Xbox has released a landing page highlighting the benefits of the company’s $68.7 billion attempt to acquire Activision-Blizzard.
Amidst the news of PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan reportedly flying to Brussels to plead with European Union regulators regarding the acquisition, Microsoft has added a directory page to the company website outlining what Microsoft perceives to be the benefits of the acquisition.
According to the opening statement, Microsoft wants to “enable people to play games anywhere, anytime and on any device.” There is a table included on the page that outlines what these benefits are for players, developers and the industry as a whole.
For players, the acquisition will result in “more games on more devices including Xbox, PlayStation, phones and online.” Per Microsoft, the acquisition will lead to more device and purchase diversity, rather than less. Also mentioned is the mobile market, in which Microsoft has made clear it wants to play a bigger role.
For ‘game creators’, the acquisition will allow developers to “get games in front of more players” through support and investment. Using the Microsoft Store, there will be “better revenue and fair marketplace rules.” Finally, there will be “greater flexibility in payment systems” and how experiences are provided to fans.
Lastly, the benefits to the industry as a whole includes “More competition in mobile, where a couple of big players dominate.” Interestingly, Microsoft then say the acquisition would bring “greater competition in traditional gaming, where Sony and Nintendo will remain the biggest.” It’s not clear in what specific metric Microsoft believes Sony and Nintendo to be the “biggest.”
Lastly, and likely in connection with recent Activision-Blizzard controversies, Microsoft believes the acquisition will bring an “Emphasis on positive workplace culture and increased local investment from Microsoft in studios and creative ecosystems around the world.”
It’s difficult to express the depth of every point on a small visual representation like the table Microsoft provided, but it’s not entirely clear how the acquisition in particular achieves several of the objectives above. Why is Microsoft’s expansion in the mobile market contingent specifically on acquiring Activision-Blizzard? How will Sony and Nintendo remain the “biggest” companies in traditional gaming post-takeover?
The acquisition remains under investigation by competition authorities, with Sony vocally opposing the deal.