Jim Ryan is said to have met privately with the EU’s antitrust chief to talk about the deal between Microsoft and Activision.
According to VGC , Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan is said to have met EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager to discuss Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
This information is based on a Reuters news source, but the site declined to provide details of the discussion between the PlayStation boss and Vestager.
Microsoft is currently looking to complete a $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, but the game industry’s biggest deal ever has been met with stiff opposition from Sony and concerns from regulators in Europe, the US and the UK.
According to a Reuters report, the Sony CEO’s recent move will be the latest obstacle on the road to closing the deal, with the EU expected this week to issue Microsoft a list of allegations outlining its concerns about buying.
Recently, Microsoft is offering remedies to EU regulators in an attempt to counter the objection. However, it was stated that the EU was not ready to apply the remedies before the list of charges was made.
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) also recently sued Microsoft for wanting to block the deal, arguing that if Activision was acquired, it would give the Xbox console a huge advantage, the content posted subscription and cloud gaming business.
Among other concerns, regulators have expressed concern that the deal could significantly reduce PlayStation’s ability to compete, as they will see Microsoft acquire ownership of the classic Call of Duty series. Duty.
In an effort to address these concerns, Microsoft recently said it offered Sony a legally enforceable 10-year contract that would make it possible to offer every new Call of Duty game on PlayStation alongside Xbox.
The acquisition will also give Microsoft exclusive rights to franchise games like Warcraft, Overwatch, Crash Bandicoot, and Guitar Hero .
The European Commission is expected to issue a ruling on the deal by April 11. For the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority, the publication of the final report on the deal will take place before the date. 26.4.