Microsoft president Brad Smith has posted a op-ed in The Wall Street Journal today detailing negotiations that have been in place between Microsoft and Sony to appease regulators over Microsoft’s takeover of Activison-Blizzard.
Scrutiny from US and EU Regulators over the takeover, particularly in relation to Call of Duty becoming Xbox exclusive has led Microsoft to offer Call of Duty to PlayStation for another 10 years, which they’re willing to commit in a legally binding document to appease both Sony and regulators.
“We’ve offered Sony a 10-year contract to make each new ‘Call of Duty’ release available on PlayStation the same day it comes to Xbox,” says Smith. “We’re open to providing the same commitment to other platforms and making it legally enforceable by regulators in the US, UK, and European Union.” continued Smith.
Another report by the New York Post today revealed that out of the four-person panel currently investigating the takeover, two of them are currently looking to side with Microsoft which would be enough for the takeover to pass.
This isn’t to FTC chair, Lina Khan’s liking who was looking to potentially look to block this deal to show the FTC’s dedication to reining in power of large tech companies. Khan is reportedly happy to potentially look at passing the deal based on concessions such as this one above in which Microsoft will make long-term commitments to ensure that its dealings aren’t anti competitive in the eyes of the FTC.
