Microsoft wanted to add its Xbox Game Pass service to PlayStation, but Sony blocked this proposal
Microsoft in a recent statement to the British competition regulator (CMA) said that it wanted to add its Game Pass service to PlayStation, but Sony "blocked" this proposal. This was told by The Verge editor Tom Warren.
Here's What We Know
With this decision, Microsoft wanted to reduce competition, but Sony decided not to agree to it. Here is how Microsoft comments on it:
"Sony has chosen to block Game Pass from PlayStation, so it is not available on PlayStation. As all games that are available on Game Pass are also available to purchase, PlayStation gamers will continue to have the ability to buy Call of Duty on PlayStation. And doing so will still cost less than the cost of switching by buying a new Xbox console"
Microsoft intends to add Activision games to Xbox Game Pass, increasing the value of its subscription and providing players on Game Pass platforms with another convenient opportunity to play Activision games. The company also said that Sony decided not to take such an open approach with PS Plus:
"Again, this increased competition has not been welcomed by the market leader Sony, which has elected to protect its revenues from sales of newly released games, rather than offer gamers the choice of accessing them via its subscription, PlayStation Plus"
Microsoft makes all these statements because the British antitrust regulator is investigating the deal between Microsoft and Activision Blizzard.
Flashback
In January, Microsoft announced the acquisition of Activision Blizzard - the creators of Call of Duty, Overwatch, World of Warcraft and other franchises. The transaction value is $68.7 billion, which is significantly more than the $7.5 billion that Microsoft spent on the acquisition of Bethesda back in 2020. The deal is the largest in the history of the gaming industry. The deal is expected to close in 2023.
Go Deeper:
Sony does not plan to add games on release to PlayStation Plus. The company wants to use the service as an opportunity to give projects a second wind.
Source: @tomwarren