Japan’s supervisory authority: Microsoft deal does not harm Sony

It looks like regulators in Japan will give a “green light” to Microsoft’s proposed merger with Activision Blizzard. Japan’s competition authority has now said it will not block the $69 billion deal.

The Japan Fair Trade Commission issued a report concluding that the proposed acquisition is “unlikely to result in a material restriction of competition in certain areas of trade” and that they “will not issue a cease and desist order.” According to the Japanese regulator, the deal did not violate any competition rules.

A setback for the PlayStation in Japan

While Sony has been arguing vigorously against the massive merger planned in the US, EU and UK, it is very interesting how the Japanese react to it.

“There are competing companies and games that are distributed in digital form, so it is unlikely that there will be a shortage of supply capacity,” the Japan Fair Trade Commission said in its statement. VGC.com). The conclusion stated that “the acquisition will not limit competition in specific areas of business.”

A staged win for the Microsoft deal (at least in Japan)

After other countries such as Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Chile and Serbia have already agreed to the deal, Japan as a “video game country” is definitely an important temporary “victory” for Microsoft.

In order to get approval for the deal, Microsoft has informed the organizers that it is ready to release any new Call of Duty game To share with PlayStation consoles for 10 years. With the same functions and full content as Xbox. Nintendo and Nvidia, who will also acquire Call of Duty for their “ecosystem”, will also benefit.

The portfolio that Microsoft wants to acquire is impressive. In addition to Call of Duty and Candy Crush, there are a lot more you can get:

• Diablo
• StarCraft
• warcraft
• World of Warcraft
• Bandicoot Crash
• Guitar Champion
• Tony Hawk
• Spyro
• Hearthstone
• Heroes of the Storm
• skylanders
• Overwatch

Activision Blizzard It employs about 10,000 people with annual sales of approximately US$9 billion (2021).

Now Microsoft just needs to convince regulators in the US, EU and UK. But this endeavor will take some time.