Console makers often collaborate with studios to optimize games for upcoming consoles to make sure that popular titles are compatible with upcoming hardware. However, this will be difficult when a console manufacturer isn't willing to share details about their consoles, especially if it hasn't been revealed yet. In a worst-case-scenario situation, this is what will happen with the PlayStation 6 and Activision Blizzard.
According to the deposition filed by the console maker with the US Federal Trade Commission on the Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard, PlayStation head Jim Ryan commented on its plan not to share confidential information about its upcoming console with a competitor.
Ryan said that if Activision becomes owned by Microsoft, it would force Sony to keep information about the PS6 away from the publisher.
In an FTC v MS/ABK deposition, PlayStation chief Jim Ryan said that, if deal closes, Sony couldn't tell Activision about its next console
Is then asked about Sony working with Mojang (Minecraft) after MS bought them. Discussion is redacted but Ryan says it supports this concern pic.twitter.com/M86CBm3CcY
— Stephen Totilo (@stephentotilo) June 21, 2023
Sony cites its collaboration with Mojang, the Microsoft-owned developer of the popular sandbox Minecraft, supports its concern. However, the deposition is heavily redacted and there is no real way to determine how PlayStation’s work with Mojang supports Sony’s concern over Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
Axios reporter Stephen Titilo recalls that Sony previously said that it collaborated with Activision Blizzard on the technical features for Call of Duty. While the deposition is redacted, it may have something to do with a feature of the PS5 like the DualSense controller’s adaptive triggers.
The deposition could mean that future Activision games could have fewer features designed for the PlayStation console. Sony argues that it would be hard for Activision Blizzard to achieve parity in its game on Xbox and PlayStation.
Ryan also believes that Microsoft would prioritize the overall Xbox business over improving Activision Blizzard games, saying:
I believe that their incentives — their primary incentive will, at post-acquisition, would be to optimise its overall Xbox business, not the business of Activision.
The statement is just a small snippet of a much bigger discussion that will be continuing until next week. The hearing is set to conclude next Thursday, June 29th. The FTC hopes to be granted a preliminary injunction that would block Microsoft from moving to close the deal while the legal proceedings are ongoing.
Microsoft may reportedly consider abandoning the deal if the preliminary injunction is granted. The tech giant believes that the legal proceedings would drag on for years and it would be too costly to pursue.
Microsoft is also appealing the decision of the UK CMA blocking the deal. The hearing for the appeal is set for late July. But, just when you thought things can't get worse for Microsoft, New Zealand recently raised concerns about the deal which is another obstacle that Microsoft needs to hurdle.
The tech giant recently had a small win as the "Gamer's lawsuit" has been dismissed again, but tis' a swift victory all things considered.
