He Agreement between Microsoft and Activision this has already caused Sony to make exaggerated legal arguments with the UK Competition and Markets Authority. And now Microsoft is arguing that the merger would actually be good for PlayStation gamers, as it would encourage Sony to improve its PlayStation Plus subscription service.
Xbox Says PS Plus Price Could Drop After Merger
In its response to the CMA on a Notice of Possible Remedies, Microsoft states that including Activision content in Xbox Game Pass would lead to improvements for PS Plus:
By allowing Microsoft to compete more effectively with Sony, the Merger can also be expected to incentivize Sony to improve its subscription offering, benefiting its more than 46 million subscribers, which in turn would result through lower prices, better quality and/or more choice for console customers.
Microsoft also claims that Sony offered new PS Plus levels and additional content “in response to the merger announcement”. This ignores the argument that these PS Plus changes could have been made in reaction to Xbox Game Pass in general rather than the merger.
Also, unless Activision’s catalog is also offered on PS Plus after the potential merger, to say that this would result in “greater choice” for PS Plus customers seems a bit of a stretch.
If the Microsoft Activision deal goes through, the exclusive Call of Duty DLC will likely come to an end. The EU would not require Microsoft to sell Call of Duty as part of the deal.