470°

Sony Accuses Microsoft Of 'Harassment' In Court Battle

The struggles to get Microsoft’s proposed $68.7 billion purchase of Activision Blizzard over the line aren’t just playing out at government watchdogs and in the public eye, but in courtrooms as well. And in one of those battlegrounds, Microsoft is making demands of its rival Sony that the latter say constitute “obvious harassment”.

Obscure_Observer442d ago

"Harassment"

Lmao

Unbelievable! Sony is now victim of harassment by Microsoft? What´s next? Stalking? Sexual assault? XD

blackblades442d ago (Edited 442d ago )

Well the judge agrees with Sony, from what i read and seen its believable MS is desperate obviously.

Bathyj441d ago

Desperation is a stinky Cologne.

TheCaptainKuchiki441d ago

Typical from an American company.

441d ago
Imalwaysright441d ago

HotMoltenLava

https://www.eurogamer.net/s...

"(...) presiding Judge D. Michael Chappell agreed with Sony, saying: "SIE has demonstrated good cause for the requested relief."

Anomander441d ago

Judge hasn't decided:
Update 5:22am ET, February 10: Removed mention of the “MOTION TO LIMIT OR QUASH SUBPOENA” as the matter is still ongoing.

gamer4eternity441d ago

"judge agrees with Sony" no, the FTC themselves has subpoenaed Sony and asked for internal documents does that mean the FTC is also "harassing" Sony?

anubusgold441d ago

@TheCaptainKuchiki Man the Japanese have discriminated against US companies for decades you dont know what you are talking about. Just look up how Fuji film screwed over US photo companies by paying off the government to put so many laws in place that US photo companies couldnt afford to operate in the country.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 441d ago
talocaca441d ago

Did you even read the article? Not sure why Microsoft would need "internal performance reviews" from Sony 🤷‍♂️

So yes, harassment.

crazyCoconuts441d ago

I agree. There's probably no better legal term for when a company is acting like a big D-bag. Internal performance reviews - they're asking for things they know Sony won't give them so they can blame Sony for stalling. Would you be surprised if the "offer" for 10 years of COD was also written up to be completely untenable for Sony, but wrapped in a non-disclosure so they can't even talk about it?

Mr_cheese441d ago ShowReplies(4)
lelo2play441d ago (Edited 441d ago )

Sony are the biggest console gaming company, and yet they always think themselves as the victim. It's like a bully crying when they get bullied.

sinspirit441d ago

"yet they always think themselves as the victim"

Elaborate how Sony has ever consistently said they were victims of anything they weren't. And without exaggeration.

lelo2play441d ago

@sinspirit

You must have very selective memory.
How many times have we seen Sony whining about this Activision Blizzard purchase?... countless times.

Mr_cheese441d ago (Edited 441d ago )

Objecting to a purchase of this scale isn't playing the victim, it is protecting your business and the hard work you've put into it over the decades.

Get a new word because victim isn't it.

lelo2play441d ago (Edited 441d ago )

@Mr_cheese

Sony aren't the victim. In the gaming console business Sony are the bully, and have been the bully for quite some time.

Mr_cheese441d ago (Edited 441d ago )

I'd argue that in this particular case, Microsoft is the bully. Not only to the industry by purchasing up and attempting to make some of the biggest 3rd party games exclusive to their console but when challenged on this bad practice, they then bully the opposition and those that oppose them.

Just look at Koticks interviews this week and how he is threatening the power of China or how he is belittling the UK for opposing the deal.

Look at how Microsoft themselves keep lying and manipulating figures to suit the agenda. One moment they're doing the best in X and X, in the next moment they're at the bottom of the pile and can't compete.

If Microsoft was a person, you'd tell them to piss off.

