I had a feeling this might happen, but when big companies merge or acquire others, both the gaming industry and players can face unexpected challenges…? I'd like to share this story with you💭
Recently, Microsoft laid off thousands of employees and significantly increased the price of its game subscription service "Game Pass," leaving users wondering, "Wait, why so suddenly?" 😳✨
But this isn't just about cost-cutting or price hikes—it seems to be related to last year's big news: the Activision-Blizzard acquisition.
What Was the Activision-Blizzard Acquisition?
Simply put, Microsoft bought the major game company Activision-Blizzard outright🎮
This company makes super popular games like 'Call of Duty' and 'World of Warcraft'💡
You might think, "Wow, they're getting stronger!" but regulatory authorities and the former FTC (Federal Trade Commission) chair were actually concerned about this acquisition⚠️
What Former FTC Chair Lina Khan Wanted to Say
Lina Khan was the former official who monitored the impact of such deals💼
She had been saying from the start that "this acquisition is bad for both gamers and game developers" 😮💨
Here are some reasons why👇
- When big corporations monopolize the market, competition decreases
- Less competition makes it harder for new, interesting games to emerge
- It often leads to employee layoffs and worsening working conditions
- Service prices are more likely to increase
Are the Game Pass Price Hike and Layoffs Exactly That Outcome?
Recent news about Microsoft laying off many employees and raising Game Pass monthly fees is said to be influenced by the costs and business strategies of this major acquisition🧠💭
In other words, when big companies become too powerful, we users can end up losing out too…🥺
Why Does This Happen? Let's Think About It
Since the gaming industry is also part of the business world, prioritizing profits might be inevitable.
But it's still kind of sad when the people who make and play the games we love aren't happy, right?🌸
As a fellow game lover, I really hope the gaming industry becomes a healthier and more enjoyable place✨
To Summarize…
- Microsoft's massive layoffs and Game Pass price increases are largely influenced by the Activision-Blizzard acquisition
- Former FTC Chair Lina Khan had warned about this, essentially saying "I knew it"
- When big corporations dominate, it can negatively impact game quality and services
- As game fans, we want the industry to be more diverse and free
This got a bit serious, but I think it's actually kind of interesting to learn about the behind-the-scenes of the gaming industry through news like this🥰✨
Hatena
Comments
ハンナ
They're also doing a $365 price increase. Apparently last year wasn't enough.
ワット
Let's cancel Game Pass.
ジャック
Thinking about how many more big mergers like this will happen by 2028 is honestly scary.
ロバート
Canceling was super easy and hardly any trouble at all.
ノーラン
The only ones who couldn't predict this were 12-year-old Xbox fans who know nothing about Microsoft.
ハンナ
Companies always do cold things to consumers... This is just the usual news.
キンバリー
Let's vote not just for the president but also for the bureaucrats who actually run the country.
クリス
Lina Khan was the best choice in the Biden administration—she was on the consumers' side, not the capitalists'.
ベン
'We won't raise prices, no problem'—Microsoft says it's fine!... That's a joke, right?
レオ
Gamers can vote with their wallets, but they probably won't.
エイダン
You can be happy without Activision's games, and there are tons of interesting indie games out there.
グレース
Microsoft was planning to raise Game Pass prices regardless of whether they acquired Activision or not.
ミア
Prime and Netflix have been raising prices continuously, and even though some people complain and cancel, the user base keeps growing.
サム
I hope the next president will crush monopolies thoroughly like Roosevelt did, like cockroaches.
ハンナ
EA is about to transform into another terrible casino-like game company again.
ノーラン
Microsoft buys game companies, cancels projects, and fires employees. It feels like they're trying to destroy the entire industry out of frustration with Xbox's failures.
ジョージ
Congressional hearings are just a farce. Everyone escapes with 'I don't know,' 'I don't remember,' 'I'll send it later,' and nothing ever changes.
