Sony says Microsoft could make Call of Duty a "de facto exclusive" in latest attempt to block Activision deal

gamesradar.com:

In a new response (opens in new tab) to the UK Competition and Markets Authority's ongoing investigation into the Xbox Activision deal, Sony argues that Microsoft "would have the incentive" to box PlayStation out of the Call of Duty market by making the series "de facto exclusive" to its platform. 

Sony argues that, "as well as a total foreclosure," Microsoft could pursue partial foreclosure – that is, neutering competition more indirectly – through several means. The most important point here is the prospect of Microsoft "making Call of Duty available on multi-game subscription services (MGS) only on Game Pass or providing Call of Duty on PlayStation Plus at a commercially unviable price, thereby making it de facto exclusive."

The notion of a "de facto exclusive" essentially counters Microsoft's repeated claims that it wouldn't outright withhold Call of Duty from PlayStation; it asserts that it wouldn't have to in order to hurt PlayStation's ability to compete. Parity between Game Pass and PlayStation Plus has been a sticking point throughout this process, and Sony's bringing that to a head here by arguing that secondary differences in access, or perhaps licensing terms for subscription services, could still make Xbox the go-to console for Call of Duty. 

Sony also reiterates and doubles down on other anti-competitive strategies including Microsoft making Call of Duty cost more and/or run worse on PlayStation, as well as "restricting, degrading, or not prioritizing investment in the multiplayer experience on PlayStation." This doubles down on the company's stated fears that Microsoft might give it a deliberately sabotaged version of Call of Duty. Apropos of nothing, I'd like to point out that a response (opens in new