Microsoft’s actions after acquiring ZeniMax and Bethesda are “strong evidence” to prevent the company from buying Activision Blizzard, according to the Federal Trade Commission [FTC] said in a new filing ahead of the upcoming showdown about the agency’s request for a restraining order.
Last week, the FTC requested an injunction temporarily blocking the $68.7 billion deal before a hearing beginning June 22. Ahead of this week’s hearing, Microsoft, Activision and the FTC were able to comment on the matter.
In the FTC’s document, the agency cited Microsoft’s willingness to make Xbox games exclusive in its argument against the acquisition.
Defendants stress Microsoft’s concerns that denying competitors access to Activision content could “upset gamers”… But those same concerns didn’t stop the ZeniMax decision
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“Defendants strongly emphasize Microsoft’s concerns that denying competitors access to Activision content would ‘upset gamers’… But those same concerns have not stopped the ZeniMax decision,” the statement said in part .
Microsoft announced plans to acquire ZeniMax and its portfolio of studios in 2020. After closing the deal, we’ve seen Xbox games like last month’s Redfall and the upcoming Starfield become Xbox exclusives. We’ve heard that Microsoft has discontinued a PlayStation 5 version of Redfall, moving to Xbox console exclusivity and Game Pass instead.
That statement from the FTC argues that the precedent set by the Bethesda acquisition means Microsoft could make Activision Blizzard games exclusive to Xbox platforms, despite Microsoft’s persistent attempts to extend 10-year Call of Duty commitments on other platforms to sign.
Microsoft Acquires Activision Blizzard: The Story So Far
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