Microsoft argued this with Brazilian regulators last week call of Duty was not a compulsory game on the platform. In the latest installment of the Activision Blizzard takeover drama unfolding in Brazil, Microsoft accused the PlayStation maker of trying to stunt the “growth” of Game Pass.
As originally sighted The edgeMicrosoft has been trying to convince regulators around the world that its acquisition of Activision Blizzard isn’t unfair to its gaming industry competitors.
“Microsoft’s ability to continue growing Game Pass has been hampered by Sony’s desire to prevent such growth,” Microsoft claimed in an Aug. 9 filing. “Sony pays for ‘blocking rights’ to prevent developers from adding content to Game Pass and other competing subscription services.”
Platform exclusivity deals are common in the gaming industry, and it’s not clear whether this refers to a clause that could prevent games from appearing on Xbox services during their exclusivity period, or more stringent terms. A document in terms of PlayStation exclusives came from the Capcom leaks, and page three indicates that exclusives couldn’t appear on rival PlayStation subscription services. These included Google Stadia, Game Pass and similar services. my box reached out to both Microsoft and Sony, but received no replies at the time of publication.
Sony had previously criticized Microsoft’s influence on the gaming market. Just last week, the console manufacturer argued CADE the call of Duty is an “essential game” and that competitors cannot compete with it. Microsoft disagreed, and in this latest filing carefully provided examples of Sony’s penchant for exclusivity when it comes to their big-name releases.
Since someone posted translations of the Board of Directors for Economic Defense (CADE) procedure On ResetEra, players have speculated as to whether or not the publishers’ complaints are valid. It’s a touchy subject as the acquisition of Activision Blizzard will undoubtedly impact the gaming ecosystem in seismic ways, but the hands of both platform owners aren’t clean. After the Microsoft takeover of the call of Duty Publisher announced Sony had tracked his own big purchase by Bungie that makes destiny 2
