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EU
antitrust regulators are due to make a preliminary decision by
Nov. 8 on whether to clear Microsoft's proposed $69 billion
acquisition of Activision.
The EU competition enforcer also asked if Activision's trove of
user data would give the U.S. software giant a competitive
advantage in the development, publishing and distribution of
computer and console games, the EU document shows.
The planned acquisition, the biggest in the gaming industry,
will help Microsoft better compete with leaders Tencent and
Sony.
After its decision next month the European Commission is
expected to open a four-month long investigation, underscoring
regulatory concerns about Big Tech acquisitions.
Games developers, publishers and distributors were asked whether
the deal would affect their bargaining power regarding the terms
for selling console and PC games via Microsoft's Xbox and its
cloud game streaming service Game Pass.
Regulators also wanted to know if there would be sufficient
alternative suppliers in the market following the deal and also
in the event Microsoft decides to make Activision's games
exclusively available on its Xbox, its Games Pass and its cloud
game streaming services.
They asked if such exclusivity clauses would reinforce
Microsoft's Windows operating system versus rivals, and whether
the addition of Activision to its PC operating system, cloud
computing services and game-related software tools gives it an
advantage in the video gaming industry.
They asked how important the Call of Duty franchise is for
distributors of console games, third-party multi-game
subscription services on computers and providers of cloud game
streaming services.
The questionnaire, with about 100 questions, asked which of the
rivals such as Nvidia's GeForce Now, Sony's Playstation, Google
Stadia, Amazon Luna and Facebook Gaming could be considered the
most attractive following the deal.
Respondents have until Oct. 10 to reply.
(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Susan Fenton)
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