Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision-Blizzard continues to have the unfortunate effect of spiraling the media company into more hot water. In a statement released to GamesIndustry.biz today, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) CEO Jim Ryan criticized Microsoft’s recent deal with PlayStation on the existence of the Call Of Duty franchise on PlayStation platform; calling the deal “inadequate on many levels.”
Call of Duty existed on PlayStation platforms for many years and while Microsoft made an agreement that the franchise would still be able to be enjoyed on PlayStation consoles, it would not be forever. Last week Microsoft CEO announced publicly that an agreement was presented to Sony for the Call of Duty franchise to remain on PlayStation platforms for “several more years” beyond Sony’s current contract with Activision. This agreement would allegedly cover the next three releases in the franchise. Jim Ryan criticized the agreement stating that it wasn’t enough.
“I hadn’t intended to comment on what I understood to be a private business discussion, but I feel the need to set the record straight because Phil Spencer brought this into the public forum,” said Ryan.
“Microsoft has only offered for Call of Duty to remain on PlayStation for three years after the current agreement between Activision and Sony ends. After almost 20 years of Call of Duty on PlayStation, their proposal was inadequate on many levels and failed to take account of the impact on our gamers. We want to guarantee PlayStation gamers continue to have the highest quality Call of Duty experience, and Microsoft’s proposal undermines this principle.”
Ryan’s critiques echoed similar concerns to the far broader issue of Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision-Blizzard. Microsoft gaining access to Activision-Blizzard’s wildly successful gaming franchises drew concerns of Microsoft growing a monopoly. Despite this agreement currently not being set in stone, and Microsoft denying claims that Call of Duty would be exclusive, Sony would be unwise to not worry. This worry recently came to head when UK regulator The Competition and Markets Authority brought their own concerns of Microsoft hindering competition within the industry because of the acquisition following an investigation of their own.
The Activision-Blizzard acquisition continues to show its game-changing ripple effects, and while it is uncertain where the future is headed, everything depended on where Microsoft’s true intentions for the industry lie.