Edit

This isn't even me being anti Microsoft. I believe that Microsoft joining the game industry was an amazing positive because it really pushed competition and innovation. What I'm against is bad practice, and in this comments section, it's focused on Microsoft

shinoff2183441d ago (Edited 441d ago )

Lelo2play

Sonybisnt acting like a victim in no way. Ms shouldn't act like a victim. Ms has more studios and way more resources to pump into those 23 studios without buying publishers(huge difference then studios)(also people forget they just bought obsidian , inxile and a few others)(sony buys studios that made sony games anyways beside bungie, ms buys studios and publishers of multiplatform games)

And really calling Sony a bully while ms is buying up studios and publishers of multiplatform games just seems asinine for real dude. I'll also add don't throw some bs Sony buying 3rd party exclusives when on most are timed. Ms has done this also since they came into the game. So did sega and Nintendo back in the 90s. So that argument is bs

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 441d ago
RauLeCreuset441d ago

Some regulars here have interesting hot takes that are driven by their love or hatred for a company and avoid pesky obstacles like facts, details, and substance.

Make some attempt to address that the judge agreed with Sony. Try to argue how Sony is being ridiculous for not wanting to share personnel files. Do SOMETHING to show engagement with what is actually going on. Don't pretend it doesn't exist because it's inconvenient, as if we're living in different realities.

DarXyde441d ago (Edited 441d ago )

"Unbelievable! Sony is now victim of harassment by Microsoft? What´s next? Stalking? Sexual assault? XD"

Doubt it. Those aren't the types of harassment that Microsoft would be shaken by. Just ask Bobby.

Onto the article, I found this excerpt interesting:
"At great expense and over an extended period, SIE has deployed delegations of executives, large teams of outside lawyers, and highpriced economists to persuade regulators here and around the world to block Microsoft Corp"

I don't really see the logic here. We're expected to believe that Sony has this much influence with PlayStation to block Microsoft who is not only valued much higher, but also a major, MAJOR company in the US with extreme sway over a largely corporate government. This makes no sense. Microsoft can always outbid Sony and get even better lawyers and economists on retainer. You plan to do something this big and you didn't have an army of lawyers prepared to ensure that it goes through?

C'mon... Sony isn't perfect and their arguments come across as flimsy in some cases, but Microsoft is literally projecting in all of their defenses. "Sony wants to make Xbox small!", "Let us compete!"... Such a joke to me.

Willing to bet if this deal fails, and it just might, Spencer is gonna be out on his lying, overpaid, industry saboteur ass for this.

Hear me now, quote me later.

LuckyDuck12441d ago

"just ask Bobby" 😂 sick burn!

I'll place the same bet with you DarX.

OptimusDK441d ago

#Microsoft to #FTC judge:

"The FTC’s complaint in this action is chock-full of allegations about the effects the deal will have
on [#Sony]’s business. This case is as much about [Sony] as it is about #Xbox and #Activision.

#PlayStation #ActivisionBlizzard $ATVI #antitrust
7.56 PM · 9. feb. 2023
·

-Foxtrot441d ago (Edited 441d ago )

You’re kidding right? You’re taking the p*** ignoring how Microsoft has on purpose made themselves look like the victim by downplaying everything they have done or own

Buuut I bet you don’t care about that right…like how you most likely ignored they recent documents that said Gamepass eats into game sales.

gold_drake441d ago

havent read the article eh?

feel sorry for you.

S2Killinit441d ago

Hmmm havent read what the Judge thinks huh?

But yes we will believe your word over the Judge’s…

Stanjara441d ago

Judging by Activision/Blizzard practices sexual harassment is next.

S2Killinit441d ago

Lmao 😂 that’s the comment of the month

Christopher441d ago

It's frivolous requests, which is a type of harassment in court when done often enough.

YourMommySpoils441d ago (Edited 441d ago )

When you have as much BS as MS, of course they going to cause harassment.

