Microsoft is trying to acquire Activision Blizzard (UPDATE: CMA says NO!).

[jonny_rat]

21 minutes ago, BeeJay said:

 

Hopefully you are right that explicit loot boxes will die off, certainly for microsoft products, but skins, map packs etc. are firmly in microsoft's plans and all of AB's big games either extensively use them already or can easily adopt them. My feeling is that ultimately, game pass income will mostly come from skins, map packs etc. and not from the direct income that the subscription costs, hopefully keeping the subscription fee down for those of us that have no interest in the skins.

 

Yep. I don't think we talk about this nearly enough. Game Pass (and other subs services will do the same I think) is, or will end up as, a middle ground between free-to-play and paid, providing more than the bare-bones bit of the free-to-play model that's actually free, but with many of the bigger games on there designed to funnel players towards cosmetic purchases and add-ons. Providing enough of each game to get players invested - even if it's just in one or two games at a time. It's where the Netflix comparison breaks down a bit, because Netflix wants you to eat up series 2 of The Witcher then move onto the next thing: there's no interest in selling you a new hat for Henry Cavill to wear in every scene, or even in selling you an extra episode or anything like that.

 

I don't know if this is a bad thing or not. There's certainly an issue in terms of buying 'extras' for games that you don't actually own. But it does kind of provide a way of getting eyes on (and licensing fees to) smaller games on there, and a means for players to support games they enjoy playing over time with ongoing financial support. But it does also feel complicated and might encourage the more predatory aspects of F2P to creep into the design of the games themselves.

[MattyP]

1 hour ago, LaveDisco said:

Also, Activison, Blizzard and King are fully immersed in microtransactions, loot boxes, gambling and game design based around addiction. I desperately dont want that to infect the excellent devs MS have already bought. 

Maybe this aligns with MS's future strategy? Yes GP is cheap and all AAA games are released day one. But I expect over time more microtransaction type things will be added to pretty much all AAA games on there. Which well is kind of expected really.

 

Its fine if that is what people want and the way things are to go but its not something I'm really interested in. I'll probably just stick with smaller indie titles that are one-off experiences. 

 

Actually when I look at things my gameplay tastes have changed over the years... I hardly play AAA games anymore and much more likely to pick up something that is more creative and inventive that changes things around a bit. Not saying that I never play a AAA game but tend to find what is being made doesn't appeal as time moves on. This whole Activision take over will have no impact on me whatsoever. 

 

As for console hardware I think the PS5 will be the last one I buy from either MS or Sony. Might end up picking a Nintendo console up again at some point if they release anything of interest but even then if I can play without buying bespoke hardware I'd rather do that. A subscription of some kind and a low latency steaming/game box that has the ability to use multiple services from different providers would suit me perfectly. Looking like a PC at the moment although who knows what might be around the corner.

[Boothjan]

I personally don't care one iota about exclusivity - the only thing I am bothered about is stuff being on Game Pass, and the exciting things about acquisitions like this is the fact that so many new titles WILL appear on Game Pass.  Ideally, they'll also be on PS5 so my friends who own Playstations can also enjoy them.

 

Quite why anyone wants someone who owns a different console to them to not be able to play the same games seems really weird to me.  I won't be getting a PS5 because I don't need one with the variety and value of Game Pass, so the more titles we get on there the better but I don't understand why anyone wants others to miss out? 

 

This deal has to benefit the consumer - I won't mind the GP sub going up slightly if the quality and variety of titles improves further.

 

I think it's exciting news.

[footle]

1 hour ago, LaveDisco said:

it’s interesting/depressing that all first party games on gamepass that have been developed during full ownership of MS (Flight sim, Forza, Halo, seas of Thieves) are all mediums that support MTX at their core. 

 

Flight Simulator - has always been, and arguably they're not microtransactions.

Halo - is only so because... the relevant bit is free to play: no game pass required.

Forza Horizon - where's the microtransaction?

 

[Captain Kelsten]

I'd argue Sea of Thieves doesn't support microtransactions at its core: it has them, they're all 100% purely cosmetic, completely unnecessary for the game and your player progress/enjoyment. Saying 'at its core' suggests they're integral to the game, when they're not.

