Microsoft calls Sony’s concerns ‘misplaced’ over Call of Duty publisher acquisition

MICROSOFT hits back at comments by Sony, claiming its concerns are “misplaced” when it comes to the tech giant’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

Activision Blizzard has approved a bid from Microsoft to purchase the company for almost $70billion (£63billion).

However, as the deal is so large it must be approved by numerous courts globally, over fears that Microsoft would then monopolise the gaming industry.

The biggest opponent to the acquisition is competitor Sony, which claims that owning Call of Duty, the world’s biggest gaming franchise, would cause a monopoly over the market.

In new court documents it has been revealed that Microsoft has called these fears “misguided”.

In the document the company lists a number of factors that would keep the gaming industry competitive even after the proposed purchase.

Microsoft claims that Sony’s PlayStation has dominated hardware sales for over 20 years, currently beating out Nintendo and selling twice the number of Xbox consoles.

This is particularly interesting as Microsoft often refuses to disclose figures for Xbox console sales.

Looking at monthly Call of Duty users, Microsoft claims that PlayStation would still have a larger user base than Xbox.

This includes the possibility that Call of Duty games would no longer be available on PlayStation consoles.

Microsoft also points to Sony’s acquisitions and shareholding in large companies such as Bungie, which develops Destiny, FromSoftware, and Epic Games, which owns Fortnite.

It also points out that PlayStation has five times as many exclusive titles as Xbox.

Further, Microsoft claims that Xbox is “last place in consoles, seventh in PC, and nowhere in mobile game distribution globally.”

Microsoft also continues to claim that it has no intention to stop selling Call of Duty titles on consoles such as PlayStation.

Courts are still deciding whether the potential acquisition will go forward.

So far, all countries that have decided on the case, such as Brazil, have allowed the deal to be approved.

Written by Georgina Young on behalf of GLHF.