Activision Blizzard attacks Sony like never before: “They want to sabotage the purchase”

More than a year after the announcement Microsoft would buy Activision Blizzard For $68.700 million, the soap opera keeps adding chapters. This time hand in hand with Bobby Kotick. Is that the CEO of a California video game company? openly blamed Sonythe main opponents of the deal, desire to break the agreement.

In an interview with Financial Times, the controversial executive lashed out at the Japanese and called it absurd that they believe both Activision Blizzard and Microsoft plan to leave the PlayStation false. An argument that mainly comes from call of Dutythe Asians were instrumental in obtaining acquisition approval in the European Union, the UK and the US.

“Suddenly, Sony management stopped all communication with Microsoft. I think it’s all because Sony is trying to sabotage the deal.. The whole idea that we won’t support the PlayStation or that Microsoft won’t support the PlayStation is absurd,” said Bobby Kotick.

But Activision Blizzard’s CEO didn’t stop there: he even assured that top Sony executives They don’t even answer your calls anymore. A dart that seems to be specifically aimed at Jim Ryan, the leader of the PlayStation.

Activision Blizzard leader joins criticism of Sony

Bobby Kotick’s words are surprising not only because of the scale of his criticism of Sony, but also because so far stayed away controversy over call of Duty and the future of Activision Blizzard after the Microsoft purchase. In fact, the loudest when it comes to refuting PlayStation’s arguments. it was Phil SpencerCEO of Microsoft Gaming.

Last December, the aforementioned made a note accusing Sony of wanting to grow by shrinking the size of the Xbox. A rarity, given that the manager always tried to approach the dispute from a more conciliatory position.

“Sony is trying to defend its dominance in the console market, and its path to growth is downsizing the Xbox. They have a completely different view of the industry than we do. They don’t release their games on PC on the same day. [que en PlayStation], and they don’t include them in your subscription from launch. But Sony is debating why this deal shouldn’t go through to protect its dominance in consoles. call of DutySpencer said on the podcast. second request.

Another Microsoft executive who told Sony about the future of Activision Blizzard was Brad Smith. The company’s president stated that stopping Call of Duty on the PlayStation would be “disastrous and economically unsustainable”. Bye Satya Nadella, also did not spare darts against the Japanese. “If it’s for competition, let’s compete,” Redmond’s CEO said.

But we haven’t heard anything from Bobby Kotik so far. It’s right. Let’s not forget that the CEO of Activision Blizzard has been accused of being one of the promoters of a toxic culture within his company. And he was even the target of allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination. Therefore, it is logical to think that Microsoft tried to keep it as far away from the microphones as possible when working with Sony’s strategy to keep the purchase from flourishing.

Bobby Kotick also fired on the regulators

Bobby Kotick’s criticism is not limited to Sony and its attempt to stop Microsoft from acquiring Activision Blizzard. The businessman also spoke harshly against the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the UK Market and Competition Authority (CMA).

“It seems that [la CMA] was assimilated by the ideology of the FTCand it’s not really using independent thinking or thinking about how this deal will positively impact the UK,” Kotick said. Of course, the anger of UK and US regulators doesn’t seem like the smartest strategy to complete the purchase, but the executive wasn’t afraid to make his thoughts public.

It should be noted that in this sense was more lenient towards the European Commission’s scrutiny. EU regulators have shown “much greater awareness and acknowledgment of the risks in the economy from a macroeconomic perspective” if they decide to block the acquisition, he said.

In addition to his statements, the CEO of Activision Blizzard He is confident that the multi-million dollar purchase will be completed before July next year.. Even despite the legal pressure that the FTC is exerting both inside and outside the US. In fact, Kitty said Financial Times that Microsoft hired prominent lawyer Beth Wilkinson to meet North American regulatory requirements. “She feels that if she has to sue the FTC, she will tear them apart.”he explained.