your current location is：Home > TechnologyHomeTechnology

Microsoftsaid SonyIt has previously declined to "list" an Xbox Game Pass subscription on the PlayStation platform. Ongoing Microsoft vs Activision BlizzardThe acquisition has led to a heightened conflict between the two companies, as Sony PlayStation believes that Call of Duty on Xbox Game Pass will prove anticompetitive. In its response, provided through the UK's Competition and Markets Authority, Microsoft said the situation was more complicated than it appeared.

　　As Tom Warre tweetedAs shared above, Microsoft is responding to PlayStation's argument that acquiring the Call of Duty franchise would be "good" for the Xbox subscription service. In other words, offering Call of Duty games through Xbox Game Pass rather than other subscription services would be anti-competitive and would irreparably damage Sony's own efforts. Microsoft has several arguments against Sony's view, many of which revolve around Sony's own approach to game subscription services.

　　First, Microsoft hinted that it was trying to offer Xbox Game Pass on the PlayStation. Presumably, this would make it clear that Microsoft isn't trying to limit Call of Duty's exclusive availability to any one hardware platform through subscription purchases. If Sony says exclusivity hurts its own consoles, Microsoft says it's more than willing to bring Xbox Game Pass to each other's platforms, the way PlayStation players can get Call of Duty games. However, Sony blocked Xbox Game Pass landing on the PlayStation.

　　Microsoft also believes that Sony has overstated its investment in game subscription services. Microsoft says Sony's own priority is "protecting its revenue from newly released game sales," an approach that has proven successful given its leadership in the market. Microsoft said Sony could increase the competitiveness of its PlayStation Plus subscription service by offering a variety of games it doesn't currently have. But it had previously chosen not to do so, indicating Sony's previous lack of interest in competing in this market.

　　IT House has learned that while Microsoft tries to weaken Sony's argument from multiple angles, there is also a tone that really hits the heart of the matter. That is, Sony's primary purpose is not fairness, nor whether Microsoft has become anticompetitive. Rather, Sony believes that slowing or preventing Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard would be a clear benefit to PlayStation.

　　It's unclear whether PlayStation's opposition will have any major impact on Microsoft. It is also necessary that Activision Blizzard's $69 billion takeover has been closely watched in both the EU and the UK. Still, even without further hurdles, Microsoft could close the acquisition much later than expected.