Microsoft and Xbox executives will personally defend the company before the court to block Activision's acquisition of Blizzard

Microsoft has sent CEO Satya Nadella, Xbox chief Phil Spencer and other executives to defend the case opened by the US Federal Trade Commission over Activision's acquisition of Blizzard.

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This week, Nadella and Activision CEO Bobby Kotick will appear in court to defend themselves against a potential injunction against the $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, which began early last year. Microsoft admits that if the FTC is successful, the deal could be cancelled.

PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan will also testify via video link to discuss competition in the market. Sony has decided not to appear in person at the hearing in San Francisco, unlike Microsoft, which has brought its senior executives to the fore to answer questions about its business strategy. David Cuddy, general manager of public affairs at Microsoft, said: "This deal means more options for gamers, and that fact becomes clearer the more you look at it."

The outcome of the hearing is of great importance for Microsoft after the FTC filed an injunction against Activision's acquisition of Blizzard. The FTC is seeking an injunction from a US federal district court a few weeks before the deal's deadline of 18 July. If the injunction is granted, Microsoft will not be able to complete the deal with Activision until the outcome of the FTC's initial court challenge filed last year.

Source: The Verge