Thoughts Unboxed

Atari once was among the competing gaming consoles. But that part is now a history. However, seems like the group currently holding the rights to Atari brand has something up its sleeves. The official X account from the group that holds the rights to the Atari Video Game brand has shared a teaser video that looks like a classic Atari Console. The unveil will happen on Tuesday, August 22nd.  Incoming… 👀 pic.twitter.com/IrjDsejlvI — Atari (@atari) August 21, 2023   Analysis Going by the teaser video, seems like we may be getting a retro Atari Console. There are some speculations Atari may be announcing a DLC pack for the recently released 50-games pack for XBox, PlayStation and Switch. It may also be about the new Rollercoaster Tycoons title considering Atari secured a 10-year IP deal for the game. However, Atari may pull the biggest surprise of the year by announcing a completely new gaming console to enter the Gaming Console Arena. We won't have to

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals today denied the Federal Trade Commission's petition seeking injunctive relief against Microsoft. This ruling paves the way for Microsoft to proceed with its acquisition of Activision Blizzard in the near future. Microsoft's President Brad Smith welcomed the swift decision. He said in a statement: We appreciate the Ninth Circuit’s swift response denying the FTC’s motion to further delay the deal. This brings us another step closer to the finish line in this marathon of global regulatory reviews. While the court's ruling is a significant victory for Microsoft, a major obstacle remains in the form of the United Kingdom's Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA), which has already rejected the proposed merger. Citing concerns over potential unfair advantage in the emerging cloud gaming sector, the CMA has been engaged in negotiations with Microsoft to explore alternative terms for the merger. With a deadline of

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) was unsuccessful in its attempt to obtain a temporary injunction blocking Microsoft's acquisition of Activision-Blizzard. Federal judge Jacqueline Scott Corley denied the petition earlier this week , allowing Microsoft to proceed with the acquisition by July 18th. There was speculation that the FTC might drop its lawsuit entirely, but surprisingly enough, the FTC is appealing the federal judge's decision and has filed an opposition to the judge's ruling . The FTC has lodged its appeal in the Ninth Circuit Court and is once again seeking to halt the deal. In its appeal, the FTC has claimed the judge made several judgemental mistakes. Various objections raised by the FTC can be summarized as: Aplying an incorrect legal standard to the FTC's request for a preliminary injunction. Making a legal mistake by finding that Microsoft was likely to impede competition in the market for multi-game subscription library servic

  The Competition and Market Authority (CMA) of the UK may be changing its position on Microsoft's acquisition of Activision-Blizzard. The authority has expressed openness to reconsidering its decision to block the merger if Microsoft can address the concerns raised in CMA's final report. CMA was the first antitrust authority to block the merger, citing concerns about the potential impact on the future of cloud gaming. Microsoft has challenged this decision, and a hearing is scheduled for July 28. However, Microsoft, Activision, and CMA have agreed to pause the litigation in the UK. This pause will allow the three parties to work on a satisfactory restructuring of the transaction. CMA's change in stance follows the FTC's loss of a motion for a preliminary injunction against Microsoft's acquisition of Activision-Blizzard. Brad Smith, Microsoft's representative, responded to the decision, saying: After today's court decision in the U.S., our focus now turns ba

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has lost its motion for a preliminary injunction to halt Microsoft's acquisition of Activision-Blizzard. The case involved presentations from both parties over a span of five days, with the federal judge tasked with deciding whether to grant the FTC's request for an emergency injunction to prevent the deal from closing. While the FTC still has the option to file an appeal with the federal appellate court, it remains to be seen whether they will pursue that route or drop the lawsuit entirely. In her decision , Federal Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley stated: This Court’s responsibility in this case is narrow. It is to decide if, notwithstanding these current circumstances, the merger should be halted—perhaps even terminated—pending resolution of the FTC administrative action. For the reasons explained, the Court finds the FTC has not shown a likelihood it will prevail on its claim this particular vertical merger i

