Microsoft’s $68.7 billion buy of Activision Blizzard should acquire approval from varied regulators around the globe earlier than the deal can undergo, together with the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The CMA, which first introduced its investigation in July, revealed a abstract of its preliminary probe in September and beneficial a extra in-depth inquiry. As Ars Technica notes, a Phase 2 investigation may find yourself prohibiting a merger or requiring the entities concerned to promote components of an organization. Now, shortly after the CMA revealed the total textual content (PDF) of its resolution, Microsoft launched a scathing response (PDF), accusing the regulator of relying “on self-serving statements by Sony.”

In its response that it has shared to Ars, the tech large stated the CMA’s resolution was rooted within the concern that Activision’s catalogue of video games, particularly the Call of Duty franchise, will permit Xbox to “foreclose its opponents.” Microsoft referred to as that concern “misplaced,” arguing that the CMA is overstating the significance of Activision Blizzard’s video games on the subject of competitors within the house. It additionally stated that it plans to make Call of Duty extra accessible by including Activision’s titles to its Game Pass subscription service. 

Sony didn’t welcome the concept of this “elevated competitors,” the corporate stated, stressing that its rival “defend[s] its revenues” by not making newly launched video games out there by PlayStation Plus. Microsoft additionally stated that there isn’t any foundation for the concept that making Call of Duty out there on Game Pass would make individuals extra probably to purchase an Xbox console. The firm stated CoD video games would even be out there for buy on PlayStation and shopping for them can be cheaper than shopping for an Xbox for Game Pass entry.

The CMA has adopted Sony’s complaints “with out the suitable degree of vital evaluation,” Microsoft continued. It added: “The suggestion that the incumbent market chief, with clear and enduring market energy, may very well be foreclosed by the third largest supplier on account of dropping entry to at least one title isn’t credible.” Microsoft wrote in its response that it is trying ahead to working with the CMA by Phase 2, and it sounds prefer it’s decided to make the regulator perceive the advantages of the deal. 

As for Sony, a spokesperson repeated its stance in a press release despatched to Reuters, calling the deal “dangerous for competitors, dangerous for the gaming trade and dangerous for avid gamers themselves.” Microsoft’s acquisition would give the Xbox ecosystem “a singular mixture of tech and content material,” they stated, which in flip would give the tech large a dominant place in gaming that will have “devastating penalties for customers, unbiased builders, and Sony itself.”