Right around for that meeting I think they are having today... interesting. Hope we get a solid update on this asap.

Tick... tock...

Damnit Microsoft. Doing an update while I sleep.

What a move, promising 10 years of CoD for both Switch (an over 100m userbase) and Steam. Now if FTC blocks the deal they are not only lowkey spitting in the face of employers and unions but also I think it's safe to say now that blocking the deal would harm more consumers than it would protect, FTC has no angle here where blocking the deal won't make them look bad.

I wonder if they can sign a contract now though which only comes into effect if and when the acquisition closes.

Brad Smith does not mince his words, Lol. I've not seen this side of him, yesterday he was calling Sony, Blockbuster

I wonder how it works, because Sony would have to share specs with the Minecraft team too, it could be something like they can only share specs with the development team but Microsoft itself isn't allowed to know to ensure fair competition?

Interestingly, while the Nintendo side of the pledge stands out for its odd fit and potential technical woes, the Valve commitment seems far more casual, with Gabe Newell telling Kotaku in a statement:

We're happy that Microsoft wants to continue using Steam to reach customers with Call of Duty when their Activision acquisition closes. Microsoft has been on Steam for a long time and we take it as a signal that they are happy with gamers reception to that and the work we are doing. Our job is to keep building valuable features for not only Microsoft but all Steam customers and partners.

Microsoft offered and even sent us a draft agreement for a long-term Call of Duty commitment but it wasn't necessary for us because a) we're not believers in requiring any partner to have an agreement that locks them to shipping games on Steam into the distant future b) Phil and the games team at Microsoft have always followed through on what they told us they would do so we trust their intentions and c) we think Microsoft has all the motivation they need to be on the platforms and devices where Call of Duty customers want to be.

Microsoft Promises To Release Call of Duty On Nintendo, Steam

Gabe is such a legend.

Refused the agreement but only because he doesn't believe in forcing Microsoft to support Steam and trusts Phil & Xbox anyway.

That's a very strong statement in support of Xbox by Gabe and by extension, Valve, whom are Microsoft's main competitor in PC.

Gabes statement on Microsoft really sends it home that this ain't the old MS anymore. They should change their slogan at this point. 

Microsoft - For The Players

Microsoft store does it again!

Agreed. It would be very appealing to a lot of workers, if Microsoft starts getting more talent easier because they offer unions then that in turn could cause other major publishers to get onboard with unions, unless they want to lose valuable employees, this could cause a ripple effect across the entire gaming industry and then expand to tech in general.

If FTC cares about workers and unions then this is a big chance to show that.

Lord Gaben strikes again!

I bet Tim Sweeney is pissed it’s amazing how in one swoop, every angle Sony has is gone!

Microsoft will most likely become a destination employer for a lot of devs out there

And all of this while they still have contractors and a hiring freeze...

The contractor situation, idk when that will ever be resolved since that policy runs through the core MS as a whole. 

Hopefully the hiring freeze will end by the time the deal closes. Why bother making your company as desirable to work at as possible and not be able to do anything about it lol