Saudi Arabia’s regulatory body approved Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $68.7, becoming the first country to do so. Saudi Arabia’s “General Authority for Competition” declared that the deal is fair and square, and added that “it has no objection”.
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Microsoft expects to wrap up this deal before the fiscal year ends, and per the official report coming from Brazil’s regulatory body, besides Sony, Microsoft’s main rival in the gaming space, all the other major video game entities seem to be all right with the deal.
Sony claims Microsoft having a franchise like Call of Duty is unfair, and believes Microsoft is buying its way to the top while adding that no other studio can rival Call of Duty, and it could be used as a weapon against the Japanese Big Tech in the future.
Per Sony’s official words, even if a gaming giant was to step up, and put the same work power and budget behind a new shooter project, Call of Duty would still come out on top no matter what.
Microsoft responded to Sony’s claims and worries, stating that Call of Duty won’t become an Xbox/PC exclusive, adding that “The game wouldn’t bring in enough revenue to cover the loss of sales on the PlayStation market,”. Microsoft also said Sony is paying developers and publishers to block content off Xbox Game Pass.
The United States Federal Trade Commission is expected to announce its decision soon as well. The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has a deadline of September 1 to declare a judgment on the merger. Many other parties are also expected to share their final call shortly.
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