Microsoft Might Miss The Game Awards Amid Activision Blizzard Debacle

Microsoft, the multibillion-dollar company responsible for one of the largest console platforms in the world, might not attend The Game Awards due to the ongoing Activision Blizzard acquisition debacle. Initially caught via Reddit, information from The Xbox Two Podcast, featuring reporter and managing editor at Windows Central, Jez Corden, heard that there'd been "mixed things" and rumors about Microsoft not showing up at the awarding event on 9th December 2022.

Jez Corden allegedly heard "vague rumors" about Microsoft not appearing at The Game Awards, primarily due to ongoing issues concerning its acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Accordingly, Microsoft might want to hold back for "regulatory reasons." Corden also said they heard rumors that "Sony Interactive Entertainment canceled its own showcase because they didn't want to confuse their messaging to regulators."

Over the past few months, the world has seen the ongoing acquisition unfold. However, the deal recently took a turn after reports of an antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) surfaced. This report follows ongoing investigations concerning speculation that Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard could have "anticompetitive effects" against other companies like Sony. 

• Suggested: Microsoft's $69 Billion Activision Acquisition Deal Might Not Happen.

It was only last 23rd November 2022 that Activision Blizzard's executive vice president for corporate affairs and CCO, Lulu Cheng Meservey, stated on Twitter that the company "won't hesitate to fight to defend the transaction if that's needed."  It seems the acquisition is causing a lot of trouble for Microsoft. In addition, the company recently told the Competition and Markets Authority that Sony had better games than Xbox and admitted PlayStation's exclusives were "better quality" than its competitors.

Mobile users: The related segment begins around the 23:40 timestamp.

In this regard, it seems like Microsoft not attending The Game Awards would be a good idea. Well, that's to say Microsoft wants to keep up its appearances and not show off new titles because it affects "regulatory reasons."

If Microsoft chooses not to attend The Game Awards, it likely means there won't be a showcase of any new upcoming games for a while. That said, Corden also noted that these were only "vague rumors" and the entire thing was a "big question mark and a big wait and see." You can watch The Xbox Two Podcast in the embedded video above.

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Featured image courtesy of Microsoft & The Game Awards.