When the chance to become the Third global giant in the video game industry is on the table, compassion is in the background. You will all remember it Microsoft paid in the middle of last January 68.700 million of dollars from Activision Blizzard + Re, the most expensive deal in history in this sector. Well, this purchase hasn’t been approved since regulatory bodies of the European Union they are very cautious about it.
In this situation, Microsoft responded with an unbeatable offer so that your purchase becomes official: grant sony a ten-year license for call of Duty and which in this way is seen with different eyes by the EU.
But the EU opened an investigation in early November fearing it Microsoft be done with the exclusivity of successful sagas such as call of Dutywhich could prompt video game fans to leave Play station a pc or Xboxes.
At first Microsoft replied to Sony in a conciliatory method, assuring him that the terms of the concession would be extended beyond what was agreed. But he later changed the subject by making sure there weren’t any titles at Activision that were essential.
According to a new report from the Reuters agency, the EU would be willing to publish a formal list of competition problems. IS ‘Statement of opposition’ could see the light at the beginning of 2023, and therefore Microsoft is already preparing with a new offensive: offer Sony to Call of Duty 10 year license.
However, it remains to be seen whether both EU regulators and Sony will agree to such a deal. Faced with this situation, the spokesman for Microsoft He assured in a recent interview with Reuters: “We want people to have more access to games, not less, so we don’t understand Sony’s concern.”
At present, few countries are in favor of this transaction. Of the 16 states regulators, unique Brazil yes Arabia saudi they approved it, even if everything points to it Serbia You will also give your consent. The EU inspection body is obliged to rule before the April 11, 2023.
A new problem for Microsoft
The company may be faced with request from the hands of United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Yet the purchase challenge. This would mean a setback in the career of Microsoft to gain control of the sector from July 2023the date on which the purchase of Activision is expected to be completed.
Everyone is wondering what the EU bodies will respond to, even if they are usually quite blunt about it. Remember that Nvidia already tried to buy Arm and it was not possible. The goal has always been and will be maintain a regulated market in which monopolies are avoided and therefore the anti-competitive practices.
The agreement reached in January points to conversion Microsoft in the third power game of the world later Tencent yes sonymaking its way across mobile, console, PC, and building blocks of the metaverse.
Assumes that Microsoft take control of powerful franchises like Sony Warcraft, Devil or Candy Crushamong others, in addition to the stronghold of Call Of Duty.
The deal was originally expected to close earlier June 2023but for now, the ball of Microsoft sits on the roof of EU regulatory bodies.
