Microsoft is all set to acquire Activision Blizzard for $69 billion as against all other potential buyers. The deal was announced just two weeks ago and it is said to make history of the biggest acquisitions in the gaming world. As much as the deal is being opposed by many like Sony, it is now about to face the most unexpected.
It was soon after the announcement that FTC started looking into the acquisition. Further now Politico’s sources have reported that FTC is likely to set to cease the massive deal by filing an anti-trust suit soon. As much as the competitors are interested in blocking the deal they have made several accusations about Microsoft’s intentions behind the big buying.
FTC is closely looking into the same and is not yet convinced regarding the deal. There have been several scrutinies and several attempts have been made to investigate various aspects of the deal including the disposition of Microsoft’s Satya Nadella and Activision’s CEO Bobby Kotick. It is expected that if FTC files the anti-trust suit it shall file it by December. In order to execute this the agency’s Commissioners, have to first vote to file the complaint against Microsoft or meet its lawyers.
Sony has been the loudest in opposing the deal as it suspects that the competition will rise and that Microsoft may make the games like Call of duty which is matter of concern for many in the gaming sector as exclusive to Xbox. The Xbox has still denied these speculations and has further said that Sony has more exclusive games than the Xbox and that the deal will not give any competitive advantage.
The Microsoft has also argued saying that even after the closing of the deal it will still remain 3rd following the trails of Sony and Tencent in gaming.
Google has also further shown concerns about the deal claiming that Microsoft has already degraded the quality of the game while using it with Google Chrome and that the deal will further help Microsoft.
To conclude, it is a matter of concern for many that Microsoft shall become the Titan after acquisition and will make it quite difficult for competitors to survive the competition as they cannot challenge the deal which has been agreed on $69 billion. This has many intricate matters involved along with reasons to why FTC and such others should investigate further.
