Sony: No PlayStation 6 Information for Activision if Microsoft Deal Goes Through

The $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft is facing significant scrutiny and legal challenges on a global scale. However, the main obstacle to the deal’s completion arises from Microsoft’s home country, the United States. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has recently recommended blocking the Activision-Microsoft merger.

While both Microsoft and Activision Blizzard have expressed their intention to appeal this decision, an interesting revelation has emerged from the ongoing FTC vs. Microsoft/Activision Blizzard case.

A redacted document of a deposition involving PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan, which is part of the aforementioned court case, sheds light on Sony’s stance regarding the potential acquisition of Activision by Microsoft. The document reveals that Sony would withhold crucial information and developer kits for the future PlayStation consoles (PlayStation 6) from Activision in the event of their acquisition by Microsoft.

Jim Ryan also states that Sony and Activision have collaborated closely to optimize Activision games (Call of Duty), for PlayStation consoles. However, the redacted document does not disclose the specifics of this collaboration.

But Jim Ryan makes it clear that for the upcoming PlayStation 6, Sony would not extend the same level of cooperation due to the sensitive nature of the information involved. Sony does not want this vital data to fall into the hands of a company owned by a direct competitor like Microsoft (Xbox).

We simply could not run the risk of a company that was owned by a direct competitor having access to that information.”

Jim Ryan

Furthermore, Ryan emphasizes that if the acquisition were to proceed, Activision’s primary focus would shift toward enhancing and optimizing the overall Xbox business, rather than solely promoting the growth of Activision itself.

So it is clear that if the Activision-Microsoft deal is successful, Sony will prevent Activision Blizzard from accessing PlayStation 6 development kits and related information. What are your thoughts on this? Do you think this can lead to Sony preventing Activision from releasing their games on PlayStation consoles? Let’s discuss this in the comments section below.