Microsoft, Activision Blizzard Wins Case on UK’s CMA, Merger may Continue Despite Sony’s Objection

Isaiah Richard, Tech Times 24 March 2023, 08:03 pm

The UK's Competition and Market Authority (CMA) have delivered a new finding that claims there is substantial evidence that Microsoft will not gatekeep the "Call of Duty" games to Sony after acquiring Activision Blizzard. It was known that Sony was the long-time exclusive partner of the gaming company for its FPS action game, now expanding to other platforms under Microsoft.

Its entire case with the CMA centers on an anti-competition looks into Microsoft and Activision Blizzard's merger, which the company defended from the officials and showed its different plans.

Microsoft, Activision Blizzard Merger to Continue with Win on UK

(Photo : GERARD JULIEN/AFP via Getty Images)

In a press release from the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the agency revised its previous beliefs and statement, which now claims that Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard will not harm the competition in the United Kingdom. This concern of the regulators center on making the market fair and square for all.

This is only the early statement regarding the case, as the watchdog would continue its deliberation and release its final verdict or decision by April 26.

The previous release of the CMA claimed that there are concerns against Microsoft's purchase of Activision Blizzard, saying that it "could harm UK gamers," should the deal continue. The agency claimed that it raised concerns that it may make the games exclusive to its platform only, or give Sony a defective or buggy game to bring to the public.

Microsoft to Make 'Call of Duty' Available on other Platforms

In what Microsoft presented to the UK's CMA and the world, it will not gatekeep 'Call of Duty' games and other franchises from Activision Blizzard and showed several partnerships that offer the games to other platforms. One of the most iconic developments here is its availability on the Nintendo platform for ten years, something which was also offered to Sony.

Microsoft and the Activision Blizzard Acquisition

It was a massive move for Microsoft, when it first made known its intentions to purchase Activision Blizzard, especially as it was a massive acquisition for the company. Despite that, several complaints and appeals have been made by the likes of agencies, including the FTC, but the company claimed that it is an "underdog" in the industry and this would not hurt the competition.

The UK watchdog for these cases, centering also on the consumer market, also raised its concerns against Activision Blizzard's acquisition of Microsoft in a case that visited its deal.

Sony also launched a complaint against Microsoft for this issue, claiming that the Redmond-based company would officially remove "Call of Duty" games from the PlayStation consoles after the acquisition.

The recent developments talk about how there was enough evidence to make the UK's CMA believe that Microsoft will not gatekeep the entire 'Call of Duty' franchise to companies like Sony. The regulatory agency believes that it will not lessen the competition in the industry, despite what was originally believed, as the new evidence comes to light to get the information straight, a win for Microsoft.