While Microsoft’s primary reason for purchasing Activision Blizzard is not Call of Dutybut king’s team specializing in mobile games, the most talked about about the future of the popular shooter on PlayStation consoles. Sony fears the loss of the Golden Pig, and Xbox officials announce that Call of Duty will continue to be released on the PlayStation.
To reassure Sony, Microsoft offered the Japanese company a ten-year contract on 11/11/2022. This should ensure that Call of Duty will be released on the PlayStation for another ten years.. The previous warranty was three years after the expiration of the current agreement with Activision, and this was not enough for Sony representatives.
Phil Spencer, head of Microsoft’s gaming division, told the NY Times that back in January, senior Xbox officials spoke with the head of Sony to confirm that they were not going to remove Call of Duty from PlayStation consoles. It was the first phone call that Spencer and Satya (the head of all Microsoft) had made since the acquisition announcement.
“After nearly 20 years of Call of Duty on PlayStation, their offering was inadequate in many ways and did not consider the impact on our players. We want PlayStation players to continue to have access to the highest quality Call of Duty, and Microsoft’s proposal undermines that principle.” Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan commented on Microsoft’s initial proposal.
Sony is overstating the importance of Call of Duty, Microsoft saysdid you even have hire a consulting firmarrange meetings at the Capitol and ensure that US officials block the acquisition.
Source: MicrosoftThe European Commission has launched a thorough investigation into the acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
Microsoft officials go as far as accusing it, stating that Sony influences powerwho decide whether to approve or reject an acquisition. Sony’s Jim Ryan fights back, saying that It is not true. Sony was not supposed to influence or manipulate anyone.
Microsoft is a tech giant with a long history of industry dominance, Ryan said, and it’s highly likely that the opportunities that players have today will disappear if the deal goes through. But then he declined to comment on the new deal that Microsoft put forward.
Investigation on impact on economic competition launched 16 regulators worldwide and so far the deal has only been approved in Brazil and Saudi Arabia. In particular, the decision of the European Commission, the British Antimonopoly Office and the US Federal Commission is expected. The EU competition authorities must make a decision by March 23, 2023.
According to unofficial information, Sony is trying to block the acquisition due to subscriptions. Xbox Game Pass, which will also include Activision Blizzard and Call of Duty games, which will be available there on the day of the release of the new part. This may cause an exodus of players from the PlayStation. Microsoft rejects this and points out that Sony also has important exclusive rights.
Microsoft awaits approval to buy Activision Blizzard until summer 2023. If the deal is blocked, Microsoft must pay Activision Blizzard $3 billion.
Source :Indian TV
