According to Sony’s newest declaration, Microsoft’s Call of Duty contract “would irreversibly undermine competition.” In an effort to thwart Microsoft’s purchase of Activision Blizzard, Sony has done everything in its power to put the deal on hold.
The relationship between Sony and Microsoft soured after it was revealed that Microsoft wants to buy Activision Blizzard. Sony’s hostility stems from the fact that Activision Blizzard develops Call of Duty, which contributes significantly to PlayStation’s popularity. Sony now has an agreement with Activision under which PlayStation owners get preferential treatment when it comes to Call of Duty material. Since it seems that this arrangement will expire in 2024, Sony is doing all in its power to prevent Microsoft from completing its transaction with Activision. Sony previously stated that their objection was motivated by a concern that Microsoft would make Call of Duty an Xbox exclusive, but this has subsequently been refuted. Microsoft has already secured a 10-year agreement with Nintendo and Nvidia to deliver Call of Duty to their gamers and has offered the same arrangement to Sony.
New statement from Sony, says Microsoft's current Call of Duty offer "will irreparably harm competition" and says it was Microsoft that requested redactions of the public filing of the deal it offered to PlayStation pic.twitter.com/5rztGqTvku
— Stephen Totilo (@stephentotilo) March 10, 2023
But, in its most recent argument, Sony claims that this acquisition will harm competition to the point of no return and goes on to explain why. SIE has revealed a redacted version of the notes it sent to the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority, in which it discusses its reservations over Microsoft’s 10-year arrangement. Sony also alleged that certain facts were removed at Microsoft’s request. According to this paper, Sony says that since it expressed its worries about the Activision transaction, Microsoft has made no substantial actions to address those issues. According to SIE, the proposed arrangement fails to give “sufficient protection” by not providing “equal access to Call of Duty.” This, according to Sony, shows Microsoft’s true objective, which is to utilise Call of Duty to control the gaming industry.
Responses to this remark were mixed, with most commentators siding with Microsoft. Several gamers believe Sony is deliberately delaying its steps to scupper the agreement for no apparent reason. CCO of Activision Lulu Cheng Meservey’s statements were also brought up when she asserted a few days earlier that Microsoft gave Sony a lot better deal than Activision would have done. However several people expressed real concern that Microsoft is a danger to gaming.
Many players seem to be bored of Sony’s objections, given that several rivals have already accepted the agreement Sony argues would do irreparable harm. At this moment, it seems like Sony is losing support by continuing to oppose the Activision merger.
