Take-Two CEO says Microsoft acquiring Activision would be ‘a good thing for the industry’

Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick says he’s in favour of Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard, because it would benefit the industry.

In a ‘Spotlight Conversation’ recorded by TheWrap, Zelnick was asked what he thought of the proposed deal.

“We’re certainly of the belief that it’s a good thing for Microsoft and the industry,” Zelnick replied.

“It’s a highly fragmented business and there’s plenty of room for creativity to go around, and Microsoft is an ally of ours, and if this makes their business more powerful we think that’s good for us.”

Zelnick was then asked if he was concerned that Activision Blizzard games would become Microsoft’s core focus should it acquire the publisher.

“Ultimately the consumer votes,” Zelnick replied, “and if we create great hits, which is our business, the consumers will show up, and no-one can take that away from us, no-one can replicate that.

“At the end of the day if [Microsoft is] focused on the power and strength of their own business they’re going to want to be pushing the most successful properties, and if consumers are showing up for our properties and Microsoft isn’t engaged, isn’t involved, isn’t a partner, than that would be a bad thing for Microsoft.

“So I think we’re all essentially pulling in the same direction. The entertainment business is the antithesis of a fungible commoditised business – every title stands alone, so it sort of doesn’t compete with anything else, and yet it’s highly competitive in a way.

“In other words, we compete with everything, in a way, we compete with nothing. You can’t replace one of our titles with another title.”

Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard is currently being scrutinised by regulators around the world amid antitrust concerns during a time of increasing consolidation in the gaming industry.

Ealier this month, Brazil’s regulatory body approved the acquisition with no restrictions. The decision followed that of Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Competition, which declared in August that it had “no objection” to the proposed games industry buyout.

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Brazilian regulator says Sony could compete without Call of Duty, like Nintendo does

Brazil's CADE has approved Microsoft's proposed Activision Blizzard acquistion

Last month the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said its inquiry into the merger had officially been expanded to a second phase due to a number of concerns.

Notably the CMA is worried about the impact the deal could have on PlayStation’s ability to compete, given that it would see Microsoft gain ownership of the Call of Duty series.

Xbox boss Phil Spencer has said Microsoft has committed to making Call of Duty available on PlayStation for “several more years” after Sony’s current marketing deal with Activision expires.