New information indicates that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will file a legal objection to Microsoft’s plans to buy Activision for $69 billion. According to Politico, the FTC is preparing to file an antitrust lawsuit to block this massive acquisition of Microsoft.Microsoft’s Activision acquisition could be blocked by the FTC
According to the source, it is underlined that Microsoft could not convince the FTC personnel who examined the agreement with its allegations. Therefore, the possibility of the FTC filing a lawsuit against Microsoft is on the table. But for now, there is no case that is 100 percent guaranteed. However, the statements and statements of Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Activision CEO Bobby Kotick have already been heard by the FTC and the investigation is largely completed.
If the FTC is going to file a lawsuit, it will likely file an antitrust lawsuit next month, in December. In the UK, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched an in-depth investigation into the deal in September. And more recently, the European Commission announced that it will conduct a thorough investigation into the Microsoft acquisition. Like these two European regulators, the FTC is concerned that the acquisition would give Microsoft an unfair advantage in the gaming industry and could significantly reduce competition in the market.
If the FTC sues, other regulators may follow.
It seems likely that the CMA and EU commissions will follow a similar course if the FTC decides to take the case to the courts. Sony, on the other hand, was the only company to oppose this agreement the loudest. If you remember, Sony expressed concerns that Microsoft might make valuable IPs like Call of Duty exclusive to Xbox. However, Microsoft continues to underline that Activision games will remain on Sony PlayStation at every opportunity, and the main subject of its purchase is mobile acting.Microsoft and Sony conflict could escalate
On the other hand, the all-out public relations war between Microsoft and Sony has been going on at the highest level for a while. As you know, Microsoft bought big producers such as Obsidian, Mojang and Bethesda and incorporated them into Xbox Game Studios. The tension between the two companies was also the scene of unpleasant arguments from time to time. Microsoft claimed that Sony paid developers to keep their games off Game Pass.
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