EU Commission Employee Frustrates Xbox Fans With Ill-Advised Call Of Duty Comment

Just because he isn't part of the decision, that does not mean he doesn't influence decision. Regardless, it is very unprofessional!

@Dr_Luigi

To give you an idea, I am Game Pass subscriber, and I would like to see older CoD titles appear there (I know that new titles are likely to be blocked legally from GP for a few years), also I'm Blizzard games fan, so I want to see Diablo 4 on GP too. Also MS is going to own two largest MMORPG by playerbase in history, currently owned ESO and WoW after merger - who knows what new MMORPG they could come up with having so much talent employed?

And I'm just one person, I'm sure there many other people who care for their own reasons. It's called being a fan or enthusiast of an ecosystem (similar how Apple fans follow anything Apple related), there is nothing wrong with it.

Hopefully it will give you an idea.

His final comment clarifies and makes this story redundant.

Basically, then, this was just an ill-advised comment on Twitter from someone who isn't actually involved in the investigation, so don't take it too seriously!

So why make an article on it then?

@Dr_Luigi I would like to have all the catalogue of Activision Blizzard on game pass

@Dr_Luigi

Maybe I don't want to overpay for games, and want to pay for subscription instead, without having to wait for sales? I pay for Netflix, Prime, Disney+ and bought Xbox instead of PlayStation just because of Game Pass. ABK deal is a big boost to Game Pass ecosystem.

There is nothing strange or ridiculous about it. Is there anything you care about in your life, that other people don't? Think about it and you will reach an enlightenment.

@Dr_Luigi few reasons:

At least some chance of Nintendo Switch seeing Call of Duty games, in some form (even if cloud version only) if Xbox takes over.

Another reason is for Xbox owners to finally get full versions of CoD day one, as it stands Sony keeps locking marketing deals and securing exclusive modes, something they can do a lot easier because of their leading position on the industry.

There is also caring about the terrible AB conditions that Kotick keeps fostering, and moving under an HR department that does not exist nearly exclusively to protect toxic bro management.

And as others told, there is also getting these games on game pass, not just so they are “free” but also so they can be streamed.

@Dr_Luigi I care because I don’t want all these Activision teams stuck in the COD mines, and current ActiBlizz management is responsible for that.

But yeah, this news story is a nothing burger.

@Tharsman

I totally forgot about evil garden gnome Kotick, getting rid of him will be a nice bonus.

maybe MS should buy Atlus instead. cheaper and more jRPGs

This was all so much better and more enjoyable in the Wii, Xbox360 and PS3 era.
Simple gaming no real services like game pass etc. Many multi platform games and many exclusive games for each console.
We had game after game and exclusive after exclusive for each console.
So much straighter and easy to understand.
Probably one of the golden years of gaming especially for Xbox360 and the Wii and finally the PS3.

@Sebatrox Doubt SEGA is selling.

@Dr_Luigi

I value entertainment the games provide. Current trend of charging 70$ or more is not sustainable, especially during global recession. Those companies that cannot see it, will lose customers and will go the way of Blockbuster.

@Dr_Luigi I know people that work there, things are not going to change without someone simply taking over because Kotick is not going anywhere otherwise. Hell, I’m not sure if he would go anywhere should AB be acquired by many others with the money to go through with it.

Even if we ignore that one point,the other things, I argue are good reasons for xbox and Nintendo fans to be invested on the deal, and it becomes very frustrating when regulatory bodies communicated reason to want to scrutinize the deal further is simply “protect the market leader”, something that is completely opposite to the reason they exist.

@Sakisa I hope MS will grab Sega someday or at least some of their IPs.

@Dr_Luigi And I see you bending over backwards to invalidate the reasons myself and others may care about this deal after you said ‘I don’t get why people care about this deal.’

Getting Kotick out is a good thing. Getting more variety and stability afforded to these dev teams is a good thing. It doesn’t NEED to be MS for me to care, but they’re the only one in this industry with a checkbook big enough to buy this publisher and get rid of blood sucking Bobby.

