According to Microsoft, Sony gives developers “blocking rights” to prevent them from adding their games to Game Pass.
The Verge reports that the claims are based on a filing made with Brazil’s competition regulator as part of an investigation into Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard. According to the filing, which was made on August 9th and is translated from Portuguese into English, Microsoft’s efforts to expand Game Pass were “hampered” by Sony’s desire for such growth. Further, the filing claims Sony pays for “blocking rights” to stop developers from adding content on Game Pass and other subscription services.
This accusation by Microsoft comes after Sony claimed that Microsoft’s purchase of Activision Blizzard could impact players’ decision-making about whether they want to buy an Xbox or PlayStation. This is due to Call of Duty’s huge appeal, thereby hampering competition. Microsoft has repeatedly stated that it will continue to develop Activision games for other platforms, including PlayStation.
Two big questions are raised here. The first question is whether Sony targets specific games to prevent them from appearing on Game Pass or if “blocking rights” is just a provocative way to say “exclusive deal”. Both companies are likely to want games hosted on their platforms. This is understandable, given their efforts to increase customer loyalty.
Another question is whether these alleged blocking rights have knock-on effects on the PC. Microsoft and Sony are eager to have their games featured on the PC. All current Microsoft and its subsidiary’s games are available on PC Game Pass from the first day of launch. Sony, however, has been drip-feeding exclusive PS4 games onto PC and recently updated its website to outline its wider plans for putting PlayStation Games on PC. If Sony pays for Game Pass “blocking right”, will that affect only the Xbox portion of Game Pass or the entire Game Pass? Or does it completely stop those games from being launched anywhere else than PlayStation?
Whatever the implications of these exclusive deals around Game Pass, it is clear that Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard has heated the rivalry between the two companies. This contradicts Phil Spencer’s claim that he doesn’t spend much energy on console wars. These will not be the final shots between the companies. Brazil is also closely watching the Activision Blizzard deal. The acquisition is being scrutinized by the UK competition watchdog and the FTC. Let’s hope that ongoing titter-for-tat does not inadvertently hamper any chances of games coming out to PC.
