Microsoft reportedly set to offer ‘concessions’ to regulators in Activision Blizzard deal

Recently Microsoft made it known that it would be willing to offer Sony a substantial guarantee for future Call of Duty support as part of its on-going effort to push the Activision Blizzard acquisition through. Now, according to sources familiar with the situation, Microsoft is preparing to make several concessions to regulators to help alleviate ongoing concerns around the deal. 

Regulators have raised a number of concerns around the merger. In particular, there has been concern around the future of Call of Duty on PlayStation, as well as concern over Xbox Game Pass monopolising the game subscription market. According to a source familiar with talks, speaking with Reuters, Microsoft is prepared to offer concessions in the coming weeks in an effort to speed up the regulatory process.

These concessions can range considerably and we don't know just how much Microsoft is willing to give up in order to make the acquisition happen. It is likely that a long-term agreement to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation will be involved. Microsoft is unlikely to waver on the idea of bringing future Call of Duty games to Xbox Game Pass, but perhaps we'll see Microsoft cut a deal to ensure Call of Duty titles can also come to PlayStation Plus after a set amount of time. Microsoft has supported PS+ with some of its Bethesda titles in the past, including The Elder Scrolls Online, Fallout 76 and most recently, Deathloop.

Currently, Microsoft is aiming to have the acquisition deal closed by mid-2023. If Microsoft can get regulators on its side by the end of their respective ‘phase 2' investigations, then it should be able to meet that deadline.

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KitGuru Says: It will be interesting to see what terms Microsoft may propose here, and whether or not it will be enough to convince regulators. Hopefully we'll have another update on this in the coming weeks. 

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