@Dr_Luigi

"I can't be huge fan of games" without paying exorbitant prices? Says who? You? It's your opinion, not a fact.

I feel like you are being deliberately obtuse to cause strong reaction. Even after numerous reasons given to you by several posters why people care about ABK deal, you still hold the line. Why? Sometimes it's better to take L, than lose face even further.

@Dr_Luigi Considering Kotick is a vile man who allowed sexual and physical abuse to happen under his watch to such an extreme degree it resulted in a suicide…

Yeah. I would like to see him gone. I also doubt MS could do worse than what I listed above but you’re free to think Xbox enables sexual predators if you want.

@Dr_Luigi even if you want to distill it down to Xbox, I already listed a few reasons why Xbox players would be invested on this deal.

1) CoD does not launch feature complete on Xbox.
2) All of AB back catalog added to GP.
3) even if you buy the games, the ability to stream all AB games, CoD included.

I don’t think it’s unreasonable for Xbox players to look forward to this acquisition to go through.

@Dr_Luigi

If Microsoft owns ABK, surely it's Microsoft's decision how to generate income? ABK games won't be valued "in pennies", developers will get their salaries paid, CEOs will get their fat checks, hell, even Kotick will get his golden parachute.

@Dr_Luigi Oh, him getting off scot free sucks, but at least he won’t be in a position to allow abuse to happen on this scale again.

We sadly don’t live in a world of ideals where unionization in the game industry is a sure thing. It should happen but leeches like Kotick will fight against it with every fiber of their being.

Reset the clock. Back to 0 days since PureXbox posted some fanboy baiting article about the takeover

I mean, this doesn't help the situation.

Sure, this person isn't a part of the decision-making process; but in a PlayStation dominated market, it certainly calls into question bias given that the UK is the one place where scrutiny is at its highest.

@Dr_Luigi all your absurd rambling and purposefully ignorant comments about "not knowing why fans would care about Microsoft buying Activision" is answered in two easy words. GAME PASS!
Like are you kidding me? What happened when Microsoft bought Bethesda? Oh look, the games went on GAME PASS. Accusing people of not valuing a game because they are hoping they could get it on GAME PASS instead is such a ridiculous comment. People are obviously, excited about the potential of more value for their subscription.
"wHy wOuLd Netflix subscribers care if they bought a popular movie studio!?#! Don't they value those movies enough to pay full price instead?+!/" smh...

Another incompetent dummy. Why noone look in this? Where is the heck law! Ofcouse the are all sonyfanboys)

@Dr_Luigi They want it for consoles wars let's be real.

@GhanaViking exactly right mate. You took the words out of my mouth. This person has the influence in that position to sway judgement. Not many people realise that and it's important for people to keep scrutinising this person as they literally work with the people responsible for judgement they're all colleagues at the end of the day.

What a moronic statement to make in the midst of a heavily scrutinized merger. You'd think he'd know better, no? 😑 Muppet.

The usual snowflakes melting over a throw away comment from someone not related to process.

However IGN editor deeply unprofessional and showing bias by waging in. Will in the future be weary of anything IGN say and do. IGN should really stay neutral and certainly not be encouraging less third party titles. Deeply concerning but unsurprising from the gaming “media” which in recent years have become a bias paid “influencer” style sham of what it was. Fortunately we have to protect the good ones. No shade at anyone at Pure Xbox - it’s called pure Xbox. You be as bias as you like it’s why we are here.

@Dr_Luigi Showing your true colors there bub

@Stocksy Kinda funny of you to say that when the main stream media loves to suck at the teet of Playstation all the time.

@Dr_Luigi

People have reasons to care about it. You don't understand them. No comment of yours will change that people care and apparently no comment from people with reasons will change your not understanding. Move on.

@Stocksy Totally respect your comment and opinion, but I wouldn't say the majority of people here are biased. Quite the contrary in fact.

I've seen many frequenters here consistently shaming Xbox for their practices when it comes to how they run their studios, how few 1P games there are, and how the high ups suck up to PS studios.

