Microsoft signs deal with Nvidia, but is 'not close' to deal with Sony over Activision Blizzard
Updated: Microsoft rejects the idea that it could sell a part of the business, such as Call of Duty, to get the deal approved
Sony remains opposed to Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, despite the two companies meeting in Brussels today.
But Microsoft has reached a deal with Nvidia, which will see Xbox games (that are also on PC) released on Nvidia's GeForce Now cloud service. This will include Activision Blizzard games (and Call of Duty) if the deal goes through. It follows a similar deal the firm has signed with Nintendo.
Persons familiar with the situation told GamesIndustry.biz that a deal is ‘not close’, earlier today, and it's a report backed up by Microsoft's Brad Smith in a post-hearing press conference.
It follows a closed hearing at the European Commission, as Microsoft tries to convince the European regulator to approve its bid to buy the Call of Duty publisher.
Smith addressed regulators in a briefing with media, where he urged them to approve the deal arguing it will enable more gamers to access these games.
Smith also rejected the idea that the company could sell a part of Activision Blizzard — such as the Call of Duty business — to get deal approved. These structural changes were proposed by the UK regulator the CMA.
In a statement to GamesIndustry.biz, Activision Blizzard added: "The European Commission‘s mission is to protect European consumers, not the global market leader. Sony is attempting to undermine that goal, to protect its two-decade dominance in video games. We are confident regulators will find that our proposed merger will enhance competition and create greater opportunities for workers and better games for our players."
Other companies at the hearing include Activision Blizzard itself, Google, Nvidia and other interested parties and games experts.
The deal is facing opposition from regulators in Europe, UK and US. The US regulator, the FTC, is taking the deal to court in an effort to block it. Both Europe and the UK regulators have asked Microsoft to offer remedies to its concerns in order to get the deal approved.