A deal between Sony and Microsoft concerning the latter’s impending acquisition of Activision Blizzard is yet to happen. According to GamesIndustry.biz, deal between the two console makers is “not close”. This has since been backed up by Microsoft’s Brad Smith during a press conference after Microsoft’s recent hearing with the European Commission.
Talking about the hearing, Smith also stated that Microsoft will not be considering selling off a part of Activision Blizzard’s business—like the Call of Duty franchise—to allow the deal to go through global business regulators like the European Commission, UK’s CMA, and the US Federal Trade Commission. The CMA and FTC have both previously asked Microsoft to offer solutions to objections about the deal.
“The European Commission‘s mission is to protect European consumers, not the global market leader,” said Activision Blizzard in a statement to GI.biz. “Sony is attempting to undermine that goal, to protect its two-decade dominance in video games. We are confident regulators will find that our proposed merger will enhance competition and create greater opportunities for workers and better games for our players.”
Several companies were present at the hearing for Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard with the European Commission, including Google, Nvidia, and Activision Blizzard.