I don't think many people here are blind to the fact that Xbox could be doing much better these days.

@Dr_Luigi

If like you say, you don't care about any of this, then why do you bother making a comment at all? Why walk in the middle of heated discussion/argument, and be like "hey guys, I don't care about any of this, look at me!" and then start giving your unsolicited opinions about something you don't care about?

Also, "fuel little fanboys"? It's troll baiting at this point.

@Dr_Luigi

That's not what I meant. The debate about EU regulators and conflict of interest transcends Purexbox. It's everywhere, Reddit, Twitter, gaming forums etc.

@Dr_Luigi @grumpypotato

I'm madly in love with you both 😘

I think we need to stop using terms like "console wars", "fanboys", or using word "gamer" with negative connotations. Because "toxic indifference" (my made up term for all holier than thou moralising individuals) is what adds fuel to fire. Let the people be happy with their hobby and platform without being called out for it or constantly reminded how much others don't care.

There is much more drama in sports teams than console camps, yet it's seen as normal.

I find all this really interesting and hope the updates continue. I really enjoy looking at this website, although it's fair to say that not every single topic covered interests me. I've discovered that if I don't want to read about a specific subject I can bypass that content entirely by simply not clicking on it. It's a great feature, and one that seemingly isn't getting the recognition it deserves.

@grumpypotato 'Current trend of charging 70$ or more is not sustainable' ... The latest call of duty is the best selling one yet & made a billion $ within 10 days it very obviously is sustainable 😂

@Kharjo top comment 😂

@Would_you_kindly Well it's only that price on PS5, not on Xbox or PC.

@Acurisur no it isnt it's £70 on all platforms https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-ii#purchaseoptions

@Dr_Luigi Thank you Dr 😍 xox

@Would_you_kindly You didn't do much research there did you pal? It's £59.99 on Steam

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1938090/Call_of_Duty_Modern_Warfare_II/

@Would_you_kindly it's £70 on playstation and xbox store, but £60 on steam. But unlike PC you can also buy the game physical which costs £59.99 on PS5. If you buy physical then you're never paying £70 for a ps5 game.

@Acurisur well you didn't do much research when you said it's only £70 on ps5 when it isn't

@Kaloudz I meant the articles. We expect a Xbox slant to the Xbox in articles and reporting here. Not the comments but to be fair you get people that are blinkered to proxbox over anything in comments and that’s understandable. You own one console and it’s an Xbox it makes sense. I’m not mad at that at all.

I’m not a fan of console wars at all. I own all three top models and steam deck.

But I understand why you have people that are fans of one only and I am fine with it. I think too much of the gaming media is too pro one or the other and often lacks balance. Which is a shame.

@Stocksy Oh yeah in that case I get what you're saying. Xbox-specific sites don't tend to heavily bash Xbox when they deserve it. Believe me, many a people here would champion that sort of outlet. Silence is complicity, as is ignorance. Much won't change until some noise is made, and it's unfortunate that, despite fan outcry, there aren't many outlets that are willing to dump on MS.

@Acurisur looking at in on the Xbox store right now and the cheapest version of MW2 is £69.99

PS Is the most popular console. It is very hard for me to believe that biased opinions are not involved in some of the questions and preasures microsoft are now seeing.

This guy is an absolute idiot!

You can not make biased comments publicly while working for/with the EU commission and not expect to cause controversy...Jim Ryan probably paid for his exotic holiday 😉😅😅.
All he did its reinforced the perceived PlayStation bias possibly permeating the highest levels of decision(even if he's not involved) making in this already contentious ABK-Microsoft deal.
I'm glad the gaming media reports on matters like this.

He was being absolutely unprofessional then! If it's not even his department he should have kept his mouth shut instead of showing to the world his total bias! Typical EU parliament stooge. Why comment on something as an official representative in a totally biased way when it has nothing to do with you??.. so he claims....

Seemed like a harmless joke. I think folks are getting a bit too upset about this.

This acquisition is not that good for Xbox, but probably good for PC and mobile games.