Microsoft accuses Sony of “blocking” Game Pass – News

Microsoft accuses Sony of "blocking" Game Pass - News

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In a document addressed to Brazil’s Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE), which acts as the executive arm of Brazil’s government regulator, Microsoft has made serious allegations against Sony. The Japanese company would actively hinder the growth of the Xbox Game Pass through questionable exclusive contracts with publishers and developers. Sony would pay “bribes” and thus “block” rights so that games could not be included in Microsoft’s subscription service.

In Brazil, the pending takeover of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft is currently being examined by the Ministry of Justice for competition conformity. In this context, Sony was the only company that had been questioned by the authorities in advance – Apple, Google, Warner Bros., Bandai Namco and Ubisoft, among others, were interviewed about the planned takeover – lodged a direct complaint and was concerned about the alleged distortion of competition shown.

In particular, Sony was concerned with a possible Game Pass exclusivity of the Call of Duty franchise, although Microsoft had previously commented and made it clear that relevant contracts between Activision Blizzard and Sony, which were negotiated and concluded before the takeover, would be respected. were named directly COD – Modern Warfare 2, COD – Warzone 2 and the next installment in the main series, which are also slated for release on the PlayStation platform. Sony describes the Call of Duty games as so “essential” in their effect on customers that limited availability could steer players’ hardware purchases in a certain direction. Nothing else has been practiced by Sony itself for years through the console exclusivities.

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This is exactly what Microsoft’s allegations are based on. The Redmond-based group accuses Sony of “incoherence” and sees less justified concerns from a competitor, but rather an “active torpedoing” of innovative business models such as Game Pass, which offers “extensive and high-quality content at a reasonable price”. Sony would be “scared” of such a “player-centric” philosophy as the Japanese company, in its role as a leading gaming content provider, still relies on a console-hardware-centric and platform-exclusivity-focused conservative strategy would. The contracts and the payments they contain would impede growth, innovation and the free availability of products.

Basically, both companies accuse each other of similar misconduct that is now more or less common in the industry. Think of the approach of Epic Games, Electronic Arts, Apple or Google Stadia. So far, Sony has not responded to the allegations, but it is expected in the near future.

Reference-www.gamersglobal.de