Microsoft defends $69bn Activision deal

Microsoft has defended its offer to buy Activision Blizzard the maker of Call of Duty and Candy Crush- at the EU competition hearing.

Microsoft says it believes the $68.7 bn (£56.8 bn) deal will bring further choice to more gamers.

But rival Sony, which also attended the hail, says the merger would give Microsoft too important control over some of the world's most popular games.

Sony owns PlayStation- a major rival to Microsoft's Xbox console.

Microsoft chairman Brad Smith described the EU hail on Tuesday as" an important day".

He also rejected concerns raised by Sony that Activision Blizzard games- specifically Call of Duty- might come defined to Xbox users if the merger goes ahead.

" This has no way been about spending$ 69bn so we could acquire titles like Call of Duty and make them less available," he said after the hail.

" That is not a great way to turn a$ 69bn asset into a commodity that will become more precious over time."

In a statement, Activision Blizzard said" We're confident controllers will find that our proposed junction will enhance competition and produce lesser openings for workers and better games for our players."

Chip developers Nvidia and Google were also understood to be present, although the hail wasn't open to the press or public.

Nvidia and Microsoft have announced cooperation which would enable both Xbox PC games and Activision Blizzard titles to become available via Nvidia's cloud-streaming platform GeForce Now.

The tech firm has to convince controllers around the world that the deal- the largest in gaming history- would not harm its challengers. Today was Microsoft's final chance to put forward its case in Europe before the commission makes its decision.

Sony rejects concession

Some countries including Chile, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia- have formally approved it.

The UK's competition watchdog lately said it was opposed to the deal, although it has yet to advertise its final ruling, and the European Commission ordered a disquisition.

One suggestion made by the UK Competition and Markets Authority was that Call of Duty could be sold off independently.

Microsoft has pledged to make all current Activision Blizzard games available on Nintendo, Sony, and Steam platforms for at least the coming 10 Years, but Sony has so far rejected this deal.

Games companies preliminarily acquired by the firm include Minecraft maker Mojang and Fallout creator Bethesda. It has formerly announced that Bethesda's new game Starfield will start off as an Xbox exclusive when it launches.