By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close
Machiavellian on 01 March 2023
Edit Thread
EpicRandy said:
Machiavellian said:

Investors have no say in how MS spends their money. They have never had a say in how MS spends their money.

Would not say they have no say but yes I should have said MS not investors, Investors may have no direct say over MS way to spend but MS does over Xbox and I do not believe that if this deal fails the money return directly in Xbox pocket but in MS's one, which Xbox will then need to fight to secure back.
What I described in my previous post is only under the hypothesis that Xbox does secure it.

This deal isn't about Xbox but MS as a business.  Meaning that acquisition on this scale is a company wide decision that does not pull that money from the Xbox division but a totally different pool.  So no, if this deal does not go through it does not mean that money just sits there for Phil to grab.  It goes back to MS pool of cash they set aside for acquisitions, it could be something in gaming or something totally non gaming related.

Machiavellian said:

Also in the bigger picture, there is nothing in the short term that MS can do that will impact Sony. 

Every action MS take will end up impacting Sony but yeah if you look only short term they won't be significant.

Not really.  Nothing MS has done so far even purchasing Bethesda, putting Starfield and Redfall exclusive or Even making GP a great gaming service has really slowed Sony down one bit.  What I am talking about is significant impact that will make all of Sony execs flinch.  Even this deal landing doesn't really effect Sony in the short term and MS going on a buying spree isn't going to penetrate Sony market lead unless Sony does something really stupid.  Currently I do not see that happening.

Machiavellian said:

Sony dominance is there because they have successfully made much better decisions than MS over the years and their brand loyalty around the world. 

Completely agree though MS recent decision (2018+) have set foundation to increase their market share

Machiavellian said:

Sony would need to severely screw up in order for MS to make any real penetration in Sony market dominance. 

I agree that MS moves under Phil has been very well calculated and real improvement to the brand, but Sony mindshare is extremely strong and they have used their market dominance very successfully in keep MS at bay.

If we are talking Xbox vs PlayStation yeah, but it is GamePass that now gave MS new confidence in the Xbox division and not the Xbox hardware itself. If you use MAU instead then MS have a shot to best Sony mid to long term.

Machiavellian said:

MS always have the option to spend as much money as they want to secure developers out their so this belief that this will make a real dent I do not believe is will happen. MS best bet has always been to shake up the industry and carve out their own section instead of fighting a losing battle to out muscle Sony.

They always had to option to spent $69B but they did not until now and that's because now they have faith in GamePass and they choose to take the acquisition route but you have to take into consideration other available investment option if this route is somehow blocked. 

Machiavellian said:

MS best bet has always been to shake up the industry and carve out their own section instead of fighting a losing battle to out muscle Sony.

Yes but that's exactly what they are doing their, carve out is called GamePass and there's nothing like a good $69B shakeup be it by acquisition or other mean 😉.

Anyway none of the above actually contradict my previous post as Sony dominance does not need to end for them to be more impacted by MS reaction to the deal failing than it would be with it succeeding.

I agree on this point, I just believe that GP is a long term plan for success not in the short.  When I say long term, I am see probably 2 more generations before it really bear fruit.