L ‘European Union Officially started its investigation inAcquisition of Activision Blizzard from Microsoft. According to Reuters, the European antitrust has sent Developer surveys To hear their opinions and perhaps their concerns about this $68.7 billion gambit that could fundamentally change the balance of the market.
Developers will have until October 10 to answer the survey that includes about 100 questions Ranging from various topics such as the following reported by GamesIndustry:
- Whether the deal will affect the bargaining power of developers and publishers looking to sell console and PC games through Microsoft platforms and services
- How important is the Call of Duty franchise to platform owners and subscription service providers.
- Whether there are viable alternatives if Microsoft decides to make Activision Blizzard games on Xbox, Game Pass and Xbox Cloud Gaming exclusives.
- If it were the exclusivity of Activision Blizzard games, it would give Microsoft and then Windows an advantage over the PC.
- If the huge amount of data on Activision users would give Microsoft some advantage in developing, publishing and distributing video games.
- Whether the deal can change consumers’ perception of more attractive cloud gaming services.
As we can see, the issues dealt with are of great importance, and therefore the choice to listen to expert opinions seems undoubtedly logical by European antitrust.
Europe began its analysis of the Activision Blizzard acquisition in late September, with a deadline for the first phase set for November 8. Microsoft may also provide more documentation by that date, before a possible second phase if European organizations consider further investigation necessary.
However, yesterday the Brazilian antitrust gave its approval to the takeover, stating that in its opinion it would not lead to monopoly risks.
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