Microsoft and Sony Executives Meet with EU Regulators to Discuss Activision Blizzard Acquisition

Today marks a significant day in the ongoing saga of Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, as company executives participate in a behind-closed-doors meeting with EU regulators in Brussels. Microsoft’s Phil Spencer and Sony’s Jim Ryan are among the top brass attending, along with Brad Smith and Bobby Kotick. Also present are representatives from Google, Nvidia, Valve, EA, and the European Games Developer Federation. Meanwhile, Microsoft announced a deal with Nintendo to put Call of Duty on Nintendo platforms for the next decade, subject to the deal’s approval. The meeting is taking place behind closed doors, and it is unlikely that information will be presented in a fair or balanced way. Keep checking back with GameSpot for updates.
Despite this, the acquisition has faced opposition from regulators who are concerned that the deal could stifle competition in the gaming industry. Today’s meeting with EU regulators is seen as a crucial step for Microsoft and Sony to make their cases for the acquisition.

In addition to Microsoft and Sony executives, the meeting will also include representatives from other gaming companies and organizations, including Google, Nvidia, Valve, EA, and the European Games Developer Federation.

Meanwhile, Microsoft has announced a 10-year deal with Nintendo to launch Call of Duty on Nintendo platforms on the same day as Xbox. This deal is seen as an effort to address concerns from regulators by providing long-term equal access to Call of Duty to other gaming platforms.

However, Microsoft has reportedly offered a similar deal to Sony, but the PlayStation company has yet to respond publicly. Despite this, Microsoft has always maintained that it will not remove Call of Duty from PlayStation if it takes ownership of the series.

The UK’s Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) has suggested that Microsoft divest itself of Call of Duty to help get the deal done. However, Microsoft has argued that the acquisition is more about helping the company get a foothold in the mobile game space.

As the meeting with EU regulators takes place behind closed doors, it remains to be seen how it will impact Microsoft’s efforts to acquire Activision Blizzard. Stay tuned for further updates on this ongoing story.