Microsoft continues to try to do everything possible to demonstrate to the competition authorities that the purchase of Activision Blizzard will bring nothing but benefits within the industry. After those from Redmond reached agreements with both Nintendo and Nvidia in Brussels, now some sources say that Microsoft proposes its solutions to the CMA after the concerns expressed by the UK body.
These sources (via @PostUp_bbb) point out that those from Redmond have offered various solutions to the CMA to try to unlock the acquisition of Activision Blizzard, which would also serve to “increase the benefits of the agreement” for British developers and players. An example is the “100% parity guarantee” between Xbox and PlayStation versions of games like Call of Duty.
Microsoft proposes its solutions to the CMA
Another aspect that Microsoft has wanted stand out in the arguments sent to the CMA is that they have the commitment to carry franchises such as the aforementioned “at least 150 million more players”, as is evident with the agreement that we previously cited with Nintendo and Nvidia. This, in addition to the intention to take Activision’s franchises to another platform, also implies a reduction in the fear of a monopoly in the streaming service.
Given this, the sources say that now “The decision rests with the CMA, which will decide whether to block this deal and protect Sony, the dominant market leader; or will consider solutions that make more games available to more players”. It is clear that this is a Microsoft’s pressure measure on the UK bodysince some of the concerns that they had raised in their preliminary ruling highlighted some of the elements that are now being faced.
As Microsoft says, now the ball is in the court of the British organization, so we will have to remain very attentive if the solutions offered by Microsoft are sufficient, or if the CMA will try to get those from Redmond to make more concessions if they want the agreement is certified.