Sony distrusts Microsoft in the upcoming acquisition of Activision Blizzard and has accused them of offering a version of Call of Duty with bugs and errors to damage PlayStation’s competitiveness. Sony’s concerns are expressed in a document submitted to the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) regarding the potential purchase of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft.
Sony believes that Microsoft may prioritize its Xbox version over the PlayStation version and restrict investment in Call of Duty’s multiplayer on the PlayStation platform. Furthermore, Microsoft has not shown any real commitment to achieving a result in the negotiations, according to Sony.
Sony’s allegations have been responded to by Microsoft, who has offered solutions that address the CMA’s concerns and increase the benefits of the agreement for UK game developers and players.
Sony Accuses Microsoft of Offering a Buggy Version of Call of Duty
Sony has expressed concerns about Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard, particularly in relation to Call of Duty, according to a document submitted to the CMA. Sony claims that Microsoft may offer a version of Call of Duty filled with bugs and errors to harm PlayStation’s competitiveness.
Microsoft may also prioritize the Xbox version over the PlayStation version, ignore the features of the PS5, and restrict investment in the multiplayer of Call of Duty on the PlayStation platform. Sony also believes that Microsoft has not shown any real commitment to achieving a result in the negotiations.
Sony Allegations Against Microsoft
Sony’s document claims that Microsoft may release a version of Call of Duty for PlayStation with bugs and errors that appear after subsequent updates. Sony states that even if these issues could be detected quickly, any remedy would come too late, causing the gaming community to lose confidence in PlayStation as a place to play Call of Duty.
Sony also believes that Microsoft could restrict the investment in the multiplayer of Call of Duty on PlayStation, thereby damaging the competitiveness of the platform.
Microsoft Response
Microsoft responded to Sony’s allegations with a statement to Eurogamer, saying that they had offered solutions that addressed the CMA’s concerns and increased the benefits of the agreement for UK game developers and players. Microsoft has not yet given any further details about the solutions they have proposed.
Conclusion
The ongoing legal battle between Sony and Microsoft over the potential acquisition of Activision Blizzard has taken a new turn, with Sony accusing Microsoft of offering a version of Call of Duty with bugs and errors. Sony also believes that Microsoft may prioritize the Xbox version over the PlayStation version and restrict investment in the multiplayer of Call of Duty on the PlayStation platform.
Microsoft has responded to these allegations, stating that they have offered solutions that address the CMA’s concerns and benefit UK game developers and players. The CMA is expected to make its final decision on the matter at the end of April.