Is Microsoft Activision Blizzard Deal Dead?

Is Microsoft Activision Blizzard Deal Dead?

The U.K. Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced that it is blocking the proposed Microsoft purchase of Activision Blizzard. Does this mean the deal is dead? The answer is complex. Summary: AKA Just Give Me the Answer DFC gets a ton of questions on this subject so we are providing a full summary of events here. However, for the quick summary: No the deal is not dead! However, Microsoft will likely need to make further compromises to appease regulators. The questi.....
Microsoft Hardware Revenue Has Major Decline

Microsoft Hardware Revenue Has Major Decline

For its third fiscal quarter ending 3/31/23, Microsoft reported that Xbox Hardware revenue was down 30% year over year.  Xbox content and services were up 3%.  Overall game revenue was down 4% to $3.6 billion. Analysis The big news this week has been the U.K. blocking Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard.  The recently released financials serve to highlight how.....
U.K. CMA Narrows Scope of Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard Purchase

U.K. CMA Narrows Scope of Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard Purchase

The U.K. Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has issued updated provisional findings to narrow its scope of review in the proposed Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard.  The new findings reach the provisional conclusion that overall the transaction will not result in a substantial lessening of competition for console gaming in the U.K. market This new finding d.....
Will Xbox First-Party Software Catchup to PlayStation in 2023?

Will Xbox First-Party Software Catchup to PlayStation in 2023?

It is no secret that in recent years Microsoft has made a significant investment in beefing up its internal video game software development.  However, since the 2020 launch of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, Sony has been ahead when it comes to notable first-party software.  This may be changing going forward as some big-name exclusives are scheduled to launch for Xbox platforms. As PlayStation 5 shortages ease, the new .....
Microsoft Signs Game Deals with Nvidia and Nintendo

Microsoft Signs Game Deals with Nvidia and Nintendo

Microsoft announced two separate deals to bring Xbox games to other platforms.  Nvidia and Microsoft signed a 10-year partnership to bring Xbox PC games to the Nvidia GeForce Now cloud streaming service. In a tweet from Microsoft President Brad Smith, it was announced that Microsoft and Nintendo have signed a binding 10-year agreement to bring Call of Duty games to Nintendo players on the same day as Xbox. Analysis The announcements are clearly an effort to assure .....
Do CMA Findings Jeopardize Microsoft Activision Blizzard Deal?

Do CMA Findings Jeopardize Microsoft Activision Blizzard Deal?

The U.K. Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) published its latest findings in its ongoing inquiry into the Activision Blizzard merger.  These provisional findings are part of the ongoing Phase 2 investigation that started last September and is scheduled to be completed by April 26, 2023. The 275-page document concludes with two major issues: The full report is available .....
Does Nintendo Have the Best Online Subscription Service?

Does Nintendo Have the Best Online Subscription Service?

A great deal of attention has been focused on Microsoft’s Game Pass subscription service.  However, the recent Microsoft quarterly earnings show that the service does not appear to be doing much for Microsoft’s bottom line.  Revenue from both Xbox hardware and content and services declined during the holiday 2022 season.  This begs the question, does Microsoft’s game business model make sense.....