Concerns About the Deal

I regret to say that my outlook on this acquisition is not optimistic. The complexities of such a major business transaction are vast, with countless variables that make it impossible to predict outcomes. No one can say for sure how this will unfold in the next year, or even ten years down the line.

Here are a few key concerns I have regarding this acquisition:

1. The Dangers of Monopolies

   "When money, rather than innovation or value, is your competitive advantage, that's when things get boring and stagnant." This quote from Hank Green highlights the troubling trend in the art world today. It often seems that the only thing that matters is profitability, overshadowing creativity and artistic vision.

In a capitalist environment, money drives decisions, but this creates fierce competition among large corporations. The dominance of companies like Microsoft over smaller game studios is concerning. Activision's franchises will now be subject to Microsoft’s standards, leading to a loss of independence for the studio.

While Microsoft might not be a bad steward, the bureaucratic and financial oversight could stifle creativity and lead to uninspired decisions.

2. Impending Exclusivity Deals

   Some might argue that increased competition could lead to better offerings for gamers, but I fear that the opposite could happen. With Microsoft now owning both Activision and Bethesda, they have the power to dictate which titles will be available on other platforms.

The temptation to create exclusive content will likely be too great to resist, potentially forcing gamers to purchase specific consoles to access beloved franchises. Imagine being a Nintendo owner who only wants to play Crash Bandicoot—you may soon have to invest in an expensive Xbox to do so.

3. The Cycle of Acquisitions

   This acquisition could also trigger a chain reaction in the industry. Companies like Nintendo and Sony will likely seek to grow their own portfolios, leading to a cycle of acquisitions that could threaten smaller developers.

If this trend continues, we might witness a decline in diversity within the gaming industry, similar to what has happened in the film industry, which is now dominated by sequels and superhero films.

Ultimately, I hope my concerns are unfounded and that this acquisition benefits both Activision employees and the gaming community. However, when an entity becomes "too big to fail," it often signals trouble ahead.

In this video, I share my unfiltered views on the implications of Microsoft finalizing the Activision-Blizzard deal, analyzing its potential impact on the gaming industry.