Everybody's Getting Into The Game, Google And Nvidia Weigh In On The Microsoft Buying ABK

When you sit and think about what companies would feel threatened by Microsoft potentially buying Activision Blizzard, there are definitely some that make sense – such as Sony. After all, with the console wars and all, Sony feels more like a direct competitor. Nintendo might even seem like a possible contender – if we didn’t all already know that Nintendo is just going to do what Nintendo does.

What might seem like less likely candidates might be companies like Google and Nvidia. Yes, they’re both in the video game space in some way. But neither are console manufacturers. They are, however, both in the cloud gaming space, along with subscription and mobile gaming. Arguably, Nvidia is a bit more in that space since Google axed Stadia, but the point still stands. And that’s where their concern lies.

Nvidia and Google have both expressed concerns to the FTC regarding the impact the purchase will have on the cloud gaming space. This comes not long after the pre-trial hearings began for the FTC's lawsuit. According to a report on Bloomberg, Nvidia’s focus is on keeping access to game titles equal and open. Reportedly, they didn’t exactly oppose the purchase. They just want to assure those concerns are addressed. For both companies, there’s reportedly a concern about keeping Microsoft from having an advantage in the areas listed above. As Activision Blizzard does have a lot of experience with subscription-based games and King is, well… more or less the King of mobile games. It’s a valid enough concern.

Microsoft for their part responded to Bloomberg’s story. Spokesperson David Cuddy stated that the company is “prepared to address and [has] been proactively addressing issues raised by regulators or competitors to ensure that the deal closes with confidence”. He also added, “We want people to have more access to games, not less.”

Outwardly, it seems that this is the case, as Microsoft has addressed Sony’s concerns by offering them a decade-long contract for Call of Duty. They’ve also made a point to address the FTC directly regarding their stance on employee unions. Time will tell whether or not any of this will be enough to let the deal go through. And even if the FTC does approve it, there’s still the European Commission and the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority to deal with.