FTC Fights to Block Microsoft's Activision Deal Over Concerns for Sony, Not Consumers

The FTC focused its arguments on how the acquisition would negatively impact Sony rather than on harm to consumers.
The deal's impact on Call of Duty and its potential to become an Xbox exclusive was central to the FTC's concerns.
Sony has rejected proposed 10-year deals to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation, fueling speculation the game could become exclusive to Xbox.
The FTC ignored instances of Sony making certain games exclusive and struggled to prove how many PlayStation owners would switch to Xbox if Call of Duty became exclusive.
The hearing touched on issues like market definition, cloud gaming deals, and the future of subscriptions and cloud gaming.