Jun 29, 2023·edited Jun 30, 2023Liked by Matt Stoller
Thanks Matt for the time you put in and the writing you deliver. It is important that the public understands what these companies are attempting in controlling their markets. Your work is invaluable in shedding light where there is ignorance.
I think it's also important that a lot of gamers really hate Activision for unrelated reasons to this, which is why they're more ok with the idea of a merger.
Just to comment on what Sony does compared to Microsoft - they do have a lot of exclusives, but a lot of those come from paying companies, not buying them. Basically they are acting as consumers for the game developers, and Microsoft decided instead to buy companies.
It does feel like the paying for exclusives is not quite the same. But I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on it, as so much other writing in the tech world is either Sony bad or Microsoft bad but Activision is worse so they are happy to kick kotick out even if it means consolidation.
(Sony also buys companies but nothing at this level. But I'd assume if this goes through both EA and Sega will have merge offers from both companies within a couple years. Probably Embracer not long after that after it's recent troubles.)
Back in the 90s I had a letter to the editor published in Infoworld, which essentially said “you think figuring out what to watch is bad now with 120 channels, wait until there are 5 billion channels!”
Who would have thunk it would be lax govt that crushed the dream of an open market for decentralized creators?
It’s also kinda amusing that blockchain promises the same decentralization. But I won’t be fooled again, to coin a phrase.
Thanks Matt for the time you put in and the writing you deliver. It is important that the public understands what these companies are attempting in controlling their markets. Your work is invaluable in shedding light where there is ignorance.
I think it's also important that a lot of gamers really hate Activision for unrelated reasons to this, which is why they're more ok with the idea of a merger.
Just to comment on what Sony does compared to Microsoft - they do have a lot of exclusives, but a lot of those come from paying companies, not buying them. Basically they are acting as consumers for the game developers, and Microsoft decided instead to buy companies.
It does feel like the paying for exclusives is not quite the same. But I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on it, as so much other writing in the tech world is either Sony bad or Microsoft bad but Activision is worse so they are happy to kick kotick out even if it means consolidation.
(Sony also buys companies but nothing at this level. But I'd assume if this goes through both EA and Sega will have merge offers from both companies within a couple years. Probably Embracer not long after that after it's recent troubles.)
I always blow a gasket whenever you point out statements by defendants that explicitly claim their intention to BREAK THE LAW.
Back in the 90s I had a letter to the editor published in Infoworld, which essentially said “you think figuring out what to watch is bad now with 120 channels, wait until there are 5 billion channels!”
Who would have thunk it would be lax govt that crushed the dream of an open market for decentralized creators?
It’s also kinda amusing that blockchain promises the same decentralization. But I won’t be fooled again, to coin a phrase.
This is a great write up and I wish I knew more about gaming. My knowledge on the topic effectively ended after PS2.