Microsoft yesterday filed its response to the US Federal Commerce Fee’s antitrust criticism over its proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard, as reported by CNBC.
The 37-page response covers quite a few arguments Microsoft has already made in public or to different regulators, stating an absence of incentive to make Name of Obligation unique, a want to develop its minimal footprint within the cell gaming area, and portray Sony’s protestations as these of a dominant market chief trying to hinder disruptive innovation that would profit shoppers.
“Sony could favor to guard the revenues it will get from dearer particular person recreation gross sales, however the antitrust legal guidelines don’t serve to insulate the dominant market participant and its favored enterprise mannequin from competitors,” Microsoft mentioned.
Nonetheless, it additionally took problem with the FTC itself.
“These proceedings are invalid as a result of the construction of the Fee as an impartial company that wields vital government energy, and the related constraints on elimination of the Commissioners and different Fee officers, violates Article II of the US Structure and the separation of powers,” Microsoft mentioned.
It additionally took exception to the FTC’s follow of getting its complaints initially heard by administrative legislation judges which might be appointed by the FTC fairly than a decide from the federal circuit and district court docket system.
“The construction of those administrative proceedings, wherein the Fee each initiates and eventually adjudicates the Criticism in opposition to Microsoft, violates Microsoft’s Fifth Modification Due Course of proper to adjudication earlier than a impartial arbiter,” it mentioned.
Past its arguments, Microsoft additionally acknowledged in its response that it intends to make three future Zenimax titles unique to Xbox and PCs. Whereas the names of these video games have been redacted, Microsoft mentioned all three “are designed to be performed primarily alone or in small teams.”
It contrasted that to Name of Obligation, saying the Activision shooter was extra analogous to Zenimax video games it has continued to assist on a number of platforms like Fallout 76 or Elder Scrolls On-line, “as a result of these video games are designed to be performed collectively by broad communities of avid gamers on completely different platforms.”
