Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard has raised concerns among regulators in multiple countries. The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) trial of the case has also brought Sony, Microsoft’s competitor, into the spotlight. In court documents, both Microsoft and Sony discussed the next generation of game consoles, revealing intriguing information.
According to The Verge, an analysis of the FTC documents shows that Microsoft admitted that Xbox has lost the console wars, trailing behind Sony and Nintendo. Microsoft acknowledged that Sony has dominated the market for 20 years and five generations, while Xbox only held a 16% market share in 2021. Surprisingly, Microsoft also revealed that the next generation of consoles is expected to launch in 2028.
During the trial, Sony mentioned the next-generation PS6, but it was only mentioned briefly. PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan stated that if Microsoft successfully acquires Blizzard, Sony will not share information about the next-generation console with Xbox-owned studios in the future, including core specifications.
The case of Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard is still ongoing in the United States. The FTC is concerned that Microsoft may make more Activision Blizzard games exclusive to the Xbox platform, potentially leading to the failure of competitors’ cloud services and game consoles. For instance, Bethesda Studio’s recent release, “Starry Night,” was exclusively launched on the Game Pass platform and has not been made available on the PS5 console.
Given the popularity of Activision Blizzard’s “Decisive Moment” and “Diablo” across multiple platforms, Sony has raised concerns about the PlayStation version of “Decisive Moment” not providing the same experience as Xbox. Sony pointed out that a bug appeared in the first wave of the game, which could result in the loss of players.
In related news, Microsoft’s Xbox console and Game Pass subscription service have gained attention. The price of the Xbox console in Taiwan has caught up with the PS5, making it an attractive option for gamers.
In conclusion, Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard has sparked unease among regulators, with Sony also expressing its concerns during the FTC trial. The future of the gaming industry and the next generation of consoles remain uncertain as the case continues to unfold.
What concerns do regulators have about Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard and its potential impact on competition in the gaming industry?
Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard has sent shockwaves through the gaming industry, and now regulators in multiple countries are expressing their concerns. The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) trial surrounding the acquisition has put Sony, Microsoft’s biggest competitor, in the spotlight. Surprisingly, court documents from the trial have revealed some intriguing information about the future of game consoles.
According to analysis of the FTC documents by The Verge, Microsoft has admitted that its Xbox console has fallen behind Sony and Nintendo in the so-called “console wars.” Microsoft acknowledged that Sony has dominated the market for the past two decades and five generations of consoles. In contrast, Xbox only held a 16% market share in 2021. Even more surprising, Microsoft disclosed that the next generation of consoles is not expected to launch until 2028.
During the trial, Sony briefly mentioned its plans for the next-generation PS6 console. PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan stated that if Microsoft’s acquisition of Blizzard goes ahead, Sony will no longer share information about its next-generation console with Xbox-owned studios, including core specifications.
The FTC is concerned that Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard could result in more games being exclusively available on the Xbox platform. This could potentially harm competitors’ cloud services and game consoles. For example, the recent release of Bethesda Studio’s game “Starry Night” was exclusively available on the Xbox Game Pass platform and has not been made available on the PS5 console.
Sony has raised concerns about the PlayStation version of Activision Blizzard’s popular games like “Decisive Moment” and “Diablo.” They worry that the PlayStation version may not provide the same experience as the Xbox version. Sony pointed out a bug that appeared in the first wave of the game, which could result in players losing progress.
In related news, Microsoft’s Xbox console and Game Pass subscription service have been gaining attention. The price of the Xbox console in Taiwan has now caught up with the PS5, making it an attractive option for gamers.
Overall, Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard has caused unease among regulators, with Sony expressing its concerns during the FTC trial. The future of the gaming industry and the next generation of consoles remains uncertain as the case continues to unfold.