Microsoft and Activision have abruptly asked regulators for access to PlayStation leadership personnel files and performance analytics in conjunction with a lawsuit filed by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC). to prevent the acquisition. Microsoft requested that Sony, along with several other companies, be summoned to argue the case before the Commission.

Sony, when made aware of Microsoft's claims, said the claims amounted to "unjustified harassment" and beyond simply helping its case against the FTC, both companies requested confidential information related to the performance of PlayStation employees and access to their personnel files.

Axios monitored Sony’s response to Microsoft’s requests, asking the court to quash or restrict the subpoena. The revised response can be found on the committee’s website, which reveals that Microsoft and its requests are more likely to be recognized PlayStation business.

Sony accused Microsoft of “obvious harassment,” arguing that the personnel files were unrelated to the case. It also emerged that Sony’s response was to cancel the subpoena, arguing that Microsoft wanted files related to seven executives at its PlayStation subsidiary.

Microsoft has also requested information about the company's CEO Jim Ryan, PlayStation Studios head Hermen Hulst, as well as global marketing director Eric Limpel, as Microsoft reportedly wants to see files related to former PlayStation executives and wants to conduct a security search on Sony's in-house counsel.

This case began to take an even bigger turn, Microsoft also demanded access to information related to Sony's business and its gaming branch, which is more than a decade old.

Do you think Microsoft has started to feel the threat of canceling the deal, what do you think of these developments?

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