+ Show (14) more repliesLast reply 441d ago
porkChop442d ago

Basically Sony argued that they didn't provide all the data/files MS was asking for because MS was asking for some unreasonable stuff. That's not surprising, lawyers will always try to see how far they can push discovery though it doesn't always work. The judge agreed that MS was asking for too much and so Sony doesn't have to provide certain things.

darthv72441d ago

I swear this is like a bitter custody battle and WE are the kids they are fighting over.

Immagaiden441d ago

Still can’t believe Microsoft would have the nerve to try to get Sony to help it acquire Activision Blizzard

Gunstar75441d ago

Sony has tried their hardest to stop it, so it's hardly a surprise that MS have got a gob on with them

blackblades441d ago (Edited 441d ago )

MS tried quadruple times harder to obtain them. Bobby tried about the same amount to get bought by MS. Should we go back over all the crap from MS since the beginning to compare it to a couple things Sony said and see who tried the hardest and most desperate.

frostypants441d ago (Edited 441d ago )

You understand that the lawsuit was brought by the the FTC, not Sony, right? MS is trying to make this about Sony and the strategy isn't working.

XiNatsuDragnel441d ago (Edited 441d ago )

Sony should counter sue Microsoft for harassment ong.

TheKingKratos441d ago

Lol Microsoft is so desperate now.

Chris12441d ago

Sony are the desperate company trying to stifle what their competitors are doing.

ironmonkey441d ago

I don't think third place is considered competition anymore. Just Nintendo/Sony.

OptimusDK441d ago

@ironmonkey - I guess SONY is disagreeing. They are saying they can not compete if MS gets Activision even though they are clearly the Market leader. It is just pure stupid. We need competition for the sake of all gamers.

Mr_cheese441d ago (Edited 441d ago )

@optimus, explain where the competition is in one company buying up all the big 3rd party publishers with the idea of making all games exclusive?

Competition is a level playing field. Not buying all the land up and stopping the rest from playing on it.

Chris12441d ago

@mr_cheese thats how every business in every field works. Acquisition, expansion, growth. In your analogy you've described what every company does, including Sony. You can't take size into account, it's irrelevant. You either do it, or you don't, and they all do it.

jznrpg441d ago

It’s not just Sony . There is a list of companies who are against this deal and reasonably so. MS can’t make games and they are trying to buy out the industry MS should make some games with their endless money and 20 whatever studios. One multiplat publisher should have been enough but for some reason it isn’t. They need 50 so when half fail they are back to 25 .

Mr_cheese441d ago

Acquisitions happen for sure, but monopolies are throwned upon

shinoff2183441d ago

Optimus

Ms already has more then sony in resources and studios, what else do they need. Man tf up and make some games. They've swallowed up all the western rpgs in zenimax, obsidian, inxile. They have plenty more. Do they really need Activision to compete. No no they don't.

DarXyde441d ago

I think Sony is fighting it as hard as they are because they're aware that it is going to be a sizeable decline in their earnings. Also, didn't the announcement tank Sony's stock? It makes sense they're fighting it this hard. They're certainly determined, and perhaps some of that is desperation. But if they were truly desperate, a deal would have been reached. Sony is simply saying "No".

But it is also desperate to consume large publishers (they already have the most studios) and throw games on XGP and use those newly acquired IPs as bargaining chips to give access to them to gain prominence in the industry. I don't know why any gamer wants this endeavor to succeed. You're willing to cause industry damage to get CoD day one at no extra cost?

Seems a bit monopolistic, honestly.

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 441d ago
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290°

Microsoft’s Surface and Xbox hardware revenues take a big hit in Q3

Microsoft just posted the third quarter of its 2024 fiscal financial results. The software maker made $61.9 billion in revenue and a net income of $21.9 billion during Q3. Revenue is up 17 percent, and net income has increased by 20 percent.

