Activision Exec Defends Xbox Deal, Says The Last of Us’ HBO Success Proves Competition Concerns Are Unfounded

With Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard facing resistance from the United States’ FTC (among other regulatory bodies), both companies have been presenting arguments against the agency’s claims that Sony and others in the market would be impacted by the lessened competition that the deal would result in, if it were allowed to go through.

Activision Blizzard’s CCO and EVP Corporate Affairs, Lulu Chen Meservey, recently took to Twitter for the same purpose, and interestingly enough, chose to use The Last of Us’ HBO adaptation as evidence that the aforementioned concerns are unfounded. Pointing to the TV show’s widespread critical and commercial success, Meservey said Sony’s “unrivaled warchest of IP, not just in gaming but TV, movies, and music” proves there’s “no cause for concern”. She also added that this “warchest” can be “developed into games, or can market existing games.”

“Case in point: the TV show The Last of Us is already generating renewed interest in that game,” Meservey said. Following The Last of Us’ successful debut on HBO, PS5’s The Last of Us Part 1 and PS4’s The Last of Us Remastered both saw significantly boosted physical and digital sales in the UK.

“Sony’s talent and IP across gaming, TV, movies, and music are formidable and truly impressive,” Meservey added. “It’s no wonder they also continue to dominate as the market leader for consoles. In gaming, Sony is ‘the first of us’ – and they will be just fine without the FTC’s protection.”

The Last of Us has enjoyed impressive viewership numbers worldwide, and has also been officially renewed for a second season.

Meanwhile, Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard is also continuing to be investigated by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority, which recently extended the deadline for the same by eight weeks. Reports have also claimed that the European Commission is likely to pose antitrust objections to the deal.

Hi @FTC — did you catch last night’s episode of The Last of Us? It was incredible.

No wonder the show is breaking records. It’s a true blockbuster, watched by tens of millions.

If you haven’t already, you should check it out. You may be particularly interested in the fact that pic.twitter.com/MhcT0DmOsM

— Lulu Cheng Meservey (@lulumeservey) January 30, 2023

The FTC has opposed the Microsoft – Activision Blizzard deal on the grounds that Microsoft could “suppress competition” from rival consoles by leveraging Activision games.

It sounds like there’s some worry that Sony’s position as market leader could be jeopardized by this deal.

— Lulu Cheng Meservey (@lulumeservey) January 30, 2023

Sony’s talent and IP across gaming, TV, movies, and music are formidable and truly impressive.

It’s no wonder they also continue to dominate as the market leader for consoles.

In gaming, Sony is “the first of us” – and they will be just fine without the FTC’s protection.

— Lulu Cheng Meservey (@lulumeservey) January 30, 2023