The latest chapter in the never-ending Microsoft and Activision Blizzard saga arrives in the form of comments from Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick, who hasn't held back with his thoughts on Sony's role in the process.
Speaking to the Financial Times this week, Kotick accused Sony's leadership team of "suddenly" failing to communicate with Microsoft, suggesting the company could be "trying to sabotage the transaction". He reportedly told the outlet that his own calls to Sony's executives hadn't been returned either.
"Suddenly, Sony's entire leadership team stopped talking to anyone at Microsoft..."
"I think this is all Sony just trying to sabotage the transaction."
"The whole idea that we are not going to support a PlayStation or that Microsoft would not support the PlayStation, it is absurd."
In response, Sony told the outlet that the company is in contact with Microsoft, but has "no further comment regarding our private negotiations."
Kotick also mentioned during the discussion that he believes the UK CMA has been "co-opted by the FTC ideology" while failing to think about "how this transaction would positively impact the UK". This was followed by a provisional verdict from the UK authority on Wednesday afternoon which suggested the acquisition could prove harmful to the industry.
However, Kotick remained optimistic (at least at the time of the article) that the Microsoft deal would close by July of 2023.