Activision CEO Accuses Sony Of ‘Sabotage’ Amid Microsoft Deal
For many, the ongoing deal that sees Microsoft try to take control of Activision Blizzard is much more effort and strain than it's worth.
The jury's still out on if the deal itself will go through or not, but players are still arguing whether it'd be good for consumers, even as there are concerns that Microsoft could double back on their promises to bring Call of Duty to other consoles.
There have been many roadblocks that some have deemed pretty petty, including PlayStation boss Jim Ryan taking worldwide flights to speak to boards in order to slam the brakes on the deal.
And now, as it turns out, he may be saltier than previously expected.
Jim Ryan Has Supposedly Stopped Talking To Activision Blizzard's CEO
Click to enlargeSpeaking with the Financial Times, Activision Blizzard's CEO Bobby Kotick has claimed that PlayStation Chief Jim Ryan has stopped talking to him as the Xbox deal with the company has progressed.
“Suddenly, Sony’s entire leadership team stopped talking to anyone at Microsoft,” he says. “I think this is all Sony just trying to sabotage the transaction.”
This is a theory that many hold, given that Ryan has funnelled a lot of energy into complaining about the deal and personally trying to see to it that it doesn't see the light of day.
Even so, Kotick is a controversial figure, having seen over Activision Blizzard during the events brought to light by accusations of a "frat boy culture" of sexual harassment and bullying at the company, so it's up to you as to whether he's to be believed. But Sony has something to say.
PlayStation Suggests That Kotick Is Lying
In a response, it looks like Sony isn't caving to suggestions that they're being a little unprofessional.
Responding to a request to comment from Financial Times, a spokesperson for Sony say that “we are in contact with Microsoft and have no further comment regarding our private negotiations.” It's a pretty loaded statement, claiming that they're in talks with Xbox but not mentioning Activision Blizzard, but take from it what you will.
The deal between the two companies has created a wealth of dramas, and this is but a drop in the ocean at this point. Still, any drama is fun, right?
