Gamers Ask if Microsoft Buying Activision is Anti-Competitive
Xbox has been hitting he headlines after Microsoft announced it is acquiring Activision Blizzard for an eye-watering $68.7 billion, roughly $8 billion greater than Nintendo’s current net worth. Gamers have since been pondering what this means for PlayStation, the future of the game industry, but also industry competition. With Microsoft now effectively in control of many major franchises and beloved game characters, some which are famously associated with Xbox competitors, questions are being raised about whether this is really in the interest of gamers.
Activision Blizzard has recently been under scrutiny for poor treatment of employees and a toxic work culture. Reports indicated that Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick was against the deal, and could receive $350 million from the acquisition if Microsoft tries to get rid of him early, with calls for him to resign or be fired. The deal will give Microsoft control of a huge portfolio of games, but risks dragging the company into the Activision Blizzard controversies. In a press release, Microsoft described the acquisition as a move that will “accelerate growth” in its gaming business and “provide building blocks for the metaverse,” pushing the idea that this move will bring games to more platforms.
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On Twitter, gamers are particularly interested in what implications this acquisition has for some major franchises and future Xbox exclusives, with ownership changing hands to Microsoft. The company now effectively owns Overwatch, Call of Duty, Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, and many other major titles. But it’s the latter two titles which dig in for PlayStation fans, given they were once PlayStation
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