Read Full Story >>
theverge.com
darthv721d 9h ago

Xbox content + services up 62% while hardware down 31%... seems about right with the way they tout you don't need the hardware to play. People can play on their phones or smart tv or other means. I don't hardly play on my consoles directly since getting devices like the logitech g-cloud and ps portal. Which is to also say I have been playing more digital than physical because of these devices.

solideagle20h ago

you should apply in MS PR team buddy, I think you will do a great job in my humble opinion :)

Sonic188117h ago

I thought darthv72 and Obscure_Observer already work for Microsoft 🤔

dveio17h ago

MS: "Xbox services and content without AB up 1%, with AB up 62%. Hardware down 31%. In total a loss of 350 mill."

darthv72: "Seems about right."

MS: "Excuse m ..."

darthv72: "I don't hardly play on my consoles directly."

MS:

Lightning7712h ago

What he said was facts. How he plays games is no concern of you. Don't get too mad about it.

Cacabunga20h ago

I can tell people like you are an absolute minority..

If service is up means their fans and fanboys accepted this model and subscribed to it. The near future you will see a big decline because the service is saturated.

darthv726h ago

to you it may seem like the minority... but your bubble is shrinking because more and more are following suit. convenience is a hell of a drug and its also why physical sales only amount to 30% of overall game sales. times are changing, you either get with them or you get left behind.

neutralgamer19921h ago

Darth

30% physical sales: yet Phil and xbox division are in a rush go give up on that 30%. they don't have any right to give up any piece of the pie since the control such a little of the pie to begin with

also, the market is clearly speaking that the model Xbox is pushing isn't working right now the keyword being right now. you are right about freedom to play anywhere so i hope they put their games on steam

shinoff218319h ago

But that's been ms for years. When things aren't going their way they try to change the way things are said. For instance console sales are down, they stop telling how many sold instead telling us how many hours spent in halo or headshots. So it makes sense console sales down just say people are playing on more devices then previous. What they won't say is how many xbox players jumped ship to ps5.

Cacabunga18h ago

Hardware sales are so bad that Sony and Nintendo are blowing the sales off the water with their hardware.

If Xbox are losers, others aren’t..
Xbox already tried everything with Xbox live then subscriptions went down so much that they had to find something else. Their fans subscribed then reached saturation rather quickly.

Hardware and exclusive games is where it’s at! Keep gamers excited, announce decent software and people will support you

itsmebryan14h ago

@shin
Well keep it simple Sony 's operating income is down 26% and Microsoft's is up 32%. No MS spin there, just facts. 😉
Cheers

S2Killinit6h ago

MS is after diminishing consoles as a medium. They want to destroy this market because they couldnt win. MS’s vision is to dissolve console gaming.

romulus2313h ago

Odd that a company that touts you dont need the hardware to play is already touting another console in the works.

darthv7212h ago

They are not reliant on the HW but still want to maintain a presence (no matter how small) is a good thing. It shows commitment to the craft. It reminds me of SNK and how they made games for their own hardware (Neo Geo) while also making them for others because they knew there was a market to do so. They knew they would sell more to others but also sell to their own niche fan base.

TheEroica6h ago(Edited 6h ago)

Perfectly reasonable post down voted by insecure corporation friendly folk.... But not gamers. Real gamer want accessibility and ease of acquisition for all.... Company shills are the only ones still telling us that hardware locking people from games is good for us.

Chevalier1h ago

@Darth

You should stop parroting metrics like an idiot without context.

"Xbox content and services revenue grew 62% in Q3 from a year earlier, “driven by 61 points of net impact” from the purchase of the third-party video game giant, Microsoft said."

61 of the 62% was from their merger so net increase is ONLY 1%

https://www.mesaonline.org/...

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 1h ago
purple10122h ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos22h ago

I'm not surprised surface is struggling they aren't relevant anymore

DOMination-12h ago

In the last two years they've started exiting the consumer market altogether. All of the newest Surface products are business models only. They can't seem to work out what they want to do with it.

XBManiac21h ago

Too expensive hardware when others offer the same or more for less? Good work, Green Team.

