It’s been over a year since Microsoft drop the bomb announcing the purchase of Activision Blizzard. However, this acquisition has not yet been approved by all the regulatory bodies in charge of evaluating it.
The CMA, known as UK Competition and Markets Authority has vigorously protested this move by Microsoft over the past few months and recently opposed the purchase in an interim verdict.
The regulatory body has commented that the deal by Activision Blizzard could “hurt gamers and lead to higher prices, fewer options, or less innovation”. However, some analysts know that the big M could end up taking the cat into the water.
The battle for Activision Blizzard intensifies although there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel
This is based on a report by Wedbush Securities analysts Nick McKay and Michael Pachter (via Games Industry) explaining that the CMA “He knows that he has lost the legal battle.” However, it is not ruled out that Microsoft has to give up on some points (such as the exclusivity of Call of Duty).
And meanwhile, the blows continue to be interspersed. Sony and Microsoft are still locked in a particular crossover of accusations. This time it was the turn of PlayStation and it is that recently, Sony has accused Microsoft of “blatant harassment.”
An Axios report notes that Microsoft wanted to see the files of Sony executives in the wake of the FTC’s lawsuit. Sony’s response was a motion that went so far as to say that Microsoft’s demand for performance reviews for SIE leadership was obvious harassment.
Activision Blizzard Describes Sony as “The First of Us” to Justify They Don’t Need FTC Protection
The judge ended up agreeing with Sony on this particular point, but the accusations by the other side have not been long in coming. They mention that the company is trying to sabotage the agreement between Microsoft and Activision Blizzard.
The controversial CEO of Activision, Bobby Kotick, commented the following: I think this is all Sony trying to sabotage the transaction. The whole idea that we’re not going to support a PlayStation or that Microsoft wouldn’t support the PlayStation is absurd.
And meanwhile, the SEC has fined Activision Blizzard $35 million for its handling of the lawsuits. Do you think that the purchase of Microsoft will end up being carried out? How much longer could the final verdict be delayed?
