IT Home October 13th news, Microsoft said that Sony had previously refused to "release" Xbox Game Pass subscription on the PlayStation platform. The ongoing Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard has led to a heightened conflict between the two companies, as Sony PlayStation believes Call of Duty on Xbox Game Pass will prove anti-competitive. Microsoft said in a response provided by UK Competition and Marketing Authority that the situation is more complicated than it seems.
As Tom Warre shared on Twitter, Microsoft is responding to PlayStation’s argument that the acquisition of the Call of Duty franchise will be “favorable” to the Xbox subscription service. In other words, providing Call of Duty games through Xbox Game Pass instead of other subscription services would be an anti-competitive act that would irrevocably damage Sony's own efforts. Microsoft has several arguments against Sony's view, many of which revolve around Sony's own way of gaming subscription services.
First, Microsoft hinted that it is trying to provide Xbox Game Pass on PlayStation. It is presumably this will make it clear that Microsoft is not trying to limit Call of Duty exclusively to any hardware platform through subscription purchases. If Sony says that exclusive will damage its game console, then Microsoft says it is very willing to bring Xbox Game Pass to the other party's platform, and PlayStation players can get the Call of Duty game in this way. However, Sony blocked the Xbox Game Pass login on PlayStation.
Microsoft also believes that Sony has exaggerated its investment in game subscription services. Microsoft said Sony's own priority is to "protect its revenue from newly released game sales", which has proven successful given its leadership in the market. Microsoft says Sony can increase the competitiveness of its PlayStation Plus subscription service by offering a variety of games it currently does not have. But the previous choice to not do so indicates Sony's previous lack of interest in competition in this market.
IT Home learned that although Microsoft is trying to weaken Sony's argument from multiple angles, there is also a tone that really hits the core of the problem. That is, Sony's primary purpose is not fairness, nor whether Microsoft becomes anti-competitive. Instead, Sony believes that slowing down or preventing Microsoft from acquiring Activision Blizzard will have obvious benefits for PlayStation .
It is not clear whether the PlayStation objection will have any significant impact on Microsoft. Activision Blizzard's $69 billion acquisition has been closely watched in EU and the UK, which is also necessary. Even without further obstacles, however, Microsoft may have completed the acquisition much later than expected.
