In its most recent attempt to secure clearance for its pricey merger, Microsoft has informed New Zealand officials that the games produced by Activision Blizzard are “not distinctive.”
Microsoft claims that the gaming behemoth should be eligible for purchase because it doesn’t generate any “must-have” games in a report submitted to the Commercial Acquisitions and Business Permits Commission.
The declaration is a part of Microsoft’s attempts to calm worries that its merger with Activision Blizzard is endangering the gaming sector by posing difficulties in the competitive market. In the meantime time, Microsoft asserted that its rivals would be able to perform in the “brilliant” gaming industry without Activision Blizzard games just well.
Aside from Activision Blizzard, the great vast majority of games are created and released by companies like Sony, Nintendo, EA, and Take-Two.
There is nothing particularly distinctive about video games produced and released by Activision Blizzard, especially in that regard. There is no requirement for rival retailers of PC and console video games to express concerns about buyback.
Although this may come from a tech titan trying to acquire the studio, it is doubtful that the content of Activision Blizzard games will be affected by this. Activision Blizzard does not have a monopoly on any single genre.
Thus this assertion appears to be directed at regulators who might not be familiar with the game industry. This isn’t the only point the company is raising to ease concerns that the merger will give them an unfair advantage in the industry.
Microsoft also claims that the gaming industry has “low barriers to entry,” meaning that “content will remain available for distribution to competing PC, console, and mobile device distributors.”
It is increasingly likely that Microsoft will soon receive the regulatory approval it needs to proceed with the merger.
