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Inside Sony’s Console War Strategy: Paying Studios to Leave Xbox Game Pass

Sony's blackmail of studios could cost it dearly after Microsoft complaint

Inside Sony’s Console War Strategy: Paying Studios to Leave Xbox Game Pass
Juan Carlos Saloz

Juan Carlos Saloz

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Sony is on the warpath with Microsoft after Bill Gates’ company acquired Activision Blizzard. The relationship between the two companies could be at a point of no return. Every day new dirty details are uncovered about the deals Sony has apparently struck with studios to prevent their games from being available on Xbox Game Pass. Everything seems to indicate that there are agreements in place between Sony and various studios to prevent their games from being included in Microsoft’s subscription service.

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The Verge reports that the FTC (the US Federal Trade Commission) may ask Sony to disclose this information. For months now, Microsoft has been complaining that Sony’s dominant position in the industry could hurt its acquisition of Activision. And although it has finally acquired the studio, the problems just keep coming.

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What has happened between Microsoft and Sony?

As they report, Microsoft has offered favorable deals to Sony as well as Nintendo and Nvidia so that the Activision acquisition will not hurt them too much, and the latter two have accepted. However, Sony is still holding firm on its position.

If the FTC’s lawsuit is approved, Sony will be obliged to share the details of the agreements it has entered into since 2019, in order to analyze what kind of practices have been put in place. These agreements are aimed at preventing the inclusion of games in Xbox Game Pass, one of the most popular and valued services by Xbox users.

Microsoft contends that the complaint filed in this case includes several allegations related to exclusivity agreements that high-performance console manufacturers have with video game publishers. According to Microsoft, they are aware that Sony requires many third-party studios to agree to exclusivity provisions, including prohibiting those studios from distributing their games through the Xbox subscription service.

In order to properly defend themselves, it is important to fully understand the scope of Sony’s exclusivity agreements and their impact on the competitiveness of the industry. Therefore, they will have to analyze what exactly has happened in order to, perhaps, later fine them for this practice.

Juan Carlos Saloz

Juan Carlos Saloz

Cultural journalist specialized in film, series, comics, video games, and everything your parents tried to keep you away from during your childhood. Also an aspiring film director, screenwriter, and professional troublemaker.

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