We can’t expect Microsoft’s dispute with Activision Blizzard to be resolved quickly. The European Commission needs much more time to decide whether to approve the transaction after receiving additional documentation from an American business.
Microsoft is attempting to influence decision-makers in the US, the UK, and the EU to approve the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. We can affirm that the case will take longer than the deadline of April 25, when the European Commission was supposed to present its verdict.
Microsoft has sent further countermeasures to European officials, and on May 22 we will learn the European Commission’s final decision:
“We reiterated our promise to bring Call of Duty to more players on more devices by making deals to bring the game to Nintendo’s console and cloud game streaming services offered by Nvidia, Boosteroid and Ubitus. We are now backing up that promise with binding commitments to the European Commission that will ensure that this agreement benefits players in the future,“ a Microsoft spokesperson told Reuters.
However, the situation is interesting, because according to the latest information – Microsoft has not prepared any countermeasures related to Sony. The corporation focused exclusively on cloud services.
“According to MLex, Microsoft’s proposal for remedies to the EC (submitted last night) applies ONLY to cloud services. No offer related to consoles for Sony is part of it. The EC has apparently narrowed down its concerns to cloud gaming. Sony has gone overboard on this.“
According to MLex, Microsoft’s remedy proposal to the EC (submitted last night) is ONLY about cloud gaming services. No console-related offer to Sony is part of it. The EC has apparently narrowed its concerns to cloud gaming. Sony overplayed its hand there.
— Florian Mueller (@FOSSpatents) March 17, 2023
It is very possible that Microsoft no longer intends to prepare a new offer for Sony, and simply the Japanese may sign the contract proposed to the corporation last year.
Source: VGC