Microsoft has been having a hard time convincing anti-trust regulators that the deal with Activision Blizzard benefits video game players. Recently, the tech giant made a play to bring Call of Duty to the Nintendo Switch, to show regulators that it does not intend to make the title exclusive to its own platform. However, the CMA doubts that the Switch is even capable of running the game.
UK's Consumer Market Authority, the country's anti-trust regulatory body, says that the handheld console is not capable of running a current generation Call of Duty game. This is another potential stumbling block for Microsoft's bid to have its landmark acquisition of Activision Blizzard approved.
Call of Duty has been central to the regulator's opposition to the merger. The CMA argues that Microsoft will gain an unfair advantage should it take control of Activision and its popular first-person shooter franchise.
Sony, the most vocal opposition to the deal, voiced its concern that Microsoft plans to make Call of Duty exclusive to PC and Xbox once Activision's current obligations to the PlayStation maker expire. The current deal between Sony and Activision is only until the end of 2024.
