Microsoft wins FTC fight to buy Activision Blizzard
https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/11/23779039/microsoft-activision-blizzard-ftc-trial-win
From the article, quoting Judge Corley:
… the Court finds the FTC has not shown a likelihood it will prevail on its claim this particular vertical merger in this specific industry may substantially lessen competition. To the contrary, the record evidence points to more consumer access to Call of Duty and other Activision content. The motion for a preliminary injunction is therefore DENIED.
The consolidation of the gaming industry will be just another tale of oligopoly in a capitalist society I guess. Yaaay.
We’re heading towards the balkanization of all digital content, DRM is the method they will use to enforce their rule.
Piracy isn’t just moral at this stage, you’re obligated to participate as a means to resist.
Despite not pirating PC games due to not wanting to risk viruses I am very invested in the cracking scene, since they lead to positive outcomes of some companies removing DRM earlier if a crack comes out. Used to be they’d just be left in indefinitely. Thank you pirates.
Piracy against big corporations? Sure, but indie devs? That’s gonna hurt them far more and they usually haven’t done anything to uustify it
The indie industry is also growing a lot these days
Agreed, besides for a few companies in the triple A space the indie scene has grown so much to the point where I don’t feel like I’m missing out on great gameplay, stories, and/or graphics anymore.
Yeah, it’s exploded so much that compared to the past there’s an overwhelming amount of options now. It’s led to being harder to stand out and make a hit compared to the past, but also shows how much the barrier to entry has fallen.
Activision Blizzard is so rotten to the core, I actually think it’s a good thing Microsoft is taking them over.
It certainly can’t get any worse than now.