Sony has spent a lot of time and resources fighting Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard. But as they’ve protested and claimed it harms competition, their own methods have come into question more and more with their many third-party deals where they use their weight and money to keep titles away from competitors (such as Deathloop, Forspoken and Final Fantasy XVI).
A US senator, Kevin Cramer (representing North Dakota), has in one open letter now criticized Sony for using strategies that exclude competition rather than promoting it in a way that is good for consumers:
“I’m writing to express concern about Sony’s efforts to protect its gaming console business from competition. I am concerned Sony’s dominance of that market, and its efforts to perpetuate its current position imperils an important economic development opportunity for North Dakota. Given the growing significance of the gaming industry to North Dakota. I am troubled by reports Sony appears to leverage its cominance to exclude competition rather than enabling choice for players and developers. Increasingly, it appears Sony’s dominance is attributable to exclusionary practices, including paying game publishers not to distribute thieir games on rival platforms.”
Sony’s accusations against Microsoft now seem to lead to their own actions being scrutinized. It was only a few weeks ago that another group from the US Congress made a similar statement. Now Cramer wants Sony to hand over all exclusivity agreements so they can be reviewed.
