European Commission responds to backlash from Microsoft Activision staff comments

European Commission responds to backlash from Microsoft Activision staffer comments.

Following comments made on social media by a senior staff member, the European Commission has clarified claims of perceived bias in the investigation into Microsoft's Activision Blizzard deal.

Earlier this week, Ricardo Cardoso, the governing body's Deputy Head of Unit Interinstitutional & Outreach, tweeted that the "Commission is working to ensure that you will still be able to play Call of Duty on other consoles (including my Playstation)".

While the statement was factually correct, it was met with criticism from some players due to perceived Sony bias, especially after Xbox repeatedly stated that Call of Duty would remain on PlayStation for the foreseeable future.

In a statement to Tweaktown, the European Commission clarified that Cardoso is not involved in the process in any way.

"Mr Cardoso works in the Directorate General for the Internal Market, not the Directorate General for Competition," according to the statement. "Mr Cardoso is not involved in this transaction's evaluation." Furthermore, as his Twitter profile clearly states, he tweets in a personal capacity."

Cardoso tweeted on Saturday, "To clarify, I am not involved in the merger assessment and do not even work in the department dealing with mergers." As stated in my profile, my comments are personal and do not represent the position of the Commission, whose decision will be based on the facts and the law."

The Commission is working to ensure that you will still be able to play Call of Duty on other consoles (including my Playstation). Also on our to do list: update stock pictures. These gamers have wired controllers whereas Xbox and Playstation have wireless ones since about 2006! https://t.co/Gfvsi3rKXD

— Ricardo Cardoso (@RCardosoEU) November 8, 2022

The use of the word "my" when referring to PlayStation appears to have irritated fans the most in the replies to the original tweet; however, Cardoso was referring to the console he owns, rather than an allegiance to a platform. The European Commission has launched an official investigation into Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Following its initial inquiries into the $68.7 billion transaction, the European Commission announced on Tuesday that it had launched a 'phase II' investigation due to competition concerns.

"The Commission is concerned that the proposed acquisition may reduce competition in the markets for the distribution of video games for consoles and personal computers ('PCs') and PC operating systems," it said.

While regulators in Saudi Arabia and Brazil have approved the transaction, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority recently expanded its investigation into a second phase. It is currently inviting members of the public to provide feedback on the acquisition before making a final decision by March 1.

The US Federal Trade Commission is expected to rule on the deal this month. Microsoft's head of gaming, Phil Spencer, recently stated that he believes the deal will be approved despite the intense scrutiny from regulators.

Source: VGC