Then warn Sony and Nintendo as well since they are literally blaming Microsoft for exactly what they themselves are doing now.

Either allow Microsoft to buy Blizzard (which would be a good thing for consumers) and currently follows the general status quo. Or you stop the deal and tell Sony and Nintendo that they can't keep making exclusives at the level they are doing now.

I don't see how people can't see these facts. Put WoW on game pass and everyone wins.

Nintendo arguably has the greatest lawyers on the planet. Imagine how much they would flip if they had to put a Mario entry on a Sony or Microsoft device.

By that judgment, imagine how slick Mario's overalls would become due to higher end hardware.

Yeah cause everyone wants to play Warcraft.

I'm not saying everyone does, but a good number would prefer that than a monthly sub.

How is this good for consumers? You’re being intellectually dishonest. Developing an exclusive is different than acquiring IP that is heavily featured and embraced on multiple platforms and making it exclusive. Nintendo doesn’t do that type of M&A. And Sony has generally been playing follow the leader with Microsoft in this regard.

There's plenty of games that are exclusive but are not first party. Actually, that's the vast majority of platform exclusives.

Third party exclusives are not at issue here. Those are negotiated at arm's length. The issue is first party exclusives which certain Activision titles will become if Microsoft acquires the company.

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Oh look, a guy that calls himself "Baron" has a problem with government. If the government wants to interfere with billion dollar companies let them make decisions that actually impact consumers. Like standardizing chargers or making internet a utility. Fuck off with your I'm a capitalist...when it's convenient for my argument BS.

And what would you propose? A "free" game with paid DLC? No thanks. My argument is that if Microsoft has the resources and the inclination to provide a service, and if they are going to be responsible and decent and pay their employees then by all means let them. Blizzard has obviously failed to do so themselves. But yeah, I haven't put any thought into it because it's a video game.

after hearing about sony going out of their way to make publishers sign xbox exclusion contracts I hope it bites them in the ass once microsoft owns call of duty

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"You better not fuck up Diablo IV. This is a warning Microsoft."

Microsoft and Sony has more money than Nintendo. I’m sure their lawyers is better.

Theres a reason all content creators are afraid of Nintendo, not to mention other companies.

You can't even cover the content without fear of litigation.

Apple, Nintendo, LucasArts always was known to have a fleet of lawyers in retainer for any small to large reason.

No other companies have proven to be as litigious as them. No matter the bankroll.

That doesn’t mean they have the best lawyers. Some companies don’t give a fuck of what others do to their IP (as long as it’s not illegal) other companies do give a shit.

Look at Nintendo for bringing lawyers after a playboy model for saying she loves Legend of Zelda, and then they apologized to her a week later.. after the community was mad at them.

Hello. PC gamer here. This is a total W. Game pass all day everyday

Honestly Activision has been such a shit show feels like Microsoft buying it is the best option. I don't think they can turn themselves around and Microsoft seems to treat its workers well.

>How is this good for consumers?

Console Warriors perspective:

"I am a normal person, I do not have enough expendable funds for a high end computer. So I buy a console, these exclusives allow for me to feel better than the rich people and I can feel better than most of them knowing my purchase has some worth that can't be made into nothing by a high end PC"

You really seem to not understand basic human pride

If people punish them like they did with Diablo immortal (with massive success) I'm sure Microsoft will be quaking in their boots!

> "So I buy a console, these exclusives allow for me to feel better than the rich people and I can feel better than most of them knowing my purchase has some worth that can't be made into nothing by a high end PC"

The average person doesn't think like that at all. The fact you think they do suggests you need to get out of your momma's basement a bit more and go interact with people in the real world.

Homie we're on Reddit, we aren't normal people.

(And I also adjusted the text to make you happy)

It’s weird to me that the EU can try to stop an American company from buying another American company.

I think D4 will be out months before this goes through, and even if not, it's way too far in development to change anything significantly now without a huge delay.

I swear this is at the top every time this is posted. It’s starting to feel like not a coincidence

I mean you can assume im some paid off astrotruf bot . But have you considered just how bad Activision has shat the bed for people to say this.

Yeah I mean I know you’re not a bot but the truth is we really should never be cheering for industry consolidation. Yes, Blizzard has been poorly run but has taken steps to right the ship. Laying off a bunch of people and consolidating projects is the most likely outcome without substantial investment in people and culture.

I'm assuming you don't know anything about Blizzard or anything about Microsoft games at the moment?

1. Blizzard is absolutely awful. World of Warcraft was a massive game driven into the dump. Heroes of the Storm was a great game that simply didn't bring in the mega bucks so they killed it. Diablo is in shambles and the company seems to want to persue mobile games. This is not good for consumers.

2. Microsoft games have been absolutely killing it. Their Xbox Game pass is extremely good value and features a wide array of games. They've been investing in bringing back great titles such as recently Age of Empires 4, which they did a fantastic job with reaching out to Relic studios for help with, and Fable 4 which is on the radar.

Ultimately. Microsoft might not be very good. But it's less about how good Microsoft is and more about how bad Blizzard is. Microsoft studios might be able to actually do something with the IP that is better for consumers as opposed to the really overly exploitative practices Activision Blizzard have been doing.