Regarding the FTC’s opposition to Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Microsoft has now issued a formal statement to the agency. Microsoft has had a difficult time trying to buy Activision Blizzard for most of 2022. The acquisition has not been entirely smooth, much to its dismay.
The FTC officially filed a lawsuit to stop Microsoft from buying Activision Blizzard for nearly $69 billion. It was announced many months earlier. Concerns about Microsoft’s capacity to stifle competitors in the gaming industry, with a focus on the Call of Duty franchise. FTC issued the official statement. Microsoft prevents Call of Duty from being available on any platform other than its own Xbox and PC, should the deal be approved.
Despite Microsoft’s numerous declarations that it would not do so, because doing so would result in players being dissatisfied and sales falling dramatically. Both Microsoft and Activision have now recorded proper proclamations because of the FTC claim.
The FTC receives a formal statement from Activision and Microsoft
Now, both businesses have made official statements to the FTC. Microsoft mentions that the agency is unable to meet its burden of demonstrating that the transaction will adversely affect consumers.
Microsoft has insisted vehemently on this point since the beginning. Claiming on multiple occasions that the agreement would increase the number of games available to gamers worldwide and give customers more options.
Microsoft continues by pointing out that, after Sony and Nintendo, it is the third console manufacturer. What’s more, its principal justification behind needing the procurement is to extend its presence in portable games.
Activision already owns a significant portion of the mobile gaming market, which is the fastest-growing segment of the industry. The publisher claims that the FTC is “straying from its underlying purpose to protect competition rather than competitors” in its statement.