[Boothjan]

8 minutes ago, Doctor Shark said:

I'd argue Sea of Thieves doesn't support microtransactions at its core: it has them, they're all 100% purely cosmetic, completely unnecessary for the game and your player progress/enjoyment. Saying 'at its core' suggests they're integral to the game, when they're not.

 

Also, the amount of cosmetics you can get in-game that AREN'T part of the 'Plunder Pass' is huge.

[K]

27 minutes ago, Isaac said:

 

The business priorities are really quite different.

 

A third-party publisher releasing titles across all platforms vs a platform owner attempting to create content for a subscription service to increase subscriber numbers.

 

It's why I think Microsoft will immediately dive into a new Crash and a new Spyro - family games are quite a big hole in the game pass library at the moment, and they just acquired two of the most recognisable family game IPs.

 

Crash and Spyro make sense, I'm just not convinced that Microsoft will start making a comprehensive Call of Duty collection. The CoD games for 2022, 2023 and 2024 will be at varying stages of active development, so it seems odd for Microsoft to start pouring resources into making another one, especially if they already have the older games that they can stick on Game Pass to attract new subscribers, and if they already have shedloads of FPS games on the service.

[Mortis]

You can happily complete everything in Forza Horizon 5 without paying a penny above your gamepass sub or the cost of the retail disk as well. 
 Another game that has MTX but not “at its core”

[Lorfarius]

1 minute ago, K said:

 

Crash and Spyro make sense, I'm just not convinced that Microsoft will start making a comprehensive Call of Duty collection. The CoD games for 2022, 2023 and 2024 will be at varying stages of active development, so it seems odd for Microsoft to start pouring resources into making another one, especially if they already have the older games that they can stick on Game Pass to attract new subscribers, and if they already have shedloads of FPS games on the service.

 

But none of those are as big a draw for customers as COD.

[K]

Just now, Lorfarius said:

 

But none of those are as big a draw for customers as COD.

 

Yeah, but they've already got 17 Call of Duty games they can stick on there, plus another three in the pipe! I honestly think 'Modern Warfare 2022 on Game Pass for all subscribers' is a pretty big draw in its own right, plus all the older ones. I don't think they need to make another one on top of all that.

[JPL]

Can someone explain to me why CoD is so huge again? I haven't played one since Modern Warfare (I think!) and even with the praise that one got, it was really poor.

 

Honestly, looking through the IP this deal comes with and it just isn't for me. There's not a single game under the AB banner I'm bothered about playing. Except Sekiro and I already own that.

[Rex Grossman]

33 minutes ago, Boothjan said:

Quite why anyone wants someone who owns a different console to them to not be able to play the same games seems really weird to me.  I won't be getting a PS5 because I don't need one with the variety and value of Game Pass, so the more titles we get on there the better but I don't understand why anyone wants others to miss out? 

 

Because toxic tribalism: https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/opinion/its-time-to-end-toxic-tribalism-198183/

[moosegrinder]

"Again"? It's always been popular. It's just small potatoes on forums like this but for Joe CEX they buy consoles for the new one and maybe FIFA and that's the only games they play.

[Alex W.]

1 minute ago, JPL said:

Can someone explain to me why CoD is so huge again? I haven't played one since Modern Warfare (I think!) and even with the praise that one got, it was really poor.

 

Honestly, looking through the IP this deal comes with and it just isn't for me. There's not a single game under the AB banner I'm bothered about playing. Except Sekiro and I already own that.

It’s like FIFA, you’ve got an endlessly repeatable multiplayer component that all the kids know the rules to at this point.

[Rex Grossman]

Just now, moosegrinder said:

"Again"? It's always been popular. It's just small potatoes on forums like this but for Joe CEX they buy consoles for the new one and maybe FIFA and that's the only games they play.

 

I took "again" to mean "Can someone remind me again".

[RubberJohnny]

Yes, it's like asking why GTA Online is popular again, when it never stopped being popular.

[Cyhwuhx]

2 minutes ago, JPL said:

Can someone explain to me why CoD is so huge again? I haven't played one since Modern Warfare (I think!) and even with the praise that one got, it was really poor.

 

Honestly, looking through the IP this deal comes with and it just isn't for me. There's not a single game under the AB banner I'm bothered about playing. Except Sekiro and I already own that.

 

That's just feigning ignorance.

[moosegrinder]

3 minutes ago, Rex Grossman said:

 

I took "again" to mean "Can someone remind me again".

 

Ah, got you.

