Judge shoots down FTC attempt to stall Microsoft-Activision merger

The FTC's attempt to stall a merger between Microsoft and gaming behemoth Activision-Blizzard has been struck down by a US federal judge, who is unconvinced the mega-acquisition would harm competition. In a ruling issued today, northern California's Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley denied a temporary injunction sought by the FTC …

[druck]

Is the judge blind...

...to 40 years of clearly documented Microsoft behaviour? A convicted serial monopolist that has broken every remedial agreement, has put dozens of companies out of business, and just buys it way out of wrong doing by paying up $billions in fines, and carries on the same.

[Yet Another Anonymous coward]

Re: Is the judge blind...

>Is the judge blind...

I hope not, US $ bills don't have any features to assist the ocularly challenged.

So I hope they didn't incentivise him with a brown envelope full of single bills

[Michael Wojcik]

Re: Is the judge blind...

I hope they didn't incentivise him

Her. As the article notes, and a quick bit of research could have confirmed.

Corley is pretty highly regarded. I find this decision rather surprising, to be honest. "Yes, the bear has a history of mauling hikers, but has promised not to maul this particular hiker for at least 10 years." But I haven't read the (redacted) opinion, just the summary in the article.

(Of course, Corley clerked for Keeton, who is famous for various things; but among them is coming to the wrong decision – twice – in Lotus v. Borland, which had to be reversed by the Supreme Court.)

[firewuf]

Re: Is the judge blind...

Maybe it has something to do with the judge's son working for Microsoft?

https://www.thebignewsletter.com/p/will-the-biggest-tech-merger-of-all

[druck]

Re: Is the judge blind...

How is that not a conflict of interest that should have caused the judge to recluse herself?

[Boris the Cockroach]

Nowt changes

Quote

""Microsoft's acquisition of Activision has been described as the largest in tech history. It deserves scrutiny. That scrutiny has paid off: Microsoft has committed in writing, in public, and in court to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation for 10 years on parity with Xbox,"

Microsoft promised it wouldn't do that, such as by vowing to keep Call of Duty available on rival Sony's PlayStation line, and the judge bought it."

In other news the judge bought a bridge I had on sale

[Howard Sway]

an agreement in Britain is looking more and more likely

So the US and EU started action against the merger, and Britain said "gosh, we want to block it too!".

Then the US and EU dropped their actions , and Britain said "gosh, we want don't want to block it either!".

World leading.

[imanidiot]

Size alone should block this

Just size and market share of these players alone should be enough to block this merger. Even if Microsoft keeps it's pinky promises (likely made with crossed fingers. And being made available isn't the same as performing the same) I don't see how this merger would benefit the end consumer in any way, shape or form. Or even how things would stay the same as they are now. This will, in the long run, be detrimental for basically everyone except the higher ups at ActiBlizKing and Microsoft.

[Zippy´s Sausage Factory]

Re: Size alone should block this

That's exactly what Microsoft want, of course. Naturally they'll come up with a reason why Activision games can't work on the PlayStation within minutes of the takeover, and at that point htey'll pull the "Activision is too deeply embedded into Microsoft to spin off" defence (like Faceb**k did with WhatsApp and Instagram).

The big losers here are everyone that likes the Call of Duty series and everyone who refuses to buy an Xbox.

Surely the judge must have noticed the "we can spend Sony into oblivion*" email?

* words to that effect, probably.

[MJI]

Fuc.k Activision

What about Arkane and Bethesda and the cancelling of already in progress Playstation versions?

Judge is either ignorant, paid off, or family connections.

MS cannot be trusted

[MJI]

Re: Fuc.k Activision

Hmm Phil, bog off back to C4 and look at houses with Kirsty please.

[RAMChYLD]

Re: Fuc.k Activision

The third one.

https://www.thebignewsletter.com/p/will-the-biggest-tech-merger-of-all

Conflict of Interest ahoy.

[Jou (Mxyzptlk)]

Brexit may be cheaper for MS

If they don't make it by the deadline of 18th July it might be cheaper to brexit. Refunding the money for affected games bought in Britain might be cheaper than staring the world wide process over again.

So, less than six days left. I suspect Britain will agree before getting locked out - again.

[MJI]

Re: Brexit may be cheaper for MS

Arkane pulled, Bethesda pulled, does anyone care about COD?

That said 2 console generations ago COD players invaded a FPS I used to play, they could not hack a slow tactical FPS.

Not getting a dirctXBOX as I still have it in for MS after causing me tons of extra work, and slowing our main software down, (RIP Netware)

[Plest]

Get stuffed both of you!

Sorry but call me an arse but are you seriously telling me that as a consumer I will be better off with one huge company ruling the market? I rarely buy any triple-A titles these days 'cos they're all fricking shite ( exhibit A - Redfall / exhibit B - Golum / exhibit C - Battlefield 2042 ) , I prefer to support smaller indy companies who's devs and artists actually give a crap about making good games not just emptying my pockets with constant DLCs, season passes and loot boxes!

MS, EA and Ubisoft can all go jump in a lake, they're all full of shite, run by MBAs and PR droids with "profit at all cost" mantra.

[MJI]

Re: Get stuffed both of you!

I bought an AAA game in a sale late last year £25, 200 hours of fun, huge studio, was orignal. Gave up waiting for a PS5 (orignal no purchase reason), so got PS4 version.

Looks amazing even on a 10 year old console.

Horizon : Forbidden West.

Very difficult explaining without spoiling but near end a great alternative to fast travel. They actually made a game to have fun in and delight the player.

[WP7Mango]

Re: Get stuffed both of you!

OK, I'll call you an arse, as requested.

You can still support your preferred smaller indy companies if you wish. Don't forget, at some point in the past, the big guys were start-up indy companies too.

[MJI]

Re: Get stuffed both of you!

>> the big guys were start-up indy companies too

Lots of first party Sony studios started like this, eg Naughty Fog

[MJI]

Re: Get stuffed both of you!

Dog of course f is next to D

[Brian 3]

Re: Get stuffed both of you!

Agreed. I bought one of the assassin's games on steam a few years ago, and didn't have enough rig to run it. 18 months and an upgrade later, I tried to run it and it demanded I create a separate ubisoft account to play the game. They've lost my business forever.