It appears that recently released internal emails between Microsoft employees show that the gaming giant is concerned about “fanboy” reviewers ruining their reputation. The internal emails come in light of the ongoing legal battle between the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) and Microsoft regarding their proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
The acquisition would see Microsoft purchase Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion. The ongoing case sees the FTC attempting to impose a preliminary injunction on Microsoft and Activision Blizzard. If successful, it would mean the acquisition could not be completed while the FTC’s review of the transaction’s compliance with U.S. antitrust law is ongoing.
Some of the bigger moments of today’s FTC vs. Microsoft-Activision trial
– Reading of PlayStation chief’s candid email in which he sounded less alarmed by the deal
– FTC drilling Xbox/Bethesda execs on pursuits of exclusives via acquisitionhttps://t.co/Dkl2xTkqRV— Stephen Totilo (@stephentotilo) June 23, 2023
Furious Fanboys: Why are Microsoft Concerned about Reviewers?
From all of the emails being used as exhibits within the case one that sticks out relates to the alleged “pettiness from Sony and Gamespot fanboy reviewers”. This email in particular comes from Microsoft CEO, Phil Spencer and although it is from 2019 the word choice used is a somewhat weird way to refer to active journalists and games reviewers.
The comment also seems to target Gamespot. With the reference towards the gaming publication, possibly relating to the fact it gave Gears of War 5 a seven out of ten earlier in the month before the email was sent.
Related: The Microsoft/Activision Deal May Be Blocked In Yet Another Country!
Although this may not be the most important email of note concerning the ongoing case, it seems that in 2019 Microsoft was worried in some capacity, about their brand being ruined by a possible Sony bias within the media. The decision to speak of a bias in such a defensive manner is not a good look for Microsoft as they are attempting to gain support for their case against the FTC.
Some sort of 2019 forward to Xbox execs re “pettiness from Sony and Gamespots fanboy reviewers”
(Not sure what the deal was with GameSpot, but they did give Gears 5 a 7 earlier that month) pic.twitter.com/D3dVqZJKZq
— Stephen Totilo (@stephentotilo) June 21, 2023
Objection!?: What is Happening in The Microsoft Case Currently?
While the current legal battle with the FTC is ongoing, Microsoft has also had yet another lawsuit to contend with over the last few months. The plaintiffs of which are just normal gamers who also aimed to block the acquisition.
Even though it was initially dismissed, they were allowed to amend and refile the suit, managing to get some assistance from Sony as well. Sony’s insistence to help level another case against Microsoft, while also raising concerns over the merger, lends credence to the idea that they are desperately planning on countering the deal on all fronts possible.
However, there has since been another twist in the FTC case. Newly released emails from Sony’s PlayStation chief, Jim Ryan, show that he believed Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard was never about locking games as Xbox exclusives. Microsoft’s counsel unveiled the exchange between Ryan and a former Sony CEO discussing the announcement of the deal last year:
“It is not an exclusivity play at all,” said Ryan. “They’re thinking bigger than that and they have the cash to make moves like this. I’ve spent a fair amount of time with [Phil] Spencer Bobby [Kotick] and I’m pretty sure we will continue to see Call of Duty on PlayStation for years to come.”
The content of this email may come as somewhat of a surprise to some, given all of the arguments that Sony has raised against Microsoft’s Activision deal in the past few months. Although Sony has continued to maintain that it still fears that its competitor could make Call of Duty exclusive to Xbox, this unsealed email may even be a sign of a possible division within the Sony camp.
With this being an ongoing trial and each day bringing out new information that can either help or hinder Microsoft’s defence of the deal, there are sure to be many more interesting revelations. Be sure to stay tuned to FandomWire, where we will be sure to cover any other big news pertaining to this case as it comes out!
Source: Axios Journalist Stephen Totilo.
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