Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard has been under inspection by regulators for some time. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has been asked about the Microsoft-Activision acquisition in his interview with The Wrap.
Related: Take-Two Interactive terminates its publishing deal with People Can Fly
Zelnick claimed that the acquisition would be a good thing for industry; “We’re certainly of the belief that it’s a good thing for Microsoft and the industry,” and added “It’s a highly fragmented business and there’s plenty of room for creativity to go around, and Microsoft is an ally of ours, and if this makes their business more powerful we think that’s good for us.”
Take-Two CEO also emphasized the consumer’s decision on the matter, “Ultimately, the consumer votes, and if we create great hits, which is our business, the consumers will show up, and no one can take that away from us, no one can replicate that.”
Zelnick also commented on the possibility of Microsoft pushing its own titles:
“At the end of the day if Microsoft focused on the power and strength of their own business they’re going to want to be pushing the most successful properties, and if consumers are showing up for our properties and Microsoft isn’t engaged, isn’t involved, isn’t a partner, than that would be a bad thing for Microsoft.”
“So I think we’re all essentially pulling in the same direction. The entertainment business is the antithesis of a fungible commoditised business. Every title stands alone, so it sort of doesn’t compete with anything else, and yet it’s highly competitive in a way.”
Recently, EU regulators turned game companies about the impact of the acquisition and asked for their insights. Sony has been very vocal on how the deal would impact other companies and even said Call of Duty franchise is big enough to determine the console sales.
However, Brazillian regulators have approved the deal and decided that Sony and other industry giants could compete with Microsoft.
