Sony claims Microsoft could release buggy Call of Duty games for PlayStation consoles

videogameschronicle.com:

Sony has suggested Microsoft could release degraded versions of Call of Duty games for PlayStation consoles should the Xbox maker acquire Activision Blizzard.

Issuing its provisional findings on the proposed deal last month, UK regulator the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) raised concerns that Microsoft could choose to apply a range of tactics to stifle competition if the deal was approved.

These included withholding games or content from Sony, offering fewer features on rival consoles, and degrading the quality of Activision titles on PlayStation.

It suggested the simplest way to ensure there isn’t a significant lessening of competition would be to block the deal entirely or implement a partial divestiture of Activision Blizzard that would see parts of the business like Call of Duty sold off and removed from the equation.

However, the CMA said it would also consider behavioural remedies, such as Microsoft’s offer to make Call of Duty available on other platforms post-merger, although it views these as less favourable than structural ones which rarely require monitoring and enforcement once implemented.

In its newly published response to these findings, Sony said Microsoft’s bid to acquire Activision should be blocked or subject to structural remedies if it’s to be approved.

It said behavioural remedies would be insufficient to address the regulator’s concerns because there were “myriad ways Microsoft could withhold or degrade access [which] would be extremely difficult to monitor and police”.

It argued: “If Microsoft failed to comply with its commitment, it would likely only risk paying a fine (possibly many years later). But rivals’ access to Call of Duty would be immediately foreclosed, irreparably damaging their