While Microsoft continues to face tough legal challenges to its plan to acquire Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson has said that the company is largely “indifferent” to whether or not the deal goes through.
“We think we have the scale–again, back to our network, our IP, and our talent–to continue to navigate the future and lead the future of entertainment, and compete in the marketplace regardless of whether that deal goes through or not,” Wilson said in EA’s latest earnings call (via GamesRadar). “I think that we have tremendous assets with respect to the future of entertainment. But as it stands today, I think we’re indifferent as to whether [the Microsoft Activision sale] goes through or not. We feel like we have an incredible strategy. We feel like we have an incredible opportunity, and whether it goes through a not, we’ll continue to be the number one publisher on the Microsoft platform.”
Wilson also added that more industry consolidation will play a key role in the future of video games, and he hopes that EA “will have the scale to be a meaningful consolidator” in this space. Additionally, the CEO spoke about the rise of artificial intelligence and said that gaming will be “one of the greatest beneficiaries” of this technology.
As for Wilson’s claim about EA being the biggest publisher on Microsoft’s platforms, recent data from Ampere Analysis (via GamesIndustry.biz) backs up those remarks. EA has a rich catalog of games, especially when it comes to sports simulators, and this collection of IPs has resulted in high sales and customer engagement on PC and Xbox.
Microsoft is currently facing some stiff opposition to its Activision Blizzard acquisition plans, as a few weeks ago, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) blocked the merger. Microsoft is preparing to appeal the judgment, as following the CMA’s decision, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer informed staff the company will press ahead even if the deal does not go through.
Activision Blizzard and Microsoft have recruited some high-level legal power to help their case, including Lord David Pannick KC, the lawyer who has previously represented Queen Elizabeth II, Boris Johnson, and Princess Diana.
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