According to Windows Central, the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published the responses of nine companies to Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, including Microsoft and Activision Blizzard itself, with six of the other seven companies saying they favor the deal.
Can you guess which one is not in favor? That’s right, Sony. In its response, Sony reiterated its position that Call of Duty is an important factor in competing in the console market. Sony also went on to claim that “Microsoft has an incentive to restrict Call of Duty to other platforms”, citing “Microsoft’s past acquisitions” as evidence. In fact, however, this week alone, Microsoft has made several deals with cloud gaming platforms such as Boosteroid and Ubitus to bring Call of Duty to other platforms.
In stark contrast is what another (smaller) third-party developer, 4J Studios, said in its response, “We see the Activision Blizzard acquisition as nothing more than a natural part of the industry’s evolution, and does not raise any concerns about our own future opportunities.”
The CMA is currently conducting the second phase of its investigation into the acquisition. In its interim findings last month, the CMA determined that the merger could harm competition and that it will make a final finding on the deal by April 26.
Microsoft announced last January that it was buying Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion (currently about RMB 474.03 billion) in cash, and the deal is expected to close next spring if it gets regulatory and shareholder approval.
