Why isn’t Sony talking to Microsoft more about the Activision merger?

According to multiple reports, Sony has dropped talks with Activision over the Microsoft merger. Both companies had talked openly about it some time ago. At the moment, it’s not certain that the Activision Blizzard-Microsoft merger will go through as monopoly concerns mount.

For some time now, the question has been whether Microsoft will actually buy Activision Blizzard or not. The deal has sparked a huge controversy, with many fearing Microsoft could create a monopoly in the gaming industry. These concerns are also currently being reviewed by several authorities, such as the UK Markets Authority, which also sees the potential for monopoly formation.

Sony no longer communicates with Microsoft over merger

Reports suggest that Microsoft is in touch with its closest competitor Sony, with the two companies discussing how Microsoft’s deal with Activision Blizzard should work going forward. Especially in terms of big games like Call of Duty, which is owned by Activision Blizzard but currently has an ongoing deal with Sony to provide exclusive content for the PlayStation.

A few weeks ago it was said that the two companies were openly communicating with each other, but apparently, that is no longer the case as it is now being claimed that Sony no longer wants to talk to Microsoft about the merger. The reasons for this are not entirely clear. As the Financial Times first reported, Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick says Sony “has stopped talking to anyone” about the potential mega-merger between the two companies.

Kotick said the entire Sony executive team suddenly stopped speaking to anyone at Microsoft. He thinks Sony is just trying to sabotage the transaction. “The whole idea that we won’t support the PlayStation or that Microsoft wouldn’t support the PlayStation is absurd.”
The reasons for Sony’s silence are not clear, however.

Time will tell if Sony decides to go back to Microsoft and if and how the two companies will work together in the future.

Will the merger happen?

Time will tell if Sony decides to go back to Microsoft and if and how the two companies will work together in the future. At the moment, the merger between Microsoft and Activision Blizzard looks rather shaky.

UK antitrust authorities have meddled in the deal, believing a monopoly could result. They have suggested that Activision Blizzard disband or split so the deal can go through. Activision Blizzard was set to be sold to Microsoft for $69 billion this year, but it’s doubtful the deal will go through at all.

Header: twitter.com/Robsoniecker