Read Microsoft’s response to the FTC’s Activision Blizzard lawsuit

Microsoft has filed its response to the lawsuit filed by the US Federal Trade Commission to dam the corporate’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard. In the 37-page doc, which you’ll learn in full beneath, Microsoft argues its case for why its $68.7 billion acquisition ought to undergo — it additionally defends its acquisition of Bethesda proprietor ZeniMax, whereas admitting that it’s planning to make three future titles from the corporate unique to Xbox and PC.

Microsoft’s submitting pushes again in opposition to the FTC’s issues generally, and in addition addresses the regulator’s particular arguments. It additionally comprises a whole lot of the trademark self-denigration that Microsoft has grow to be well-known for in latest months, because it tries to color itself as a comparatively weak participant within the gaming house in comparison with its rivals.

In its grievance, the FTC argued that buying Activision Blizzard would “enable Microsoft to suppress competitors to its Xbox gaming consoles and its rapidly growing subscription content and cloud-gaming business.” There’s additionally been a whole lot of concern about the way forward for Call of Duty, to the purpose the place Xbox boss Phil Spencer publicly promised that the franchise will likely be accessible on PlayStation so long as PlayStations exist. In its response to the FTC, Microsoft cites its promise to develop, not restrict, the supply of Activision’s flagship sequence by bringing it to the Nintendo Switch.

In a press release to The Verge, Activision Blizzard’s CEO Bobby Kotick additionally argued for the deal to undergo, saying:

There is not any smart, authentic cause for our transaction to be prevented from closing. Our trade has huge competitors and few boundaries to entry. We have seen extra gadgets than ever earlier than enabling gamers a variety of selections to play video games. Engines and instruments are freely accessible to builders massive and small. The breadth of distribution choices for video games has by no means been extra widespread. We imagine we’ll prevail on the deserves of the case.

And right here’s a direct assertion from Microsoft president Brad Smith:

Even with confidence in our case, we stay dedicated to artistic options with regulators that may shield competitors, shoppers, and employees within the tech sector. As we’ve discovered from our lawsuits prior to now, the door by no means closes on the chance to seek out an settlement that may profit everybody.

Here’s the remainder of Microsoft’s argument about why there shouldn’t be antitrust issues with it shopping for Activision Blizzard:

Update, 10:05PM ET: Added assertion from MS president Brad Smith.