Gamers are suing Microsoft for thwarting its merger with Activision

Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914 It gives Americans the right to sue companies for anti-competitive behavior, a fact that 10 self-described gamers are using to sue Microsoft, aiming to stop the company’s acquisition of Activision.

Such as reported by Bloomberg LawComplaint filed today, which I got Kotakustates that the plaintiffs, or “video game enthusiasts” as they have been described, are concerned that ” [Microsoft and Activision] A merger may significantly reduce competition or tend to create a monopoly; The complaint states that this merger specifically violates Section 7 of the Clayton Act, which states that acquisitions that reduce competition are prohibited by US antitrust law. The complaint not only cites the size and scope of the Activision and Microsoft merger as problematic, but Also, this latest proposed union follows several other Microsoft acquisitions from its 2014 purchase of Mojang all the way back. for its acquisition of Rare in 2002.

With a sweeping layout of console, PC, and AAA games, as well as subscription services such as “related product marketplaces,” the suit draws attention to the number of large franchises that would fall under Microsoft’s umbrella should a merger happen. Call of dutyAnd the World of WarcraftAnd the Maine CraftAnd the deathAnd the Microsoft Flight SimulatorAnd the HelloAnd the Sheikh’s manuscripts are just some of the examples mentioned. It confirms that Microsoft and Activision are currently competing directly through these titles and services such as Battle.net, the Microsoft Store, and Game Pass. The merger will shatter that competitive dynamic.

The lawsuit alleges that if the merger proceeds, Microsoft will retain “significant market power and the ability to withhold key input from competitors and further harm competition.” The suit mentions competition both as it pertains to sales to consumers, as well as competition in the industry to “recruit and retain talent within the video game workforce,” which would be “diminished” under the merger.

Kotaku Microsoft has reached out for comment.

The proposed Microsoft / Activision merger has been the subject of controversy ever since its initial announcement. Perhaps the most worrisome thing for Microsoft is The recently filed lawsuit from the FTC. The feds claim that if such a merger occurs, it will seriously harm competition in the video game industry, citing Microsoft’s past behavior of prioritizing Xbox and Windows as platforms for its games. Microsoft disagreed, stating that the acquisition of Activision “would bring Call of duty For more players and platforms than ever before.

Talking about Call of dutyHowever, in response to criticism of the planned merger with Activision, Microsoft vowed to continue with it receipt Call of duty for other platforms for at least 10 years. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer has it Sony reviews rated the acquisition as an attempt to “protect its dominant position on the console” and that it seeks growth by “making the Xbox smaller”.