Microsoft said it was “confident” it could address EU concerns after issuing a rust warning about its proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
As expected, this week the European Union issued Microsoft a fee sheet outlining its concerns about the $69 billion deal, Politico reports.
In response to the EU’s Statement of Objections, Microsoft told the publication that it was committed to “finding a way forward” for the deal.
A spokesperson for the European Commission said: “We are listening carefully to the European Commission’s concerns and are confident in our ability to address them.”
Modern Warfare II + Warzone 2.0 – PlayStation Advantage Announcement
What may be the gaming industry’s biggest ever deal has been met with fierce opposition from Sony and concerns from European, US and UK regulators.
Although the EU indictment has not been made public, regulators have expressed concerns that the acquisition could significantly reduce PlayStation’s ability to compete given that it would see Microsoft take ownership of the Call of Duty series, which Sony has described as “irreplaceable”. “.
In an effort to address these concerns, Microsoft recently said it offered Sony a legally enforceable 10-year contract to make every new Call of Duty game available on PlayStation the same day it is for Xbox.
Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan reportedly met with EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager last week to discuss the company’s concerns about Microsoft’s plans.
Soon after, Microsoft accused Sony of misleading the EU regulator about its commitment to keeping Call of Duty on PlayStation, should the acquisition be approved.
The European Commission is due to rule on the deal by April 11.
