Microsoft’s attempt to take over Activision Blizzard (Act. Blizz.) is facing some issues from the industry, especially Sony. The company has been doing all it can to convince the industry that the deal is a good one. According to Reuters, Microsoft Corp said that its $69 billion deal to buy Act. Blizz. would benefit players and game companies alike. The FTC said in a complaint aimed at blocking the deal this month that the merger would hinder competition in the gaming industry. That’s why Microsoft made the argument in a document aimed at persuading a U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) judge to allow the deal to go ahead.
The U.S. FTC said it was concerned that Act. Blizz. popular games, including “World of Warcraft” and “Diablo” could cease to be available on devices from Microsoft’s Xbox rivals. We all probably know that Microsoft’s biggest in the gaming console market is Sony.
Microsoft President Brad Smith said in mid-Dec. that the company had offered to sign a legally binding consent order with the FTC to guarantee that such popular games will be available for 10 years. After such a long time, the good and popular games of today will probably have lost their juice.
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In a statement this week, Smith claims that he remains confident in the company’s legal action. However, he said that he will “…reach a creative resolution with regulators”. Activision Chief Executive Bobby Kotick said he believes the companies would prevail in their legal battle with the FTC. The Microsoft deal also faces scrutiny outside the U.S., with the EU saying it has until March 23, 2023, to decide whether to approve or block the deal.
Gamers sue Microsoft in US court to block Activision Blizzard deal
Microsoft Corp was sued in U.S. court on Tuesday by some consumers. They claim that the $69 billion purchase of “Call of Duty” maker Activision Blizzard will suppress the video game industry. Two weeks after the FTC filed its case before a law judge, it filed a lawsuit in California federal court. The lawsuit seeks to stop the company from buying over Act. Blizz. If this deal pulls through, it will be the largest deal in the video game industry.
The lawsuit, which seeks to block Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision, was filed on behalf of 10 video gamers in California, New Mexico and New Jersey. The proposed acquisition would give Microsoft “far greater market power in the video game industry, with the ability to crowd out competitors, limit output, reduce consumer choice, raise prices, and further stifle competition,” the complaint said.
