Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the parent company of some of the world’s most popular gaming titles, including Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Overwatch, signales a new era of gaming partnerships and collaborations between the tech giant and the industry leader in gaming and entertainment.
The multi-billion dollar deal has been touted as a groundbreaking moment for the gaming world, as it gives Microsoft access to dozens of popular titles and sets the stage for more iteration and collaboration.
However, according to a recently released interview with Sony Interactive Entertainment president and CEO Jim Ryan, the Microsoft-Activision deal could come at a price namely, the potential to “damage” Sony’s competitive advantage in the gaming industry.
In the interview, Ryan stated that while he thought the deal was an interesting move by both companies, he also raised questions about its effects on Sony, a company that has been an industry leader in the gaming world for many years.
Ryan went on to cite issues such as the potential for a decrease in Sony’s power in the industry, the possibility of lopsided competition between Sony and Microsoft, and the possibility of gaming becoming less diverse as a result.
The Sony executive also noted that any potential damage to Sony would “absolutely” be a cause for concern, and that the company would be paying close attention to the outcome of the deal.
The effects of the Microsoft-Activision deal remain to be seen, as the two parties are only just beginning to collaborate on projects. However, Ryan’s statements suggest that Sony is keeping a close eye on the partnership and preparing for potential pitfalls as the gaming landscape continues to evolve.