SimpleDad21h ago(Edited 21h ago)

"Despite some early successes for Xbox games on rival platforms, Xbox hardware is down by a massive 31 percent this quarter."
"Without Activision Blizzard, Microsoft’s overall gaming revenue would have actually declined this quarter."
"Xbox content and services would have only been up a single percent without Activision Blizzard..."
"It looks like next quarter is going to be a similar story for gaming at Microsoft, too."

That is crazy... so A/B/K is carrying the whole Xbox gaming.
Oh and Microsoft will be fine. Windows, Office and Cloud are growing with each pc purchase.

purple10121h ago

Activision: "we gonna need a bigger rucksack/backpack please"

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

Profchaos20h ago(Edited 20h ago)

Top brass have also wanted to start seeing returns on the 100 billion they have put into various Xbox related moves so seeing more multiplatform games is highly likely especially from abk

It's basically saying that PlayStation is the reason Xbox is afloat right now thinks to Ps5 versions of COD

Kornholic19h ago

So basically PS and PC gamers' money is keeping Xbox on life support.

MrDead12h ago

The only growth MS will get out of the console industry is if it supports it's rivals platforms. Xbox is a pointless machine now. I can see them on a big push for live next, and they won't give up on trying to buy Steam.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 12h ago
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80°

Razer Kishi Ultra Review - Remote Play and Mobile Gaming Goes XL

PSLS writes: I have traveled across the country using the Razer Kishi Ultra in airports and hotels for both PlayStation Remote Play and mobile gaming in general, and I am thoroughly impressed.

Read Full Story >>
playstationlifestyle.net
150°

Sony Patents To Prevent You From In-Game Harassment By Reading Your Emotions

A new patent recently published by Sony wants to gather biometric data of gamers to track whether one is being harassed using AI tools.

Profchaos1d 22h ago (Edited 1d 22h ago )

I hope this is one of those patents that never comes to fruition.

I already dislike the fact you can pay a significant amount for a online service buy associated games and content on said service and get banned from that service over potentially a misunderstanding the bans are already handed out for flimsy reasons

I'd rather see money invested in a ban that simply removes the offensive players ability to communicate with unknown players allow them to continue party chats with friends but not with Joe blow on cod.

exputers1d 19h ago

Agreed. Blizzard recently banned a college Overwatch 2 player who's dependent for saying "shit." Pretty harsh.

Profchaos1d 3h ago (Edited 1d 3h ago )

How rediculas really. You can't say a word that's allowed in most PG films and prime time TV but the game is based around killing the enemy team using guns, explosives etc.

It's just backwards.

just_looken1d 5h ago

What your talking about is called block list

In 2006 a spaceship dropped of the playstation 3/xbox 360 i say that that generation was the last great gen with game functions/tech that has yet to comeback

Anyhow the playstation 3 if you block listed a id they could not talk to you in chatroom with either text or voice. But that was pre mind fucked 2018 when people were more human than sheep.

But hey gta 6 is coming out billion dollar budget without a single player custom character creator and without singeplayer coop off/online something saints row 1-3 had on the xbox 360.

z2g1d 15h ago

Take my social security and bank account numbers too! Here’s a picture of my wife and our address.

phoenixwing1d 14h ago

Cmon where's the pictures of your children. Don't hold out on them.

H91d 15h ago

At this rate I feel Sony will eventually sell a room to play games in it where they can monitor your every breath

jambola1d 11h ago

I genuinely get a bit worried sometimes when a friend says something that could be offensive In a party
Because I have no trouble believing some bans would happen when in a private party for saying something wrong

SegaSaturn6691d 14h ago

I want them to censor erotic content by measuring my groin temperature so i dont get too distracted while playing black ops 2.

Popsicle1d 13h ago

Terrible idea. Not only do I not consent to providing my biometric data, the potential for mishandling biometric data is almost a certainty. Positive stress and negative stress can produce similar changes in biometrics. Interpreting the precise emotion a person is feeling is not only invasive but could be easily misconstrued. I hope this never comes to fruition.

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