Microsoft wants to push Activision deal in EU hearing for market competition

Microsoft chairman Brad Smith will try to convince EU antitrust regulators in a closed hearing on Tuesday that the US software giant’s $69 billion (roughly Rs. 5,71,800 crores) bid for Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard will spur competition. .

Smith will lead a delegation of 18 senior officials including microsoft gaming Chief Executive Officer Phil Spencer, while Activision It will be represented by CEO Robert Kotick, a European Commission document seen by Reuters showed.

will allow hearing xbox the creator Microsoft To gauge the mood of senior EU and national competition officials and European Commission lawyers before presenting measures to address antitrust concerns.

“I think we’ll make it clear that our acquisition activism blizzard It will “bring more games to more people on more devices and platforms than ever before,” Smith told reporters on the way to the hearing.

Microsoft was ready to address concerns Duty Licensing offer similar to 10 year deal nintendo and regulatory undertakings, Smith added without providing any further details.

Microsoft announced Activision acquisition in January last year to take on the leaders Tencent And SonyBut it has faced regulatory hurdles in Europe, Britain and the United States.

Sony, which wants to block the deal, sent its gaming chief, Jim Ryan.

Alphabet’s Google and chip designer and computing firm NVIDIAwho has a gaming business, also attended the hearing.

A Google spokesperson said, “The European Commission sought our views during its inquiry into this issue. We will continue to cooperate in any process, if requested, so that all views can be considered.”

Nvidia declined to comment. European Games Developer Federation, which has said the deal will allow it to challenge Microsoft Apple, Google And Tencent is one of the participants.

video game distributor valve, video game publisher electronic Arts And the German competition watchdog and its partners in Belgium, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Sweden will also take part in the event.

© Thomson Reuters 2023