Nintendo has Sony and Microsoft beat when it comes to exclusive properties. Mario, Super Mario, Pokemon, and Wii combine for nearly two billion copies sold throughout their lifetimes. We haven't done the math yet, but it's a substantial amount that can rival, if even exceed, the combined total of every other video game franchise that's sold at least 20 million units.
But, Sony can hang their hat that they're a not-so-close second. However, if Microsoft completes the Activision Blizzard acquisition, they'll have to settle for third place.
You could argue this is the reason why Sony is contesting Microsoft's pending purchase of one of the largest video game companies in the world.
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The ongoing CMA investigation for MS acquisition of AB, has indeed delayed any Showcase plans for Sony. Exclusive titles and first party I.P were ‘locked in’. Sony believe a showcase will add weight to MS arguments. Silent Hill & Kojima Who Am I reveal were part of show.
— Millie A (@millieamand) October 17, 2022
Having said that, a new report reaffirms just how much Sony doesn't want Microsoft to get its hands on Activision Blizzard, specifically, the Call of Duty franchise.
According to a trusted industry insider, the "ongoing CMA investigation for MS acquisition of AB, has indeed delayed any Showcase plans for Sony." Millie A added that Sony "locked in" several exclusive titles and first-party titles for a lineup that includes the unnamed Silent Hill game and Kojima's new game, featuring Elle Fanning.
TLDR; Sony knows that its argument against exclusivity is flimsy enough as it is.
Unfortunately, the Competition and Markets Authority still has several months to deliberate and come to a decision. If the report is true, Sony might not have a showcase planned for a few months. Perhaps this explains why Konami is holding its own showcase instead. Kojima Productions could do the same to do the same, although we'll most likely hear more from it at The Game Awards in December.
If it's any consolation, Sony will probably have a smaller event planned soon now that the highly anticipated GOTY contender, God of War: Ragnarok, has gone gold. The sequel is all but certain to launch on November 9. Most likely, the next State of Play will revolve around the God of War: Ragnarok PS5 bundle.