Sony's fierce opposition to Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Activision-Blizzard has been no secret since the announcement last year. The gaming giant has been lobbying extensively against the deal's approval. In an attempt to assuage Sony, Microsoft offered a guarantee of Call of Duty's availability on Sony's PlayStation platform. Recent developments have shed light on a twist in the tale. According to a Twitter post, Sony's CEO, Jim Ryan, purportedly made a counteroffer to Xbox Boss, Phil Spencer, as a condition to green-light the deal. The counterproposal laid out several demands, as follows: Ensure that all existing and future Activision Blizzard games are still available on PlayStation & have parity with Xbox. Don't make PlayStation Activision Blizzard games more expensive than Xbox. Treat all Activision Blizzard games equally on subscription services of Xbox and Playstation. Upon comp

Microsoft finds itself entangled in multiple legal battles, proving that its fight knows no rest. While the tech giant prepares to challenge the block on its proposed acquisition of Activision-Blizzard in both the UK and the United States, it also faces a smaller yet significant side battle—a lawsuit brought forth by a group of gamers. The lawyers representing the gamers recently unveiled an alleged internal email exchange between Matt Booty, the Head of Microsoft Xbox Game Studios, and Tim Stuart, Microsoft's CFO for Xbox. Although the exact contents of the email remain redacted, it is said to contain "uncontroverted evidence" that Microsoft aimed to eliminate its main competitor, Sony PlayStation, from the market. Microsoft has countered the claims by stating that the email was sent in 2019 and is unrelated to the acquisition of Activision-Blizzard in early 2022. However, when approached by Axios , the company refused to disclose the c

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has requested a preliminary injunction to temporarily halt Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Activision-Blizzard. The FTC has filed a lawsuit to block the merger in December 2022, expressing concerns about the potential negative impact on competition in the gaming industry. FTC fears Microsoft could manipulate Activision's gaming products, such as by restricting availability or increasing prices on other platforms, which would harm competitors like Sony. FTC argues in the complaint: Both a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction are necessary because Microsoft and Activision have represented that they may consummate the proposed acquisition at any time. The FTC's temporary injunction attempt aims to prevent Microsoft and Activision from proceeding with the acquisition until the case is fully reviewed. This development comes as the July 18th deadline for the deal appro

Jim Ryan - The President and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment confirmed Sony is working on a handheld to make it easier to play PS5 games at the comfort of your couch. It was announced at Sony’s PlayStation Showcase and is called Project Q. “We are launching a dedicated device to let you stream any game from your PS5 console using Remote Play over Wi-Fi,” PlayStation boss Jim Ryan said during the PlayStation Showcase. “ Project Q has an 8-inch HD screen and integrates all the buttons and features of the DualSense Wireless Controller.  Seems like the market for handheld console is getting ripe. After the success of Nintendo Switch and to some extent, Steam's Steam Deck. Sony has decided to enter the arena as well. However, Project Q is strictly a streaming device and Games must be installed on PS5 and excludes VR games. From the verbiage, the cloud streaming device would only work with PS5 Console. Jim also introduced first ever PlayStation Earbuds that would bring wirele

  In an anticipated yet surprise win for Microsoft, EU Regulators have approved the proposed acquisition of Activision-Blizzard by Microsoft. However, it is not a completely free lunch for Microsoft. The regulators have imposed some conditions.  In a nutshell, the regulators found: Microsoft would have no incentive blocking Activision's games from Sony's PS Consoles In a scenario where Microsoft did withdraw Activision's games from PlayStation Console, it would not harm Sony in a significant way Regulators also put certain conditions for the merger to be approved: 10-year commitment for CoD to be on PlayStation Gamers in EU would get a free license for all current and future Activision's Games for the Cloud-Streaming Service of their choice provided they already own the license of those games. Cloud Streaming services would also be given free licenses to stream Activision's Games in EU countries

  FTC Chair Lina Khan has reiterated her commitment to protecting the future by implementing measures that create obstacles in the present. In a surprising interview with CNBC, Khan briefly discussed the Microsoft-Activision acquisition. She stated:   This matter is currently under active proceedings, so there are limitations to what I can disclose. However, the FTC filed a separate lawsuit to block this deal in early December. The Complaint highlights various concerns the Commission has, particularly in the console market, as well as the expanding and evolving cloud and subscription markets.   The Complaint focuses on multiple markets, including those that are still experiencing rapid growth and development.   We have witnessed time and again how these emerging markets require enforcers to prioritize safeguarding competition and innovation, ensuring incumbents do not stifle competition and innovation.   Considering the FTC's decision to exclude Nintendo from what it considers the