Activision Blizzard CEO accuses Sony of "trying to sabotage" Microsoft acquisition

By Sean Carey,

Activision Blizzard chief Bobby Kotick has accused Sony of trying to sabotage Microsoft's acquisition of the publisher and believes that the UK's competition watchdog isn't thinking about how the deal could benefit the country.

After launching a "Phase 2" inquiry into Microsoft's $69 billion takeover of Activision Blizzard, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority is believed to publish its preliminary findings this week, which will signal whether or not the watchdog intends to block or clear the deal. Ahead of those findings, Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick has criticised the watchdog and has also accused Sony of trying to sabotage the deal.

Activision Blizzard CEO slams CMA and Sony

Activision Blizzard CEO accuses Sony of trying to sabotage Microsoft acquisition

The CMA "seem like they've been co-opted by the FTC ideology, and [are] not really using independent thought, or thinking about how this transaction would positively impact the UK," Kotick told the Financial Times. He then went on to say that EU regulators had shown "a lot more insight and recognition of what the risks are in the economy from a macro perspective."

After calling UK prime minister Rishi Sunak "smart" and saying that he "understands business," Kotick went on to criticise the UK government. "It doesn't seem like there is any real vision in the leadership for pursuing these kinds of opportunities," Kotick said., "It seems like a bit of a fragile government. Where's the leadership? If I look at our hiring plans, we're more likely to find the next 3,000 to 5,000 people that we need in the UK than almost any other country."

Kotick then fired shots at Sony, accusing Microsoft's competitor of trying to sabotage the deal. "Suddenly, Sony's entire leadership team stopped talking to anyone at Microsoft," Kotick said. "I think this is all Sony just trying to sabotage the transaction. The whole idea that we are not going to support a PlayStation or that Microsoft would not support the PlayStation, it is absurd." Kotick also noted that his calls to Sony's top brass were also not returned.

When asked for comment, Sony told the Financial Times, "We are in contact with Microsoft and have no further comment regarding our private negotiations."

In December, the US Federal Trade Commission formally opposed Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, filing a lawsuit to block the deal. The EU recently issued Microsoft with a formal antitrust warning concerning the takeover. Microsoft believes it can address the European Commission's concerns.
Sean Carey
Written by Sean Carey
A big fan of Xbox achievements, Sean has committed to playing as many of the best RPGs, racing games, and first-person shooters on and off Xbox Game Pass as possible. Before joining TrueAchievements, Sean earned a degree in journalism from Solent University.
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