Gamers Would Revolt If ‘Call of Duty’ Was Exclusive Activision CEO Says At Trail

Bobby Kotick, the chief executive of Activision Blizzard, appeared before a federal judge on Wednesday to request approval for Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of his company for $69 billion.

Kotick stated that any attempt to make “Call of Duty” exclusive to one platform, as Microsoft critics have suggested, would potentially alienate around 100 million monthly players of the video-game, according to Reuters.

“You would have a revolt if you were to remove the game from one platform,” said Kotick.

He stated that removing “Call of Duty” from PlayStation, a Sony product, would have a significant negative impact on Activision’s business.

Read more: Microsoft Lodges Appeal Against UK Block Of $75B Call Of Duty Deal

The Federal Trade Commission is seeking to temporarily halt the Microsoft acquisition, requesting that the agency’s in-house judge make the final decision. Historically, the losing party in federal court often conceded, resulting in the abandonment of the in-house process.

The trial has primarily concentrated on Activision’s “Call of Duty,” a highly popular video game that is accessible on various platforms, including smartphones, multiple consoles, and desktop computers.

Kotick stated that he had considered releasing “Call of Duty” on Nintendo’s Switch but ultimately decided against it due to concerns about the console’s potential sales. He acknowledged that this decision was a mistake.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is expected to give testimony on Wednesday afternoon before Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley in federal court.