Sony has explicitly stated its position regarding Microsoft’s potential acquisition of Activision. They have made it clear that if the acquisition, which is seeing some tough times, goes through, they will not disclose any information related to the PlayStation 6 console to Activision. These remarks were shared by Jim Ryan, the head of PlayStation, during a deposition in the ongoing case between Microsoft, Activision, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Ryan expressed his concerns via a Twitter post from Stephentotilo, explaining that the risk of a direct competitor gaining access to vital PlayStation 6 information is too great. According to Ryan, if Microsoft were to acquire Activision, the focus of the latter would likely shift towards maximizing its Xbox business, rather than prioritizing Activision’s interests. Ryan’s statement essentially suggests that under Microsoft’s ownership, Activision may not fully harness the capabilities and features of the PlayStation 6. Sony, considering the console’s sensitive nature, would refrain from sharing specific details and development kits with Activision. This is now another factor blocking the deal from going forward.
Sony Withholding PlayStation 6 Information From Activision
The main reason for this move by Sony is that sharing PlayStation 6 specs could relay that same information to Microsoft, giving them an unfair competitive advantage. This development is an endorsement of the FTC’s recommendation to block Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision. This recommendation is based on the fact that if Microsoft were to acquire Activision, it would be quite detrimental to the entire industry in terms of competition. And considering how Microsoft has treated its previous acquisitions like Bethesda, the FTC believes that the same will happen with Activision.
If the PlayStation 6 comes out, it won’t be any time before 2028. And considering how this generation has barely moved past the last one after 2 years, 2028 might be an optimistic estimate. While there have been rumors regarding a PlayStation 5 Pro, the likelihood of that happening, considering the state of the industry, isn’t very high – at least not before late 2024.