Sony are pushing hard to block Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard

UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) have officially announced a Phase 2 investigation of Microsoft's proposed $70 billion acquisition of ActivisionBlizzard. CMA say that "the merger may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom." Phase 2 investigation is officially starting today and could end on March 1, 2023, at the latest. 

Sony, the Japanese tech giant and one of Microsoft's biggest competitor in the games industry have welcomed the decision to further investigate the acquisition, saying they appreciate the CMA's focus on protecting gamers. 

"We want to guarantee PlayStation gamers continue to have the highest quality gaming experience, and we appreciate the CMA’s focus on protecting gamers," Sony told gamesindustry.biz. "By giving Microsoft control of Activision games like Call of Duty, this deal would have major negative implications for gamers and the future of the gaming industry."

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Microsoft quickly responded to Sony's comment, saying that it "makes zero business sense" to remove such a massive franchise like Call of Duty from PlayStation 5. 

Previously, Microsoft pledged to keep the Call of Duty franchise on the PlayStation platforms. Microsoft Gaming boss Phil Spencer said they will be making "the same version of Call of Duty available on PlayStation on the sam day the game launches on other platforms", to which PlayStation boss Jim Ryan hit back, saying Microsoft's offer was "inadequate on many levels". 

Activision

It's all about Call of Duty in these heated arguments between Sony and Microsoft

A lot of heated arguments between Sony and Microsoft at the moment but ultimately, one side should emerge victorious in the end and we doubt it will be Sony, who are the market leader in the games industry.

Sony's efforts to block the deal could delay the completion by a couple of months but we doubt they will manage to do more than that.

Microsoft expect to close the acquisition in the Summer of 2023.

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