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Another day, and another surprise related to the deal between Microsoft and Activision. This time around, it’s the Xbox maker’s claim that Activision Blizzard isn’t even close to being the largest third-party supplier to the PlayStation. On the contrary, the company takes only 5th place.
Microsoft claims EA is the largest third-party developer of console games, followed by Ubisoft and Take-Two Interactive, according to figures cited in a response from the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). And while Microsoft has stressed that this applies to the PlayStation, the data shows that the same is happening with the Xbox.
But things change when it comes to Sony Interactive Entertainment as a publisher. By all accounts, Sony is the fourth largest game publisher ahead of Activision Blizzard, which is in fifth place. “Sony has 286 games that are exclusive to the PlayStation,” Microsoft said, adding that Sony keeps its own games “mostly exclusive to the PlayStation.” The company concluded by mentioning God of War, Spider-Man, and The Last of Us.
Speaking of The Last of Us, Microsoft and Activision obviously want regulators to take notice of the HBO TV show. Not only did an Activision executive previously say The Last of Us’ success was a good reason to continue with the merger, Microsoft went even further to point to the series’ success at the CMA.
