The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) dealt a huge blow to Bill Gates and will try to block Microsoft Corporation from acquiring video game developer Activision Blizzard. Activision is behind games like Call of Duty.

The FTC is alleging the $69 billion deal, Microsoft’s largest ever and the largest ever in the video gaming industry, would allow Microsoft to suppress competitors to is Xbox gaming systems and its subscription content and cloud-gaming business.

“Microsoft has already shown that it can and will withhold content from its gaming rivals. Today we seek to stop Microsoft from gaining control over a leading independent game studio and using it to harm competition inmultiple dynamic and fast-growing gaming markets,” Holly Vedova, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Competition said.

The FTC said in the statement they issued, “In a complaint issued today, the FTC pointed to Microsoft’s record of acquiring and using valuable gaming content to suppress competition from rival consoles, including its acquisition of ZeniMax, parent company of Bethesda Softworks (a well-known game developer.)

“Microsoft decided to make several Bethesda’s titles including Starfield and Redfall Microsoft exclusives despite assurances it had given to European antitrust authorities that it had no incentive to withhold games from rival consoles.

“Microsoft’s Xbox Series S and Series X are one of only two types of high-performance video game consoles.”

“Importantly, Microsoft also offers a leading video game content subscription service called Xbox Game Pass, as well as a cutting-edge cloud-based video game streaming service, according to the complaint.”

“Activision is one of only a very small number of top video game developers in the world that create and publish high-quality video games for multiple devices, including video game consoles, PC’s, and mobile devices.”

“It produces some of the most iconic and popular video game titles, including Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Diablo, and Overwatch, with a combined 154 million monthly active users around the world, according to the FTC’s complaint.”

“Activision currently has a strategy of offering its games on many devices regardless of producer.”

“But that may change if the deal is allowed to proceed. With control over Activision’s blockbuster franchises, Microsoft would have both the means and motive to harm competition by manipulating Activision’s pricing, degrading Activision’s game quality or player experience on rival consoles and gaming services, changing the terms and timing of access to Activision’s content, or withholding content from competitors entirely, resulting inharm to consumers.”

“The Commission’s vote to issue the complaint was 3-1, with Commissioner Christine S. Wilson voting no. A copy of the administrative complaint will be available shortly.”

NOTE: The commission issues an administrative complaint when it has ‘reason to believe’ that the law has been or is being violated, and it appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest.

“The issuance of the administrative compliant marks the beginning of a proceeding in which the allegations will be tried in a formal hearing before an administrative law judge.”

“The FTC works to promote competition, and protect and educate consumers.” the statement said.

Support The DC Patriot at the links below 

FaithNFreedoms.com – Our Apparel Brand

OurGoldGuy.com – Tell them Matt Couch Sent you! 

PreparewithMatt.com – Long lasting food from our friends at My Patriot Supply 

Patreon.com/MattCouch – Support our work on Patreon 

Cash App – Support Matt Couch/DC Patriot on Cash App

Give Send Go – Support our work on Give Send Go