Microsoft-FTC dispute over Activision deal hits court
The battle over Microsoft's controversial $69 billion bid for game-maker Activision Blizzard is due to shift to the courtroom Tuesday for the first pre-trial hearing in the Federal Trade Commission's lawsuit to block the deal.
A federal judge set January 3 as the date for the hearing after both Microsoft and Activision filed theirthe proposed acquisition over antitrust concerns, particularly as it involves such highly popular games like. Regulators worry that Microsoft gaining control of that and other game franchises for its Xbox consoles would unfairly disadvantage competitors, including Sony and Nintendo.
"Microsoft has already shown that it can and will withhold content from its gaming rivals," Holly Vedova, director of the FTC's Bureau of Competition, said in alast month announcing the lawsuit."Today we seek to stop Microsoft from gaining control over a leading independent game studio and using it to harm competition in multiple dynamic and fast-growing gaming markets."
In statements and court filings, Microsoft has noted that after 20 years in the game console market, it stills ranks third behind Sony and Nintendo. Buying Activision – the deal was announced in January 2022 – will help it better compete and grow its presence in the fast-expanding mobile gaming space.
"The acquisition of a single game by the third-place console manufacturer cannot upend a highly competitive industry," Microsoft claimed in the December 22, 2022, court filing."That is particularly so when the manufacturer has made clear it will not withhold the game… Giving consumers high-quality content in more ways and at lower prices is what the antitrust laws are supposed to promote, not prevent.
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