying. And an attempt to undermine the CMA's ability to prepare properly.
I wouldn't be applauding that tactic.

@Tharsman Yeah FIFA is an EU thing and NBA a US thing. Both owned by EA if I'm right??? Correct me if not. But they are quids in.
F1 seems to do well though too across the boarders. Probably more so in the US now it has a much bigger presence there.

@EvenStephen7 Isn't it just, lots of misconceptions about the case and what the CAT can do.

@BRT15 That’s a shame. Rather watch it for myself than watch armchair lawyer you tubers.

May be worth grabbing Dead Island 2?

All that will happen is the CAT will pass it back to the CMA who will just make the same ruling again most likely.

How can you watch the events that took place yesterday?

I dare anyone to play The Bunker, in the dark, at midnight, in a house in their own, with headphones on.....
After playing SOMA I learnt my lesson....

@Kaloudz I’d be pretty certain they knew but don’t think it’s as much of an issue as being advised. Lots of people work for other companies and move on, then if you’re in the same industry deal with previous employers later on. You could argue conflict of interest but as they are one person out off I’d imagine a number of people, not sure if that would hold any weight? Plus all parties would be required to advise any conflict of interest to all parties involved prior to working on the case in hand.

@Wheatly So all they can literally do is pass it back for re-investigation, they cannot attach any criteria to that investigation of make any judgment on it to be considered in the new investigation?

@Belkan Well Games Radar states it was ‘near perfect’ and they stated before the show that nothing Microsoft shows in June including Starfield would beat it.

@Kevw2006 I find most of the Windows Central staff enjoy making click bait conspiracy stories around this topic, they get more revenue that way.

@Wheatly What is being claimed is that the CAT will order the merger to be investigated again by the CMA, but with conditions and taking into account any judgement by the CAT, so for instance if the CAT claim the CMA were wrong about the market share we find it to actually be X Y Z, then the CMA has to investigate again taking that judgement as the rule to follow.

So the question is, can the CAT make rulings that will directly impact the CMAs decision, or can they only request the CMA investigate again but cannot make any rulings to impact the decision or investigation? You don’t seem to have cleared that up.

It was bad, in regards to Sonys studios. The majority of games shown are multi platform which for Sony and its business model is a problem. It seems to have a pretty dry time ahead for several months from its own studios.

Seriously? I wish Phil would stop congratulating everyone, especially when the majority found it to be crap. It was a very bad showcase.

@Moonglow Wrong on Unreal Engine, it existed for years before Fortnite and is a mass adopted games engine across the gaming industry and now film industry, it’ll be around and developed regardless if Fortnite exists or not.
Not so sure about the rest of your comment either?

IMO the best collection of games from the showcase and all multiplayer, now I can see them properly at proper resolutions and quality, they look good. I’ll play a few of these.

Loved the originals. Wonder how this will play though?

Xbox burned PlayStation http://twitter.com/Xbox/status/1661489113814679553

Hahahaha it’s like the ultimate copium from Sony, I think they are upset the Switch is in track to out sell the PS2 and Sony know they can’t touch it, and can’t touch Microsoft’s budget for acquisitions.

Or in other words they looked at what would net them the most money. They calculated Sonys money and then predicted later cross platform sales was the best for profits.

@BAMozzy “CoD is churned out annually and available on More Hardware to make more Money - especially with loot boxes, MTX and Season Passes.
Spider-Man is a much bigger IP across ALL media, makes a LOT more money and much more likely to bring new' gamers in to Playstation.”

You cannot include Spider Man films in your argument about a game, because in terms of revenue for games COD totally dominates Spider Man, Sony themselves have officially stated this in their argument, you have this false mindset that Sony exclusives are bigger then any other game, that’s totally wrong and ignores facts, most players play COD, Fortnite, Minecraft and FIFA. They have a PlayStation because their mates got one. The sales figures of Sonys exclusives prove that.

The majority of gamers don’t even know what the game of the year awards are, you are attempting to use a small minority as the default for the mass majority, it’s a complete lie to do so and is false, you seem to be deluded by this?

Cloud gaming has tripled in the last year in the U.K. alone, it won’t be a small market for much longer, Microsoft wouldn’t be investing money into it if it wasn’t intending to grow it.

Although I've thoroughly enjoyed Dead Space and it looks awesome! It is pretty much a carbon copy of the original bar those side missions. So it's kinda had its day I think. Think Hogwarts should be number 1 as at least it's new even if the concept isn't. And people enjoy it.

Miasma Chronicles is a must!

@101Force Yes, no one's heard of them yet they own a significant proportion of the global market. And are probably state funded. Still if no one enjoyed their games they wouldn't be so big.
Not really shocked if China approved. I think Australia will be an interesting one?

@BAMozzy Your not using that argument are you? PS has more games to entice people onto cloud? Even after Sony proved that COD makes them more money then all their exclusives combined practically. COD is several times larger then Sonys IP is.