[JPL]

2 minutes ago, Rex Grossman said:

 

I took "again" to mean "Can someone remind me again".

Yeah, that's what I meant.

 

2 minutes ago, Cyhwuhx said:

 

That's just feigning ignorance.

Not really. I've played it way back as I mentioned, but I just don't get the appeal and because of that I've never kept up to date with what it's doing these days. It must be doing something pretty special to keep people coming back to it.

[JPL]

4 minutes ago, Alex W. said:

It’s like FIFA, you’ve got an endlessly repeatable multiplayer component that all the kids know the rules to at this point.

I guess this is the answer. It's like a pair of comfy old slippers.

[footle]

6 minutes ago, Cyhwuhx said:

 

That's just feigning ignorance.

 

I dunno. If you're a 40-something like me you don't have the energy or reactions to play CoD multiplayer any longer. 

 

I do wonder how much life it has outside of Warzone though. And there's zero chance that Warzone is going exclusive, ever - any more than Candy Crush or Minecraft. It's the nearest thing Microsoft or Activision have to a Fortnite competitor.

 

(It would be a very bleak metaverse).

[moosegrinder]

Second biggest selling game last year behind FIFA 22, despite being the worst selling CoD in 14 years.

[Monkeyspill]

I don’t think I’ve played Call of Duty since the very first game on PC. 
 

It’s always seemed multiplayer focused, and I’m not good enough for that so have just left it alone. I remember playing one team-based game years ago and fucking it up for everyone because I didn’t have a clue what was going on. If it’s on Gamepass though, I’ll give the campaign a go.

[HarryBizzle]

Anyone wanna buy a PS5?

 

 

Wonder how long we see Sony hold on to its £70 games model.

[Alex W.]

It really seems pointless for me to not at least have a Series S at this point.

[Isaac]

4 minutes ago, HarryBizzle said:

Anyone wanna buy a PS5?

 

 

Wonder how long we see Sony hold on to its £70 games model.

 

It is here to stay because they can't afford it not to be £70. Sony's exclusives cost a silly amount of money (and growing) per game, and if they are only selling them to Playstation gamers then they need to be £70+ to recoup costs.

 

It's why I think day one PC releases of Sony exclusive titles are getting more and more inevitable. They can't afford not to given their production costs and the rate at which they can produce PS5s.

[mikeyl]

Old enough to remember the great Forza Early Access scandal as well as their £2.50 map unlocks. Micro transactions and DLC are not core to the experience but we can’t be certain that MS isn’t trying to make whales out of all us and playing on your FOMO to recoup costs where they can.

[HarryBizzle]

3 hours ago, Isaac said:

 

It is here to stay because they can't afford it not to be £70. Sony's exclusives cost a silly amount of money (and growing) per game, and if they are only selling them to Playstation gamers then they need to be £70+ to recoup costs.

 

It's why I think day one PC releases of Sony exclusive titles are getting more and more inevitable. They can't afford not to given their production costs and the rate at which they can produce PS5s.

 

I think they probably need to think about the benefits of selling £70 games to people vs £70 games becoming a stick to beat them with in "should you buy a PS5 or Series X?" comparisons, etc. Game Pass vs £70 games is quite a powerful narrative, especially if you add "Bethesda + COD" into that mix.

 

I think the impact of losing COD is potentially huge.

[rafaqat]

11 hours ago, SuperCapes said:

 

Do I take the suspect thing as a compliment? Maybe!

 

Outside of the fact that some very shady people getting big pay checks rather than police checks, the monopolisation is clear to be seen. 

 

But aye, my slither of optimism actually comes from Housemarque and Bluepoint being incredible in house studios meaning some competition, on top of the classics that have been delivering for a while.

 

So long as gaming continues to be as good as it is I am honestly not bothered. 

 

I do think it is normal to be concerned when one company is monopolising all the big entities that are reliable third party sources, creating decent content for everyone. If that makes me some sort of pessimistic side taker then so be it.

 

I'm at the point where I would just like to not have to keep buying lots of hardware to play all the good shit.  With cloud streaming I guess that does mean that dream is closer.

 

[b00dles]

Well I'm going to be upgrading my pc for definite then.

 

I still think this is generally bad for the industry though but then I'm old enough to not like the idea of megacorps, it's all going a bit Syndicate for my liking 😋