Sony Interactive Entertainment has told UK regulator the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) that one of the main reasons it does not trust Microsoft Activision Agreement This is the behavior of the Xbox manufacturer around the acquisition of Bethesda (ZeniMax).
Microsoft Activision deal could end similar to Bethesda acquisition
Many have pointed out that Microsoft has not broken any promises or violated any agreements with respect to the ZeniMax acquisition. But here’s the rub: Xbox executives made some all-too-familiar PR statements at the time, and the CMA took notice as well.
At the time of the Bethesda acquisition, Microsoft repeatedly assured regulators and Sony that while exclusives were a big part of the move, it had no reason to pull games from other platforms and that it wanted to bring more games to more people. After the acquisition, the company took a hard-nosed approach, including in the case of The Elder Scrolls 6, despite the franchise’s history on PlayStation.
Microsoft’s commitment is only to keep “existing” games on Sony platforms. It offers no guarantee as to the future. Critics say the company’s public statements are rather ambiguous and cleverly worded.
“While not a breach of a behavioral commitment, Microsoft’s conduct in connection with the acquisition of ZeniMax provides further evidence as to why a behavioral commitment should be approached with caution. “, Sony wrote (via Metro).
The CMA’s decision is expected in April.