, following its initial inquiries into the $68.7 billion deal, the European watchdog said on Tuesday that it had opened a ‘phase II’ investigation due to competition concerns.
“In particular, the Commission is concerned that, by acquiring Activision Blizzard, Microsoft may foreclose access to Activision Blizzard’s console and PC video games, especially to high-profile and highly successful games such as ‘Call of Duty’,” it wrote. “When it comes to multi-game subscription services and/or cloud game streaming services in particular, the Commission is concerned that, by acquiring Activision Blizzard, Microsoft may foreclose access, to the detriment of its rival distributors of console and PC video games that offer such services, to its own PC and console video games, which are key for the provision of the nascent services of multi-game subscription and cloud game streaming.
“Finally, at this stage of the investigation, the Commission has concerns that the proposed acquisition may reduce competition on the market for PC operating systems. In particular, the Commission is concerned that Microsoft may reduce the ability of rival providers of PC operating systems to compete with Microsoft’s operating system Windows, by combining Activision Blizzard’s games and Microsoft’s distribution of games via cloud game streaming to Windows.
This deal will go through guraranteed, you might be able to delay it, but you cant stop it. Sony used to hate gamepass nd refused to follow the model, but they are forced to do so. Things change nd when new trend forces to do something different you cant escape that.
Wats to investigate wat MICROSOFT has 70billion easy and the competition doesn’t I mean wtf Europe commission doesn’t own ACTIVISION they better concentrate on getting heating oil gas and energy because it’s gonna be a cold winter with high energy prices
M00CHTV This is getting ridiculous sony needs to stop crying over this already and move on
sony literally kicking and screaming smh
They already said COD will be on PlayStation for as long as PlayStation exists, can’t be anymore clearer than that, it’s a done deal just going through the motions now.
the meltdown on here when this deal fails,,iv got the popcorn in already
It's funny because the only argument PS had about MS taking Activision was COD and Phil confirmed they aren't taking CoD from playstation. Can't talk about Xbox having exclusive benefits either, when PS had had that for the last 10 years
Let’s hope this deal doesn’t go through, we all lose as gamers. Xbox isn’t keeping call of duty on PlayStation we all know that now.
These days when one country is on verge of bankruptcy, whole Europe is in turmoil they have definitely solid points of how to gather social credits: just do more of baseless and senseless probe so that we are always in news and we get some views
PlayStation doesn't own call of duty Activision does
Where are they when Sony paid for exclusive to destroy SEGA Saturn, Dreamcast and Nintendo N64, GameCube?
Fuck_off_Matt
Please make protoype 3
They were never considering this during preliminary review... 🙄 Blah blah, as expected, blah blah, regulatory schedule. Another 4 months of this is going to be annoying, considering the deal will resolve and just put Microsoft closer in line with Tencent and Sony.
Couldn't happen to a nicer corporation.
Why does the European Commission have the power to do this when they're both American companies
That’s my birthday
But Sony can put as many titles as exclusive. That's some bullshit.
when sony owns the commission
I thought the UK can't stop this deal going through? The best they could do is fine Microsoft.
Just hurry up already. I want the entire catalogue on GamePass. Plus Phil wants to bring back Guitar Hero. Do you really want to stand in the way of that?
lukdeblanco Con razón. El último juego ha tenido el lanzamiento más exitoso de la saga en PlayStation Comprar Activision es toda una intención de quitarle a la competencia IPs importantes que le resten ventas de consolas y usuarios Blanco y en botella
Omfg 😂
Europe more like PonyLand
I think I'm of the mind that new management for the COD franchise is a good thing.
Are they going to investigate Sony for their vast library of exclusives?
Activision seems to be sure.
Ohhh my goddddd just say yes
All the kids on here will be devastated once the deal passes🤣
Get it done
That date is way to long if you think it’s that much a concern 🤣
XboxNaticos 👀
This was always going to go to phase 2 it was expected
Yet u have Sony buying studios no one says hey no bad Sony
I hope the Deal gone break not because I love Playstation Team Playstation what ever fanboy or girl, or I hate Microsoft This Deal gone change the market Impulsive ! This huge Companys gone earn Microsoft Tons of money
Just approve it already. Only people who have a problem with this are ps fanboys anyway.
So no, COD MW2 isn’t coming to GamePass anytime soon.
Shocking 🙄 What more could they possibly need to know at this point Tired of hearing about it, just want it to be done with.