No matter my thoughts on this, I'm just pretty concerned how it will affect me personally, as an Xbox user in the UK who likes COD, bottom line is I want to know if this ends up with COD being removed from Xbox in the UK, or if I end up paying more for Game Pass but have less games on it like other regions get, if the service gets a price increase.
So long as COD remains available in some form or another that's fine. Oh and Diablo too.

@themightyant Good information there. I didn't know that cloud gaming was growing so fast.

@themightyant Exactly, plus the CMA stated Microsoft are still dictating the terms of these 10 year contracts, so they are in full control of what games are released and when. The EU stated the merger will damage cloud gaming competition, thus forcing Microsoft to give free licensing, that wasn't Microsoft's idea.
You have to buy games on the Nvidia streaming service as you say, they offer the odd free game but they are generally very old titles.
All MS are doing is meeting their terms of the contract and trying to woo regulators. But they haven't changed anything that the CMA has issues with.

Legitimate question… WHY? I mean devs are so utterly lazy they haven’t bothered to use the full power or even feature set of the current consoles, and what are they going to charge for these more powerful machines? £550? £600? Who is going to pay that? Considering RTX 4090 can’t even run some of these games at a decent frame rate, due to incredibly poor optimisations, I think this rumour is BS or just stupid.

Been playing this quite happily on my Series X, got it through CD Keys for 45 quid I think it was.

I’m not sure if they will pull out of the UK, if they do they will literally lose the majority of Xbox console users to PlayStation IF it meant no more COD other than on PlayStation. I wouldn’t think twice about changing if it meant it was the only way to play COD and many others would feel the same I’m sure.

@FenIsMightier @BobCoffee Hence why I said ‘IF’ lol, so they were not true, makes sense, I wouldn’t have been surprised if they were giving the prices for MS licenses though haha..

Still rather listen to Nadella as he’s a level chap, doesn’t seem to publicly go off on one like others at Microsoft have. He thinks about what he says. Phil just seemed beaten and battered over it all.

@Kaloudz I played Diablo 3 quite a bit, I even had it on Switch and it had a tiny little space ship from StarCraft 2 follow you around! So cool lol. I’ve played a fair bit of Diablo Immortal too on my iPad, just because really, not spent any money on it yet though thankfully.
If Diablo 4 is on Xbox Game Pass I’ll give it a bash for sure.

I know China and a few others are left, I think I heard Australia is left too? Quite a few countries it seems are involved. But we’ve only heard the UK EU and US are the major ones.

What a shame, watched a few videos of this and they’ve all said the same thing, Windows is a mess on it, menus are tiny and the handheld experience is not very good, it doesn’t suspend properly either so the battery goes flat, looks like the Steam Deck is still the best as a handheld experience, until Microsoft release a handheld Windows which they are apparently working on.

@Kaloudz Best thing to do, I’ve seen lots of American legal experts and influencers on You Tube commenting on this and contradicting each other, so I don’t trust what any if them say at present. Best to see what happens and follow the actual process as much we can. I mean it’s going to take months now as it is… and that’s not including the FTC battle.

We will have to wait a bit longer to see if we get Diablo and COD on Game Pass my friend.

@FenIsMightier I read somewhere that the UK market is worth more than the 69 billion the deal is costing annually. Now I’m not sure if that’s in games or everything Microsoft sells and does, either way IF true they’ll have a hard time with share holders accepting them leaving that money out of their profits that’s for sure. If they pull out of one of the major premiere gaming markets on the planet, which the UK is, then share holders will be accepting giving up and handing that market over to your competitors. Would they do that? Not so sure they would.
CMA has certainly thrown a spanner in the works.

Of course he has to say this, he would be fired otherwise, share holders won’t keep any CEO who oversees a failed merger of 69 billion dollars! And it’s up to the share holders vote how this proceeds. They will need to ask them to vote on a new deal if the appeal fails in the UK or US.
I’m just glad he’s a hell of a lot more level headed in his words and speech then Lulu from Activision and Microsoft’s Brad Smith, those two have acted like spoilt entitled American tech giants throwing their toys out the pram they didn’t get their own way!

It is a case of wait and see, he will need to try and get this deal done one way or another as they committed to it. If it fails he most likely will be gone.

@Pusher2021 We know a few things now. This deal is delayed for months that’s a fact, MS have to battle the FTC as well as the CMA. And you never know the FTC may manage to kill it anyway yet although I don’t think they will.
MS are appealing the CMA and FTC.
And they I think will need the share holders to vote on a new deal, now this I think is interesting, they will want to try appeals first, but they only have till July I think with the current deal before it lapses. So how they word a new deal for the share holders will be mighty interesting, will they really want to ignore the UK market. I’ve seen lots of proposals made in posts on here people have heard, but most seem to be from Americans and some contradict others, I’m not sure they can be trusted really as US law can be quite different to UK law.
I hope MS has smarter and more grounded people then Activision Lulu and Microsoft’s Brad Smith handle the appeal!