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freddy_rumsen t1_j1hmg7d wrote

Wow the US and Microsoft are fighting over antitrust laws? Something new and different for a change

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FloridaGatorMan t1_j1i4nyd wrote

Microsoft will probably win. I believe all they have to prove is that consumers won’t be negatively impacted. It has proven to be an incredibly low bar and why virtually every industry in America is dominated by a handful of companies.

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TheAlbacor t1_j1ih0k2 wrote

And usually consumers aren't negatively impacted... At first. But then 5 years later it gets worse and politicians act surprised. Probably because they love those lobbyist visits.

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SpiderFudge t1_j1ik6mm wrote

I think blizzard could use some oversight. To make it palatable for their existing customers lol

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FloridaGatorMan t1_j1ikud5 wrote

Companies do not tend to improve when they are bought out by much larger companies. They tend to experience extensive layoffs, budget cuts, and projects cancelled. Blizzard has made strides to have a better work culture and being owned by Microsoft will not accelerate that. Being owned my Microsoft will only further guarantee more games like Diablo Immortal are released.

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acprocode t1_j1kbork wrote

Every studio that has been bought out by microsoft has become worse. This isnt hyperbole, I honestly cant think of a single first party title from microsoft since 2017 that was actually good. Forza 5 may be the only one, along with halo infinite (the free 2 play multiplayer not the actual game). But yea basically all of their studios they bought produced shit.

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FloridaGatorMan t1_j1kbxn0 wrote

It’s often a consolidation and competitive move. The most you buy up, the less competition there is, the more you can focus on 1-2 money makers. I would not be surprised to see Blizzard dump everything but call of duty.

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Mo-shen t1_j1iwi4m wrote

I think actually that's the main problem. Activisions board and shareholders getting involved.

I just want kotick gone, which is why I really want the ms to happen.

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TheAlbacor t1_j1ikmow wrote

By who? Microsoft has faced repeated anti-competitive practices across the globe and just "found" sexual harassment and discrimination issues within their own company.

You really think they're better?

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[deleted] t1_j1izyn4 wrote

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TheAlbacor t1_j1j0ggb wrote

How does MS, who has also sexual harassment and gender discrimination problems not unlike Activision, run a tighter ship?

Why would you trust them to change and not Activision? Kotick said he'd quit if things didn't get fixed and he hasn't quit.

If you trust these companies, they've successfully marketed to you.

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[deleted] t1_j1j0tgq wrote

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Pugduck77 t1_j1jyusb wrote

The frat boy culture is not what made Blizzard products bad. Quite the opposite, really. Blizzard games were much better when it was passionate frat boys making them instead of soulless suits.

The frat boy culture made it a toxic place to work, but is that bad for consumers? Seems like a totally separate issue.

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TheAlbacor t1_j1j2e7f wrote

So, you pointed out that MS has more money and resources to put policies in place to avoid discrimination and they haven't. Doesn't seem like a tight ship.

Frat boy culture is trash, but we don't need a monopolistic company consolidating the gaming industry even more when we could just, I dunno, demand legal consequences for Activision? Wouldn't that make the most sense?

Seeing MS as the savior is completely misguided.

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