I don't believe in Europe alone to be fooled around, 5 months, 5 months to analyze a document, my god
Just approve and put Diablo IV on gamepass day one ffs
Eeeeergrgrgrhrhhrhrhrh
Like Microsoft Said it Will be done in june so yall need to chill 😅
Waste of time. All will be well. 🙂☮️
Just give activision to Microsoft already damn
Longing it out as long as possible arnt you Sony 😂
Good
It's not gonna happen is it?💔😭
After seeing how much money cod made in so little time as a multiplat xbox not gonna take that from Sony.. why would they, to much money made if kept on all consoles/PC n eventually brought to switch n all other games are what ever to these peeps.. this is all about COD.. 🤦♂️
This is not news we know how corrupt they are you don't have to remind us it's still going to go through regardless
Turdbox is done and dusted lads the only way this deal happens is if they keep call of duty on PlayStation for All eternity. Furthermore call of duty can never be in gamepass.
To those less informed, this was exactly expected from the get-go. This is literally part of the process and this in no way has bearing on whether or not the acquisition passes as of right now. From everything we've seen from both sides it seems like it will pass in the end.
I’m more concerned about Europe at the moment let’s investigate them
Good lord. Just let it go through. Sony’s defense is about as strong as wet paper. It isn’t going to hurt anyone, and CoD isn’t getting taken off of PS.
Doesn't matter cause the deal will still go through lmao
PC? I can understand Call of Duty, but on PC Blizzard and Activision has no such market
Just wasting time. Lol. Still going to happen. Just taking advantage of MS and dragging it out.
Standard process. All should go well just like the Bethesda deal did
Please just let this go! Microsoft has hinted at reviving Starcraft.
LMFAO, you love to see it.
I mean regardless it’s gonna be a lose lose for Sony anyway. If the deal goes through that’s gonna be a loss for them. If it doesn’t ms is gonna be sitting on 70 billion just waiting to spend on other studios
A deal this size will get scrutinized heavily. That's for sure. What matters at the end, is their analysis, which I think won't confirm a lot of their concerns and they'll approve the deal with concessions. (my prediction)
Q coisa chata, já deu isso, aprova ou n aprova bola pra frente, só tá atrasando de comprar mais estúdios
WTF, American Companies and should not be able to stop it, but I guess that's the price of the global eco system.
The entire thing sets a horrible precedent in gaming as a whole. This is telling major third parties that they can have toxic workplace culture and release shit games, but it’s all good because some $trillion company will just buy them up and give the owners a massive payout.
Just shut the deal down pls, i can not stand when the future call of duty titles are destroyed by M$ like what theyve done to halo.
Man look at the shit Jim Ryan has caused lol ?
Jesus christ I am tired of reading about this
Probe 😏
Told you
I don't think it will go through idk
Thought this was supposed to be today?
The is the last check before spyro crash skylanders is own by mircosoft and activision combined
If they say no I stfg Big Ben is going down faster than the notre dame
The deal will fail for sure.
Finally!!! A date when we can finally stop talking about this shit. I don’t care what happens
Expected. I hope their investigation exposes Sony and their nonstop foreclosure strategies. Deal will go through with concession probably.
Bring them home 💪💚
Like CMA, it's going to Phase 2
HelixCloudGames
Good. The sooner this happens, the sooner the EU will see that this deal is good for gamers, for the employees at Activision/Blizzard, and the gaming industry all together. Microsoft already said Call of Duty is staying multiplatform. EU/CMA will see that. Sony needs to move on.
Big W. Block this deal
Good
WOT
Great i have to keep hearing about this
Good news
It's benefits consumers and developers. A win win.
Why does a European government entity care so much about an American tech giant buying an America game publisher? We all know the deal is gonna go through whether people like it or not. They’re just prolonging the inevitable.
Not surprising any of the European regulators and organisations like the European Parliament are very hard on anything tech it is why Type-C cables regardless of the product have to be the cable used on all products like mobiles and tablets by the end of 2024.
You just made the list. The block list
Something something Sony is now paying not only the CMA they're paying off the European Commission something something random tinfoil comment
Fuck_off_Matt
As expected. Deal still gonna go through
Wow they must be making a good paycheck to milk it this long
Can we just approve this and move on good lord
W
Sony and the critics medium are celebrating
A vote against Microsoft owning Activision is a vote towards Bobby sexuality assaulting mroe employees
Lmaooo thank you playstation_x3 this acquisition will die lmao
'In particular, the Commission is concerned that, by acquiring Activision Blizzard, Microsoft may foreclose access to Activision Blizzard's console and PC video games, especially to high-profile and highly successful games (so-called ‘AAA' games) such as ‘Call of Duty'.'
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