MICROSOFT has hit back at Sony, after the Japanese company tried to block Xbox’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the publisher of Call of Duty.
Sony, alongside other publishers such as Bandai Namco and Ubisoft, have tried to block Microsoft’s purchase of the company due to supposed fears that it would create a monopoly.
Xbox hopes to acquire the Call of Duty series.
The PlayStation owners claimed Xbox’s purchase of Activision Blizzard is an anti-competitive issue.
Sony claimed Call of Duty is: “an essential game, a blockbuster, an AAA-type game that has no rival”.
This is despite Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer confirming that the FPS shooter would remain on PlayStation consoles.
Even if Spencer goes back on his promise, Activision Blizzard is contractually obliged to release the next three Call of Duty games on PlayStation.
This will include the upcoming Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2.
In fact, PlayStation users have the advantage for the upcoming game.
Those who pre-order on PlayStation consoles can access the online beta for up to seven days longer than players on other platforms.
According to a report by VGC, Microsoft has now filed its own statement with the courts, claiming that Sony pays developers to not release games on Xbox Game Pass.
The statement reads: “Considering that exclusivity strategies have been at the core of Sony’s strategy to strengthen its presence in the games industry.
“Sony is a leader in the distribution of digital games, Sony’s concern with possible exclusivity of Activision‘s content is incoherent, to say the least.
“Indeed, Microsoft’s ability to continue expanding Game Pass has been obstructed by Sony’s desire to inhibit such growth.
“Sony pays for ‘blocking rights’ to prevent developers from adding content to Game Pass and other competing subscription services.”
This does not suggest that Microsoft has changed tactics and will make future Call of Duty titles Xbox and PC exclusive, but it does claim that Sony is hypocritical in its own statement.
Sony recently released a Xbox Game Pass competitor under the PlayStation Plus brand, which offers a three-tiered subscription model.
Written by Georgina Young on behalf of GLHF.
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