The public has been asked to take action against Microsoft’s record-breaking proposal to buy gaming giant Activision Blizzard.
$69bn (£61.8bn) deal It was announced back in JanuaryBut scrutiny around the world over concerns it would give the Xbox maker an unfair advantage over rivals such as Sony has left the company under scrutiny. game station.
An investigation by the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) Announced in Julylast month regulators deemed enough problems Move the investigation to the second stage.
It has now invited public comments, saying: “At this point, we invite anyone, including members of the public, to share their views with us.”
Sony has been the most vocal critic of a potential acquisition amid concerns that the dominant franchise, Call of Duty, could end up being an exclusive Microsoft platform.
The first-person shooter franchise is one of the best-selling titles in video game history, having sold at least 425 million copies since its debut in 2003, and the latest installment promises to be the best-selling game on the PlayStation platform.
Modern Warfare II launches in the UK next Friday, but avid fans who pre-order the game can already play the single-player campaign.
What are the arguments for and against the takeover?
Microsoft announces all-cash deal — it’ll be the biggest in tech — as Activision Blizzard grapples with it allegations of widespread sexual harassment and other misconduct.
Its chief executive, Bobby Kotick, has faced calls for employees to resign over the handling of claims, as some were fired, others disciplined and many went on strike in stages.
Some see acquisitions as an opportunity to improve company culture and conditions, which also makes World of Warcraft, Crash Bandicoot and Overwatch.
Microsoft believes that more people will thus be able to play Activision’s games, as they will be available on its subscription service, allowing players to access them via the cloud from devices including phones.
But Sony, the market leader in consoles, is concerned that games popular on its PS5 platform will eventually be unavailable on the platform.
Microsoft insists it has no intention of making Call of Duty exclusive for at least a few years.
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Microsoft’s latest Xbox falls behind PlayStation 5 in sales
The deal is also under scrutiny by U.S. competition regulators but has been approved elsewhere.
The CMA is working to release its final report by the March 2023 deadline.
For more information on how to contact the CMA for an investigation, see Gentlemen.