Former FTC chairman after an increase in Game Pass: we warned that Microsoft and Activision will damage players – Indian

Do you still remember the dispute between the US Federal Business Commission (FTC) and Microsoft? The acquisition regulators Activision Blizzard King warned and warned that the connection of the two giants would lead to less competition, a higher price and dismissal.

Former FTC chairman Lin Khan, of course, noticed that her words occurred. In recent months, Microsoft increased the Xbox console, gradually released and has now significantly increased the price of the game and changed the proposed tariffs.

Lina Khan, who headed the FTC from 2021 to 2024 and tried to block the Microsoft and Activision Blizzard connection, recalled that the company claimed the opposite in 2023. “Microsoft clearly stated in court that the Activision Blizzard account will not lead to an increase in the prices for a game pass,”. She wrote on a social network. “What do we see today?

According to the khan, this development is not surprising – According to her, a similar scenario accompanies each basic market consolidationField “When dominant companies become too large to take care of customers, an increase in prices and a violation of services is often observed.” She added that Microsoft steps damage both players and developers.

Bloomberg, meanwhile, indicated that Microsoft voluntarily refused more than $ 300 million last year from Call of Duty Sales on consoles and PCThe agency found this from a former employee. This may be one of the factors why he is now looking for new ways to increase income. Indeed, the new parts of Call of Duty will be available only in the most expensive Ultimate Variant game passes. The question is when they get to Game Pass Premium, because they are not promised even in one year of the game.

Blizzard Activision for $ 69 billion was completed after the US court rejected the FTC request for temporary measures. Although the commission tried to change the decision, she definitely put her resistance this spring. At that time, the President of Microsoft Brad Smith called the result “the victory of common sense and players throughout the country.”