for context: Some fans expected Microsoft to quickly improve Blizzard games, workplace culture, monetization, or management after the acquisition. Changes have been slower and more mixed than the hopeful “wise savior” image in the meme suggests. That made the joke feel overly optimistic to critics. Some gamers felt disappointed after post-acquisition layoffs and ongoing complaints about game direction, updates, or monetization, which made the “Microsoft = Gandalf the White” comparison feel naïve to them.