We continue to learn new details on this very important occasion about the purchase of Activision by Microsoft. On this occasion we have direct statements from the CMA, which has been provisionally against carrying out the acquisition, in short, we can say that for now it has ruled in favor of Sony.
The explanation that he has given on this occasion is somewhat in line with what Sony has been repeating to stop said purchase. The CMA considers that Microsoft’s purchase of Activision may worsen competition in the United Kingdom in favor of the American company. In addition, he has used other arguments that we collect below.
The CMA rules in favor of Sony provisionally
Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision could result in higher prices, less choice, or less innovation for UK gamers.
The CMA tentatively found that weakening competition by restricting other platforms’ access to Activision games could substantially reduce competition between Xbox and PlayStation in the UK, which in turn would hurt UK gamers.
Our job is to make sure UK players don’t get caught in the crossfire of global deals that, over time, could hurt competition and lead to higher prices, less choice, or less innovation. We have tentatively discovered that this may be the case here,
We have also sent companies today an explanation of how our concerns might be resolved, inviting their views and any alternative proposals they may wish to put forward.
Microsoft reiterates its commitments
We are committed to offering effective and easy-to-apply solutions that address CMA concerns.
Our commitment to grant long-term 100% equal access to Call of Duty to Sony, Nintendo, Steam and others preserves the benefits of the agreement for players and developers and increases competition in the marketplace.
When we say the same, we mean the same. 10 years of parity. In content. In price. In features. In quality. In gameplay.
At the moment, this is how this new chapter of the soap opera remains, which little by little has become more complicated and we will see what this ruling by the CMA, which is against the acquisition, leads to.
Breaking: UK’s CMA investigation has provisionally concluded that “Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision could result in higher prices, fewer choices, or less innovation for UK gamers.”
— Andy Robinson (@AndyPlaytonic) February 8, 2023
