The FTC is launching an investigation into Sony’s $3.6 billion Bungie acquisition

Any major acquisition over a certain value faces regulatory scrutiny, although recent changes at the FTC have empowered the commission over fears that big tech corporations are getting too powerful. Just as Microsoft is facing an in-depth investigation over its proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Sony is also facing an investigation for its proposed acquisition of Bungie. 

The US FTC has opened an investigation into Sony's $3.6 billion acquisition of Bungie, and according to sources speaking with The Information, the investigation could push back the closing date of the deal by as much as six months, so the deal likely won't complete until next year.

The FTC apparently has concerns over future Bungie games becoming platform exclusives. However, Bungie and Sony have previously announced that Bungie would be treated as an independent subsidiary, and will continue to focus on multiplatform releases. Microsoft has made similar assurances about Call of Duty, should its Activision Blizzard deal go through.

In recent years, the games industry has been going through a period of consolidation, leading to a number of acquisitions across the industry. While these deals weren't as scrutinised in previous years, the Joe Biden administration appointed a new head of the FTC last year, and empowered the commission to keep ‘big tech' corporations in check. With that in mind, major deals like this are becoming more complicated to push through.

KitGuru Says: Sony may not be able to close the Bungie deal this calendar year, but there seems to be little doubt that the deal will go through. It may just be a case of money changing hands in early 2023, instead of late 2022. 

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