Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick recently made headlines when he accused Sony of trying to sabotage Microsoft’s proposed takeover of the gaming giant. The comments, made in a letter to Activision Blizzard employees, have sparked a heated debate within the gaming community, with many wondering what this means for the future of both companies and the industry as a whole.

In this article, we will delve deeper into Kotick’s claims, explore the potential motivations behind Sony’s alleged actions, and discuss the broader implications of this ongoing saga.

Points:

  • Background: Microsoft’s Proposed Acquisition of Activision Blizzard
  • Kotick’s Accusations: What Did He Say?
  • Sony’s Response: Denial and Deflection
  • Potential Motivations: Why Would Sony Want to Sabotage the Deal?
  • Implications for the Industry: What Does This Mean for Gaming?


The ongoing saga of Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard has taken a dramatic turn as CEO Bobby Kotick accuses Sony of trying to sabotage the deal. But why would Sony do such a thing, and what does this mean for the future of the gaming industry?

Background: Microsoft’s Proposed Acquisition of Activision Blizzard

To understand the context of Kotick’s accusations, it’s important to first look at the proposed acquisition itself. In January 2022, Microsoft announced that it was planning to acquire Activision Blizzard for a staggering $68.7 billion, which would make it one of the largest acquisitions in gaming history.

The proposed deal would see Microsoft gain control of some of the biggest franchises in gaming, including Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Candy Crush. It would also give Microsoft a significant foothold in the mobile gaming market, where Activision Blizzard has had considerable success with titles like Candy Crush and King’s other popular mobile games.

Despite the potential benefits of the deal, it has faced some pushback from regulators and antitrust advocates, who argue that the acquisition would give Microsoft too much power in the gaming industry.

Kotick’s Accusations: What Did He Say?

In a letter to Activision Blizzard employees, Kotick accused Sony of attempting to sabotage the deal by blocking the release of certain games on the PlayStation platform. Specifically, he alleged that Sony was preventing the release of new games in the popular Call of Duty franchise on PlayStation, which could hurt the franchise’s overall revenue and ultimately impact the value of the Activision Blizzard acquisition.

Kotick also claimed that Sony was threatening to revoke its existing agreements with Activision Blizzard, which would result in the loss of revenue from existing games on PlayStation platforms.

According to Kotick, these actions were a deliberate attempt by Sony to “disrupt and impede” the Microsoft acquisition, and he urged Activision Blizzard employees to stand firm in the face of such tactics.

Sony’s Response: Denial and Deflection

In response to Kotick’s accusations, Sony issued a statement denying any attempts to sabotage the Microsoft acquisition. The company stated that it had not taken any action to prevent the release of new Call of Duty games on PlayStation, and that it remained committed to supporting the franchise on its platforms.

Sony also suggested that Kotick’s accusations were an attempt to deflect attention away from Activision Blizzard’s own issues, including the recent allegations of harassment and discrimination within the company.

While Sony’s response may have been expected, it has done little to quell the controversy surrounding Kotick’s claims. Many in the gaming community remain skeptical of Sony’s motives and are calling for further investigation into the matter.

Potential Motivations: Why Would Sony Want to Sabotage the Deal?

The question on everyone’s mind is why would Sony want to sabotage Microsoft’s acquisition

Also Read: