The FTC Isn't The Only Group Unhappy With Microsoft's Acquisition Of Activision, Gamers Are Speaking Out As Well
Image Source: Spectrumnews.com
The drama surrounding Microsoft’s blockbuster deal to acquire Activision has taken yet another turn, but this one may be more unexpected.
When the next-gen console battle began two years ago between Microsoft’s XBox Series X and Sony’s PlayStation 5, Microsoft threw everything but the kitchen sink to win back a significant share in a market Sony had in a stranglehold for some time. Since then, Microsoft has invested in several in-house studios, and it has started buying third parties seemingly at will, including a giant deal with Bethesda. Microsoft then made the biggest splash of all with its $68.7 billion purchase of Activision Blizzard, the publisher of major franchises like Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Diablo, and Overwatch.
The Activision deal has caused a lot of commotion throughout the industry and within its own walls. Activision was sued by several employees, and the CEO was forced to step down. Back in August, Phil Spencer, the head of XBox, said he was confident in the progress to complete the acquisition. But since then, The FTC sued Microsoft over concerns about the future of Call of Duty. Sony has publicly criticized Microsoft’s moves, as well.
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Now, not two weeks later, Microsoft has been sued by an unlikely group: the fans. A group of 10 gamers filed a federal antitrust lawsuit in San Francisco specifically against Microsoft. The gamers wanted to block what they feel could turn into an unprecedented monopoly, particularly with one of the best-selling franchises in the history of entertainment in Call of Duty.
The Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914 gives Americans the right to sue companies over anticompetitive behavior. The legal suit states the following: “Microsoft already controls one of the industry’s most popular and largest video game ecosystems. The proposed acquisition would give Microsoft an unrivaled position in the gaming industry, leaving it with the greatest number of must-have games and iconic franchises.”
The fact that Microsoft is being sued for having too many first-party franchises after lagging in that area for many years is not without a bit of irony. We’ll see how Microsoft continues to handle its legal pressures in the near future.
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