The UK CMA this week released another new document related to the ongoing Activision Blizzard saga, this time focusing on Microsoft’s responses to questions from the CMA during a recent appeals hearing.
You can check out the full document if you want, but what stands out for us is Microsoft’s response to a possible 10-year Call of Duty deal for Sony and PlayStation, and whether that duration is long enough.
Basically, Microsoft thinks that amount of time should be more than enough for Sony to “develop alternatives” to Obligation. In addition, the company claimed that the “practical effect” of the remedy will last for more than ten years.
Here is what the document says:
“During the appeals hearing, the CMA asked Microsoft if the 10-year term was sufficient and whether there would be a ‘limit’ for Sony at the end of that term. The 10-year term is ( REDACTED). Microsoft considers a 10-year period sufficient for Sony, as a leading console publisher and platform, to develop alternatives to CoD. The 10-year period will be extended to the next generation of consoles .(REDACTED).”
“Furthermore, the practical effect of the remedy will extend beyond the 10-year period, as games downloaded within the last year of the remedy will be able to continue to be played for the lifetime of that console (and at beyond, with backward compatibility). » .
Interesting stuff, then, but keep in mind that Sony hasn’t agreed to any sort of Call of Duty deal with Microsoft yet, and from what we’ve heard recently, it looks like the company might Never come to an agreement.
Ultimately, though, it’s not Sony – it’s the CMA, the European Commission, and the FTC that Microsoft has to convince, and if those three do eventually agree to the acquisition, Sony won’t have another choice than to make the most of it.
What do you think about this? Tell us in the comment section below.
(source assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)
Fraser has an unhealthy obsession with all things Telltale Games’ The Walking Dead series and has an intimate knowledge of sports games on Xbox. He also supports Walsall FC, that West Midlands team you’ve never heard of.