PlayStation Boss reportedly doesn’t want Call of Duty deal, “I just want to block your merger”

The planned acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft has not been smooth sailing, with the entire ordeal getting messier with Sony trying its hardest to convince regulators to block the deal, while Microsoft is doing everything it can to get it approved. One of the biggest talking points has been what will happen to Call of Duty if the deal passes. It seems from Sony’s perspective however that their objections stem from the entire deal as a whole, with PlayStation Head Jim Ryan reportedly saying “I don’t want a new Call of Duty deal. I just want to block your merger.”

The Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard has been in a state of limbo as parties on all sides voice their opinions on this nearly $70 Billion deal. With Call of Duty being one of the biggest gaming franchises much of the discourse surrounding the deal has pertained to COD remaining on other platforms should the deal go through.

Speaking on the ongoing discussions, the EVP of Corporate Affairs and CCO of Activision Blizzard Lulu Cheng took to Twitter to offer some inside information, saying:

‘Microsoft offered Sony (the dominant console leader for well over a decade, with 80% market share) a 10 year agreement on far better terms than Sony would ever get from us. We've also offered Sony guaranteed long-term access to Call of Duty. But they keep refusing. Why? The CEO of SIE [Jim Ryan] answered that question in Brussels. In his words: “I don’t want a new Call of Duty deal. I just want to block your merger.”’

This comment was reportedly made on the 21st of February meaning a lot could have changed between now and then, but it is highly interesting nonetheless to see that from Sony’s perspective, it is not a matter of getting a good Call of Duty deal.

Of course, while COD is the biggest of Activision Blizzard’s franchises, the publisher is home to countless IP both small and large, including but certainly not limited to: Warcraft; Spyro The Dragon; Crash Bandicoot; Diablo; Overwatch; Guitar Hero; Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater; Starcraft and Tenchu. It will be interesting to see how the proceedings develop as this saga continues.

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KitGuru says: What do you think of Jim Ryan’s statement? Do you think the acquisition will go through? Let us know down below.

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