Microsoft Activision Deal Scores UK Win
It’s official: Microsoft has won the battle against Sony in the UK, with the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) reversing its previous finding that the Activision-Blizzard merger presents no vertical foreclosure risks in the videogame console market.
This is a huge victory for Microsoft, and a big setback for Sony. The CMA’s decision means that Microsoft will now be able to continue offering its successful Xbox console with exclusive access to Activision-Blizzard’s popular “Call of Duty” franchise – a key selling point for the console in the UK.
The CMA’s reversal is a major reversal of fortune for Sony, which had previously been seen as the dominant player in the UK console market. This latest development will no doubt be a major blow to Sony’s plans for the future, and will no doubt lead to a major rethink of its strategy going forward.
Microsoft’s victory is a major coup for the company, and will no doubt be seen as a major win for the Xbox brand. This latest development is sure to further cement the Xbox’s position as the leading console in the UK, and will no doubt help to boost sales of the console going forward.
So, what does this latest development mean for the future of the videogame console market in the UK? Well, it’s hard to say for sure. What is certain, however, is that Microsoft now has the upper hand in the UK market, and it is likely to use this position of strength to its advantage in the coming months and years.
