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Microsoft says splitting Activision and selling Call of Duty isn't realistic

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Things are still very tense between the conflicting parties over the Activision deal due to the issue of its acquisition by Microsoft. Sony's role in blocking this deal has recently become very clear, and after two deals were made yesterday with Nintendo and Nvidia, Activision has something to say.

Activision has accused Sony of trying to “protect its two-decade dominance in video games,” the latest argument in Microsoft’s attempts to get regulators to approve its $1.4 billion acquisition of Activision. It is the most expensive upcoming deal in video games.

The companies held a press conference in Brussels today following a closed hearing with the European Commission. Microsoft Vice Chairman and President Brad Smith addressed the media, discussed the Call of Duty deal and said that selling off parts of Activision to help drive the merger didn't seem likely or realistic.

In his press conference summary, Smith said that “the future is cross-platform” and that this deal means Call of Duty needs to run well on all consoles, including the Nintendo Switch.

Microsoft has also signed a deal with Nvidia to bring Call of Duty to GeForce Now, but Smith said Sony continues to oppose the deal. He continued in response to Sony's opposition with the following:

“Do we want to close the deal and strengthen Sony’s position? Or do we want to open up Call of Duty to up to 150 million more people?”

That 150 million number likely comes from the current Nintendo Switch fanbase (which stands at 122.55 million) and the number of GeForce Now members, which a Microsoft press release says is over 25 million.

How long will these intense discussions continue and will the deal succeed or end in obstacles?

Smith also responded to a question about selling the Call of Duty brand to end the deal with Activision Blizzard, saying, “We don’t think it’s realistic to carve out one part of this company from the rest.”