As the investigations into the Microsoft purchase of Activision Blizzard continue, Microsoft is doubling down on its reasonings for acquiring the publisher. In its latest response to the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), Microsoft says that if Sony is worried about competition, it can develop its own Call of Duty competitor.
Since the beginning of the investigation from regulators, Microsoft has said that it will continue to release Call of Duty titles on PlayStation platforms. It has even offered Sony a 10-year deal similar to those signed by Nvidia and Nintendo in recent months. The agreement would include full content and feature parity on all platforms.
However, Sony hasn’t signed and continues to fight with claims that after seeing what Microsoft did with Bethesda titles, it will do the same with Activision Blizzard games. And now, in the new document, Microsoft says that Sony can create an alternative.
What Microsoft Is Saying About Call Of Duty and Sony
“At the Remedies Hearing the CMA asked Microsoft if the 10-year duration is sufficient
and whether there would be a “cliff edge” for Sony at the end of this period,” the document reads. “Microsoft considers that a period of 10 years is sufficient for Sony, as a leading publisher and console platform, to develop alternatives to [Call of Duty].
“The 10-year term will extend into the next console generation [redacted]. Moreover, the practical
effect of the remedy will go beyond the 10-year period, since games downloaded in the final year of the remedy can continue to be played for the lifetime of that console (and beyond, with backwards compatibility).”
Microsoft wrapped up its argument on the time frame by saying they don’t feel a need to have an agreement longer than a decade at a time.
“While Microsoft is prepared to continue to discuss this constructively with the CMA, there is no basis for extending the remedy beyond the period proposed by Microsoft,” the company said.
The ruling from the CMA on the acquisition attempt is due by April 26.
What do you think of Microsoft saying Sony can just develop its own Call of Duty alternative?
UPDATE: Originally it was mentioned that CMA was set to rule by May 22. That was incorrect, and the correct date has been added.
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