FTC investigates Microsoft's Activision-Blizzard buyout for anti-trust

The Federal Trade Commission will closely scrutinize Microsoft's proposed $68.7 billion buyout deal for Activision-Blizzard.

Published
Updated
1 minute & 36 seconds read time

The FTC, not the Justice Department, will examine Microsoft's buyout of Activision-Blizzard for instances of possible anti-trust.

FTC investigates Microsoft's Activision-Blizzard buyout for anti-trust 98

The Federal Trade Commission will be scrutinizing the Microsoft-Activision deal. The convergence of the two tech giants would see Microsoft becoming the third most lucrative video games company in the world behind Sony and Tencent while locking down billion-dollar properties like Call of Duty in the process.

Sources tell Bloomberg that FTC regulators plan to closely investigate whether or not the deal constitutes anti-trust or unfair advantage. If its determined that Microsoft's acquisition of Activision-Blizzard will materially harm competition (for example, Sony could lose over $260 million a year if Call of Duty were kept off of PlayStation platforms), the FTC could sue to block the acquisition similar to how the commission is trying to block NVIDIA's takeover of ARM.

Microsoft has a history of platform exclusivity and keeping games from PlayStation hardware in an effort to bolster its Game Pass service.

In 2021, Microsoft successfully acquired ZeniMax Media, the parent company of Bethesda Softworks, and added a plethora of franchises to its ranks. Shortly after it was confirmed that Bethesda Game Studios' new game Starfield would be exclusive to Xbox Series X and PC platforms, and kept off of PlayStation hardware. This exclusivity is believed to apply to The Elder Scrolls 6 too.

If the deal goes through, sources say Call of Duty will remain on PlayStation at least until 2025. After that, though, Microsoft could keep the megaton franchise exclusive to Xbox hardware.

Sony has made a recent acquisition of its own that will help weather any exclusivity Microsoft lays out. Sony has acquired 100% shares of Bungie, the creators of Halo and Destiny, for $3.6 billion.

Buy at Amazon

Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Complete Edition - PlayStation 4 Complete Edition

TodayYesterday7 days ago30 days ago
$18.46$19.81$20.00
* Prices last scanned on 3/29/2024 at 7:26 am CDT - prices may not be accurate, click links above for the latest price. We may earn an affiliate commission.
NEWS SOURCE:bloomberg.com

Derek joined the TweakTown team in 2015 and has since reviewed and played 1000s of hours of new games. Derek is absorbed with the intersection of technology and gaming, and is always looking forward to new advancements. With over six years in games journalism under his belt, Derek aims to further engage the gaming sector while taking a peek under the tech that powers it. He hopes to one day explore the stars in No Man's Sky with the magic of VR.

Newsletter Subscription

Related Tags