Microsoft embraces Call of Duty and takes on the European Union to provide $69,000 million in business

Microsoft He faces the antitrust authorities in the European Union and insists on their acquisition of Activision Blizzard For 69.000 million US dollars “will bring more competition” on playersbut shows willingness to address antitrust concerns.

“I believe we will demonstrate that our acquisition of Activision Blizzard will bring more games to more people on more devices and platforms than ever before,” said the Microsoft chief. Brad Smithtold reporters before a closed hearing in Brussels.

In addition to Call of Duty, antitrust regulators are concerned about Microsoft’s leadership position in cloud gaming

“We’re more than willing, given our strategy, to address any concerns you have, whether they’re contractual, as we did with Nintendo this morning, or regulatory issues, which we’ve always been open to addressing,” said Smith.

He was referring to signing a 10-year deal with Nintendo that would “bring Call of Duty to Nintendo hardware.” Last year, Microsoft publicly offered rival Sony Group a similar license for the hit game.

Microsoft’s proposed deal for Activision Blizzard is the largest in company history and one of the 30 largest acquisitions of all time.

In addition to Call of Duty, antitrust regulators are concerned about Microsoft’s leadership position in cloud gaming.

The technology is still in its infancy, but Microsoft is leading the way with its Xbox Game Pass subscription service, which offers a library of more than 300 titles for about $10 a month to gamers who want to play on Xbox or PC. The highest subscription level, at $15 per month, includes cloud gaming, allowing subscribers to stream specific games on any device, including tablets and phones.

“We will show that our acquisition will bring more games to more people on more devices and platforms than ever before.” (Smith)

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) presents its biggest hurdle yet, after the agency earlier this month proposed a series of structural solutions, including the sale of Call of Duty-related businesses, the Activision side of the business, or a merger. ban it. Microsoft and other interested parties have until Wednesday to respond to the CMA’s interim findings.

A hearing will take place in London later this month to discuss possible solutions.

Microsoft has repeatedly said that it has no plans to make Call of Duty exclusives.

Microsoft recently received preliminary findings from EU regulators in a Statement of Objections, which outlines the bloc’s main concerns about the deal, according to people familiar with the review. Combined with the EU hearing on Tuesday, it will pave the way for Microsoft to come up with formal solutions in the coming weeks.

Microsoft has repeatedly said that it has no plans to make Call of Duty exclusives. The software giant has offered to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation for several years and a similar deal for Nintendo for its Switch console.

Microsoft Gaming CEO, Phil Spencerwho is also participating in the EU hearing, argued that the company’s plan is to spread its content across as many screens and platforms as possible.

With information from Bloomberg

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