Sony has been vocal in its opposition to Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has recently had a change of heart. The CMA originally started investigating the merger to determine if it would be harmful to the game industry and its customers, but in late March, the regulator believed that Microsoft wasn’t buying the Call of Duty publisher to make its shooter exclusive. Sony, however, has made it clear that it does not want the merger to go through, and has argued that the CMA’s decision is based on flawed data and does not take into account the strategic value to Microsoft of expanding Game Pass.
The CMA is expected to make a decision on the merger by April 26, and Sony is continuing to fight hard against the deal. Sony reportedly told people in Brussels that a parity offer for Call of Duty was off the table, and it has also tried to fight a subpoena to hand over internal documents to Microsoft.
It’s clear that Sony is doing everything it can to prevent the merger from going through, and the outcome of this battle will have a huge impact on the gaming industry. With the CMA’s decision expected soon, gamers will have to wait and see what the future holds.