Sony Suspects Activision Blizzard Acquisition Could Make Call Of Duty Fans Jump To Xbox, Microsoft Defends Buyout
So apparently Microsoft believes Activision Blizzard doesn't produce ANY "must have" games.
The Brazilian government has published Sony's official response to several questions about the current ecosystem of AAA game development and highlighted everyone's favorite first-person shooter franchise: Call of Duty. Many regions have watched Microsoft closely since its bombshell proposal to acquire Activision Blizzard; however, recent talks with Brazilian regulators reveal Sony is concerned, saying that the acquisition of Call of Duty will "influence users' console choice."
According to the translated questionnaire detailing Sony's responses to Brazil's government (via Resetera), Sony holds Call of Duty in high regard, calling the series "an essential game" and has "loyal users" that are entrenched enough to where competitors stand no chance.
Sony says that Call of Duty is "synonymous with first-person shooter games and essentially defines the category," continuing to remark that even its weaker titles in recent years still "outperform most other games by a considerable margin." Furthermore, Activision has "approximately 1,200 people [working] on each version, and another 1,500 are involved in publishing and distribution," showing just how massive the studio is compared to many others.
All this is to say that Sony believes the acquisition will sway fans to Xbox consoles. PlayStation's firm is considering this an eventual fact and could very well happen after the currently planned three CoD games the Sony console will receive. However, Microsoft has denied such a thing could happen. From an issued report in June, Microsoft told the New Zealand Commerce Commission that Activision Blizzard doesn't produce "must have" games.
After putting $68.7 billion on the table, one of the biggest tech buyouts that trump other meager amounts, this response is bizarre. Microsoft says there's "nothing unique about the video games developed and published by Activision Blizzard that is a 'must have' for rival PC and console video game distributors," which is baffling because of the sheer reputation of many of its IPs. Even though the studio as a whole is catching heat nowadays, it has games that are beloved by many and regaled as a 'must have' experience.
Do you think Microsoft is on point here and is Sony right to be concerned? Let us know below!
Related Articles
About the Author
![Anthony Jones](/assets/images/team/anthony.jpg)
Anthony Jones is a gaming journalist and late 90s kid in love with retro games and the evolution of modern gaming. He started at Mega Visions as a news reporter covering the latest announcements, rumors, and fan-made projects. FFXIV has his heart in the MMORPGs scene, but he's always excited to analyze and lose hours to ambitious and ambiguous MMOs that gamers follow.
More Stories by Anthony JonesRead Next
![A Final Fantasy XIV Player Completed A Savage Tier...On A Dance Mat](https://www.mmobomb.com/file/2022/8/xiv-savage-dance-pad-218x150.jpg)
It’s probably appropriate he was playing as a dancer.
You May Enjoy
![Throne And Liberty Beta Download Starts Tomorrow And The Teams Offers More Guild Info](https://www.mmobomb.com/file/2024/7/throne-liberty-open-beta-test-218x150.jpg)
Downloads will be available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
![If You’re Lucky Enough To Live Where A Gong Cha Is, You Can Now Get Your Own Porxie King Mount In Final Fantasy XIV](https://www.mmobomb.com/file/2024/7/final-fantasy-xiv-gong-cha-cross-promotion-218x150.jpg)
You just need to buy three teas.
![Guild Wars 2 Is Adding A New Raid After 5 Years...But If You Want More, You Better Actually Do This One!](https://www.mmobomb.com/file/2024/7/guild-wars-2-raiding-return-218x150.jpg)
This raid is a test, I repeat, this raid is a test.
![The Time Has Come To Test Yourself In The Arcadion In Final Fantasy XIV’s Latest Update](https://www.mmobomb.com/file/2024/7/the-arcadion-launch-final-fantasy-xiv-218x150.jpg)
The first of the Dawntrail raid series has arrived.
![Stars Reach Is A Game About Hope And Optimism, But That Doesn't Mean It Can't Tackle Serious Themes](https://www.mmobomb.com/file/2024/7/stars-reach-content-setting-graphics-feat-218x150.jpg)
And yes, the team knows that the game's art style may not appeal to everyone.
![Neverwinter's Summer Festival And Star Trek Online Console Demon Hunting Return This Week](https://www.mmobomb.com/file/2024/7/star-trek-online-event-feat-218x150.jpg)
Events, events, and more events...and of course rewards.
But the Microsoft statement truly is baffling.