Activision Blizzard CEO Claims Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO is Blocking Merger with Microsoft
An executive at Activision Blizzard has claimed that the CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment is committed to blocking the company’s merger with Microsoft, potentially at the expense of PlayStation’s access to Call of Duty.
Microsoft is currently attempting to acquire Activision Blizzard, but claims it doesn’t plan on making the games exclusive to the Xbox Series X|S. To guarantee this and appeal to the UK government’s Competition and Markets Authority, which approves company mergers that may create unfair monopolies, Microsoft reportedly offered Sony a ten-year agreement to ensure Call of Duty would continue to release on PlayStation consoles.
However, according to an Activision executive, head of PlayStation Jim Ryan refused this offer, saying “I don’t want a new Call of Duty deal. I just want to block your merger.”
Microsoft’s ongoing attempt to acquire Activision Blizzard is on hold following a lawsuit undertaken by the Federal Trade Commission of the United States. The FTC exists to enforce antitrust laws that seek to prevent the formation of monopolies. The FTC filed the suit on the grounds that Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard “would enable Microsoft to suppress competitors to its Xbox gaming consoles.”
The UK Government’s CMA has provisionally found that Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard would substantially reduce competition in gaming consoles to the detriment of gamers. This finding makes it commercially beneficial for Microsoft to make Call of Duty exclusive to Xbox. Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) is keen on preventing the acquisition, and Ryan’s alleged statement is surprisingly mercenary in its treatment of the Call of Duty franchise.
Executive Decisions
The UK Government’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has provisionally found that Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard would substantially reduce competition in gaming consoles to the detriment of gamers. This finding makes it commercially beneficial for Microsoft to make Call of Duty exclusive to Xbox. Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) is keen on preventing the acquisition, and Ryan’s alleged statement is surprisingly mercenary in its treatment of the Call of Duty franchise.
The Impact of the Acquisition
The acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft would have a significant impact on the gaming industry. The merger would reduce competition in gaming consoles, which would be detrimental to gamers. The CMA’s provisional finding highlights the potential negative impact of the acquisition.
The Call of Duty Franchise
The Call of Duty franchise is one of the most popular video game franchises in the world. The franchise has a loyal fan base, and its popularity has continued to grow over the years. The franchise has been available on multiple platforms, including Xbox and PlayStation.
Sony’s Response
Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) is keen on preventing the acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft. SIE’s CEO, Jim Ryan, allegedly stated that if the acquisition goes through, SIE will consider removing the Call of Duty franchise from PlayStation. This statement is surprisingly mercenary in its treatment of the franchise.
Conclusion
The UK Government’s CMA has provisionally found that Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard would substantially reduce competition in gaming consoles to the detriment of gamers. Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) is keen on preventing the acquisition, and Ryan’s alleged statement is surprisingly mercenary in its treatment of the Call of Duty franchise. The acquisition would have a significant impact on the gaming industry, and the CMA’s provisional finding highlights the potential negative impact of the acquisition.In a recent tweet, an Activision executive responded to a quote from Sony regarding Microsoft’s potential release of a PlayStation version of Call of Duty. The quote from Sony claimed that bugs and errors could emerge, and any remedy would come too late, causing the gaming community to lose confidence in PlayStation as the go-to venue to play Call of Duty. This statement has raised concerns about the potential for Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard to create illegal monopolies, with Call of Duty being a significant focus.
To ease the concerns of antitrust bodies, Microsoft and Nintendo entered into a historic Call of Duty agreement, committing to bringing the FPS juggernaut to Nintendo consoles. However, Jim Ryan’s alleged statement suggests that Call of Duty could be little more than a means to an end for Sony, potentially revealing the cutthroat and mercenary nature of the corporate world.
It remains unclear whether Ryan’s statement is genuine, and we have reached out to Sony for confirmation. Regardless, the emphasis on Call of Duty by both Sony and Microsoft highlights the importance of the franchise in the gaming industry.
If you want to stay up-to-date with the latest tech news, sign up for our daily newsletter, featuring breaking news, reviews, opinion, analysis, deals, and more. Our staff writer, Cat Bussell, brings you coverage from all corners of the video game world, with a love for rich narratives and emergent gameplay. With three degrees and experience as a political advisor and academic, Cat is uniquely qualified to pick apart the juiciest video games for your reading pleasure.
Meet Cat, the Gaming Enthusiast
Tech Leaks is excited to introduce you to Cat, a passionate gamer who has been immersed in the world of online gaming for years. Her love for gaming started with MMOs during the peak of World of Warcraft’s popularity, and has since expanded to include a deep appreciation for JRPGs, particularly Final Fantasy XIV.
When she’s not gaming, Cat enjoys running tabletop RPGs and sharing her love of the hobby with others. Her expertise in the gaming world makes her a valuable asset to the Tech Leaks team, and we look forward to sharing more of her insights with our readers.
