In January 2022, it was announced that Microsoft intends to buy Activision Blizzard – one of the largest game producers in the world – for a trifle of USD 69 billion. Such a transaction will help the American giant join the top companies controlling the gaming market.
Google and Nvidia contacted the US FTC
No wonder Sony, which is Microsoft’s biggest rival in the gaming market, didn’t like the idea. The Japanese protested against the deal some time ago, but now it turns out that they have new allies.
As well as Google and Nvidia, they are concerned about the acquisition, which could make Microsoft a hegemon of the gaming industry. Both companies are investing in the gaming market (although Google is about to close its Stadia service later in January), so they have raised their concerns with US regulators, including the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Both Google and Nvidia, like Sony before it, say that such an acquisition will reduce competition in the gaming industry. Microsoft has previously denied such allegations, but the competition’s fears are hardly surprising. One can imagine a scenario where in some time games created by Activision Blizzard could be available only for Windows PCs and Xbox consoles.
Already today, Microsoft has a large share of the global gaming market. Earlier, in 2021, the company bought ZeniMax, the owner of the Bethesda Software studio and brands such as Fallout, Doom and Elder Scroll.
Source: Gazeta
Ricardo is a renowned author and journalist, known for his exceptional writing on top-news stories. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he is known for his ability to deliver breaking news and insightful analysis on the most pressing issues of the day.
