Sony fears Microsoft acquiring Activision may degrade the standard of Call of Duty on Play Station

Sony fears Microsoft's acquisition of Activision may degrade the quality of game play on PlayStation.

Sony fears Microsoft acquiring Activision may degrade the standard of Call of Duty on Play Station

Sony concerned, Microsoft might lower the standards of Call of Duty if it Acquires Activision Blizzard

Sony has expressed its concerns about the future of the Call of Duty franchise. In a submission to the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), Sony has raised fears that Microsoft may raise the price of Call of Duty, limit its availability to Xbox Game Pass subscribers, and even compromise the game’s performance on PlayStation.

In order to illustrate these concerns, Sony has presented a hypothetical scenario where a Call of Duty game released on PlayStation by Microsoft could contain bugs and errors on the final level. Sony worries that Microsoft may prioritize bug fixes on the Xbox versions of the game, leaving PlayStation players with an inferior experience. These concerns highlight the potential negative impact that the acquisition could have on the future of the franchise and its fans.

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Here’s everything you have to know about the incident

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Sony fears that if Microsoft releases Call of Duty on PlayStation, any bugs or errors that emerge only on the game’s final level or after later updates could damage the platform’s reputation. This could result in a loss of player confidence in PlayStation as a go-to platform for playing the game, potentially leading to a switch to Xbox.

Another concern for Sony is that Microsoft might restrict access to Call of Duty on Xbox Game Pass and not allow Sony to offer the title on its own PlayStation Plus service. In response, Microsoft claims that any Call of Duty game in a multi-game subscription service would be eligible for inclusion in Sony’s subscription service for the same duration.

Licensing issues

Sony has also voiced its concerns about licensing terms and pricing. The company says that Microsoft’s proposed terms “would commercially destroy Sony Interactive Entertainment’s (SIE) multigame subscription business model.” Microsoft has offered Sony a 10-year deal on Call of Duty, but Sony is not too keen on signing the deal.

Microsoft’s recent deals with Nintendo and Nvidia to bring Call of Duty to their platforms have added fuel to the fire. Sony claims that Microsoft has not shown any real commitment to reaching a negotiated outcome and has only engaged when they sensed the regulatory outlook was darkening.

While it’s unclear what the outcome will be, it’s evident that both companies are fiercely competing for Call of Duty rights. As fans wait with bated breath to see what the future holds for their favorite franchise, it remains to be seen how this rivalry will play out.

The UK regulator, CMA, has warned of potential harm to gamers following Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Sony supports the CMA’s initial findings and advocates for structural remedies, such as selling off Call of Duty, to address its concerns. The CMA is currently analyzing over 3 million documents and 2,100 public emails. The UK regulator is reviewing responses to its potential remedies before a final ruling is due by April 26th. Meanwhile, EU regulators are likely to approve the $68.7 billion deal. Microsoft’s recent licensing agreements with Nintendo and Nvidia have reportedly eased concerns, and the European Commission is not expected to require Microsoft to sell any Activision Blizzard assets.

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