Title: PlayStation’s Jim Ryan to Testify in Federal Trade Commission Case Against Microsoft’s Acquisition of Activision Blizzard
Date: June 21, 2023
In a high-stakes legal battle, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is set to temporarily halt Microsoft’s proposed $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. As part of the proceedings, the FTC has called upon several prominent witnesses to provide their insights, including Jim Ryan, the head of PlayStation.
According to recently released redacted documentation, the FTC is expected to argue that Xbox’s decision to make Bethesda titles exclusive, such as Starfield and Redfall, serves as “powerful evidence of incentive to foreclosure.” This suggests that the US regulator believes Microsoft may attempt to limit or remove Activision Blizzard games from PlayStation platforms as well.
The FTC’s case highlights Microsoft’s actions following its 2021 acquisition of ZeniMax, the parent company of Bethesda. The regulator questions the credibility of Microsoft’s concerns about “infuriating gamers” if it were to restrict access to Activision content for rival platforms. The FTC argues that despite these concerns, Microsoft proceeded with the ZeniMax acquisition, raising doubts about its commitment to maintaining a level playing field.
While Microsoft has reportedly offered Sony and other platform holders a contract ensuring Call of Duty games will remain on PlayStation platforms for the next ten years, there is ongoing debate about the future beyond that timeframe. Questions also remain regarding the fate of other popular Activision Blizzard properties, such as Crash Bandicoot and Diablo.
It is worth noting that the FTC’s case differs from the pending appeal against the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority, which blocked the Microsoft-Activision Blizzard deal due to concerns related to cloud gaming. The UK appeal is scheduled for review on July 24th, promising further legal drama in the corporate courtroom.
Jim Ryan’s testimony as a witness in this case holds significant weight, given his position as the head of PlayStation. As a veteran in the gaming industry, Ryan’s insights and perspective will likely play a crucial role in shaping the outcome of the legal proceedings.
As the legal battle unfolds, gamers and industry observers eagerly await the resolution of this high-profile case, which could have far-reaching implications for the future of gaming and platform exclusivity.
How does the FTC argue that Microsoft’s decision to make Bethesda titles exclusive to Xbox indicates their intent to restrict access to Activision Blizzard games on competing platforms like PlayStation?
PlayStation’s Jim Ryan Called as Witness in FTC Case Against Microsoft’s Acquisition of Activision Blizzard
In a major legal conflict, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has taken action to temporarily halt Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $69 billion. As part of the proceedings, the FTC has summoned several prominent figures to testify, including Jim Ryan, the head of PlayStation.
Recently revealed redacted documentation suggests that the FTC plans to argue that Microsoft’s previous decision to make Bethesda titles exclusive to Xbox, such as Starfield and Redfall, is a clear indication of their intent to restrict access to Activision Blizzard games on competing platforms like PlayStation. The FTC believes this move by Microsoft could potentially lead to anti-competitive practices and foreclose the market for other players.
The FTC’s case highlights Microsoft’s actions following its acquisition of ZeniMax, the parent company of Bethesda, in 2021. The regulator questions Microsoft’s credibility when it expresses concerns about upsetting gamers by restricting access to Activision content for rival platforms, considering it still proceeded with the ZeniMax acquisition. Such actions raise doubts about Microsoft’s commitment to fair competition in the gaming industry.
Although reports indicate that Microsoft has offered a ten-year contract to Sony and other platform holders to ensure that Call of Duty games will remain on PlayStation platforms, there are still uncertainties about the future beyond that timeframe. The fate of other popular Activision Blizzard properties like Crash Bandicoot and Diablo also remains uncertain.
It’s important to note that the FTC case differs from the ongoing appeal against the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority, which initially blocked the Microsoft-Activision Blizzard deal due to concerns related to cloud gaming. The UK appeal is scheduled for review on July 24th.
Jim Ryan’s testimony in this high-profile case carries significant weight given his position as the head of PlayStation. With his extensive experience in the gaming industry, Ryan’s insights and perspective are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the outcome of the legal proceedings.
As gamers and industry observers eagerly await the resolution of this case, the outcome could have far-reaching implications for the future of gaming and platform exclusivity. The legal battle between Microsoft and the FTC continues to captivate attention, promising further intrigue and developments in the corporate courtroom.
This is a significant development in the legal battle, as Ryan’s testimonial could provide valuable insight into the inner workings of the gaming industry and shed light on Microsoft’s motives behind the acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
It will be interesting to see what insights Jim Ryan, as a key witness, will provide in Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard. His perspectives could shed light on the implications for both PlayStation and the gaming industry as a whole.