| Ryuu96 said: Appreciate the fair response. 👠I guess we differ simply in that we don't have the same future fears, for the reasons I've stated, I believe the gaming market is more protected against that level of consolidation but that's fine, I can't really debate a future with proof For me, I'm of course against some acquisitions and wouldn't like to see a massive consolidation but I just don't have the fear of that happening. Do I think more will happen? Sure, but I still don't think it's going to come down to like 3-5 companies owning practically everything, again for the reasons I stated in my previous post. I think each acquisition should be judged on its individual merits and not a possibility future because then it makes it difficult to know where to cut things off, it's also not really fair (Imo) to block an acquisition on the basis that some others in the future may consolidate the industry even if you slow down and even if your specific acquisition right now is perfectly legal and doesn't significantly harm consumers or competition. Judging the ABK acquisition on its merits, it has been deemed to be more pro-consumer than not, more pro-competition than not, doesn't give Microsoft a huge advantage over the competition. ABK is largely about Mobile for Microsoft as well. In the year ending 2021, Mobile accounted for 36% of ABK's revenues, in the year ending 2022, Mobile accounted for 47% of ABK's revenues. Microsoft has next to zero foothold in Mobile and ABK without Mobile would be a much less expensive company as well. Microsoft is more concerned about Mobile than Xbox exclusivity, Lol. Yeah, I'm a little concerned about outside companies as well but Google dipped out the moment they realised it would be expensive, as per usual with Google who don't commit to anything new. xCloud is a failure for Xbox so far but at least they're sticking with it, Lol. There are others who are still lurking though like Amazon, oh I forgot to mention Netflix as well. But these guys are just seeing the facts, irrelevant of Microsoft's acquisitions, the Gaming Industry is a massive business now, it's one of the largest entertainment sectors, there are studies saying it's bigger than film and music combined, it's rapidly growing as well, but the silver lining maybe is that a large portion of that growth comes from mobile while console has a lower ceiling so maybe they just focus on mobile. Yeah, the FTC did a terrible job, I think it wouldn't have mattered how long they had though, they were always arguing from a tough position, I wish they'd use these resources on actually winnable cases, it's like them taking Meta to court earlier this year for acquiring a VR Fitness Start-up Company that nobody had ever heard of...They lost...Again...I'm not against FTC going after certain companies but actually pick good ones, make good cases, stop wasting your limited resources, especially with a Supreme Court desperate for an excuse to stamp on your neck... |
of course! the point of my thread was never to vehemently argue i am right and everyone else is wrong. i know that i didn't know 100% of the story here so, i appreciate you and others offering concise (and civil lol) reasonings for the pro-side.
basically though, yeah... i think we have different assumptions and fears and maybe view the corporate and legal world slightly differently. i still believe it's possible that this could lead to furthering down a detrimental road but, i can concede this isn't the only reason that could happen nor is it good enough reason for the court to stop this. for me though, "too little, too late" is not a good enough reason and i think it would be better to stop corporations getting to big by any means. again though, that's more political and possibly a little too naive haha. we both obviously can't predict exactly what will happen, so i guess we'll see!
definitely these outside players could've and basically have already tried making moves, MS acquisition or not. not even mentioning players such as Saudi Arabia... sheesh.
the FTC have honestly screwed themselves. if they continue to take on ridiculous cases, no company will be scared of them and their authority. i'm not surprised though, in the political climate we're in especially - corporations are gods. late-stage capitalism baby.
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