\n

Microsoft has claimed that it\u2019s easier for Sony to secure PS5 and PS4 exclusives<\/strong> because PlayStation has a significantly larger user base than Xbox consoles. Microsoft made this argument in yet another filing ahead of the legal showdown against FTC that\u2019s set to begin today. The FTC is seeking a preliminary injunction to prevent Microsoft from acquiring Activision Blizzard until its investigation into the merger is complete.<\/p>\n

Xbox exclusives \u201cconsiderably more costly\u201d than PS5 exclusives, according to Microsoft<\/h2>\n

Microsoft says<\/a> that the larger a console\u2019s user base, the easier it is for its manufacturer to secure third-party exclusives. The company\u2019s statement further suggests that even first-party exclusives don\u2019t cost Sony as much as they cost Microsoft.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe larger the platform\u2019s user base of potential purchasers relative to rivals, the smaller the portion of the market that must be \u2018bought out\u2019 (internally or externally) to take a game exclusive,\u201d Microsoft claims. \u201cExclusivity is considerably more costly for Xbox than it is for Sony.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

“the larger the platform\u2019s user base of potential purchasers relative to rivals, the smaller the portion of the market that must be ‘bought out’ (internally or externally) to take a game exclusive. \u2026 exclusivity considerably more costly for Xbox than it is for Sony”
?11\/X<\/p>\n

\u2014 Florian Mueller (@FOSSpatents) June 22, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Microsoft has also proposed several ways for Sony to compete should its acquisition of Activision Blizzard go ahead. One of the ways Microsoft suggests Sony can compete is by acquiring another publisher like it acquired Bungie. The company suggests that it wouldn\u2019t be opposed to consolidation wars.<\/p>\n

The back-and-forth between Microsoft, Activision, FTC, and Sony is expected to last a few more weeks.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n