Xbox |OT|

[Machiavellian]

Ryuu96 said:

New document from the CMA, from a redacted third party (market participant A)

10 pages and in this case in favor of the deal.

It's from someone in the gaming industry responding to the Issues Statement that was published in mid September and in favor of the deal. There are mainly saying that:

- The CMA has been a consumer champion for years: they mention different examples from recents years and how the future creation of the Digital Markets Unit or DMU (a new regulatory regime in UK for Big Tech, similar to the DMA in Europe) will set the standard in future digital markets policy among global regulators.

- Increasing digitisation that results in greater choice and innovation is welcomed, drawing parallels to other streaming platforms and digital ecosystems (Deliveroo, Uber or Airbnb). They also say that the increase in subscription and cloud-based platforms has been positive for consumers and the increase in content, investment, and choice in these markets has been pro-consumer.

- Increasing digitisation of the video gaming industry moving forwards is inherently positive because the video gaming market is moving towards a subscription and cloud-based gaming model, and the transaction could stimulate innovation and competition in this market moving forwards.

- The proposed transaction is pro-consumer because it provides wider access to quality content at low cost and Microsoft has no incentive to pursue a strategy of input foreclosure towards rivals.

- This transaction is an opportunity for the CMA to strengthen policy in digital markets, set the standard for a new policy in those markets making the commitments from MS official because it's the only way to preserve the benefits of the deal for consumers.

Source: Idas.

We believe Microsoft is seeking to propagate innovation and embrace the move towards subscription services and cloud gaming – it is unsurprising that a technology company can see where the direction of travel is headed. By contrast, it seems that Sony may be looking at this transaction through the lens of a hardware company and not with the future development of the industry in mind. There is no evidence to suggest that this deal would inhibit Sony or any other rival's ability to compete in the multi-game subscription or cloud gaming markets. The barriers to entry are low, the market is extraordinarily dynamic and new competition can arise through innovation and original content – all of which would be positive for consumers.

This is MS money going to work.  Not sure who this 3rd party is but I am sure the check is in the mail.