Microsoft: Sony pays developers not to put games on Game Pass

Microsoft claims Sony is paying developers for ‘blocking rights’ that prevent games from coming to Xbox Game Pass. Microsoft made the claim in a document it filed with the Brazilian government.

Microsoft claims in the document, a response to Sony’s objections to Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, at point 60 that Sony pays developers not to put games on Game Pass. “Microsoft’s ability to further expand Game Pass has been hampered by Sony’s desire to curb that growth. Sony pays for blocking rights to prevent developers from adding content to Game Pass and other competing subscription services.”

Sony has not yet responded to the claim. It is unknown what exactly Microsoft means. Presumably this is a clause in contracts that stipulates that developers games released on Sony’s own PlayStation Plus will not also appear on Game Pass, gambles The Verge.

The argument is part of Microsoft’s defense. Sony objects to the acquisition, arguing that, among other things, saying that the Call of Duty franchise is “a genre unto itself.” According to Microsoft, that is nonsense and there are many games like CoD. In addition, Microsoft has previously said it wants to continue to release CoD games on the PlayStation. According to the company, this generates more revenue than releasing Call of Duty exclusively on Game Pass.

Microsoft defends itself against Sony’s arguments to get the acquisition through. All kinds of government agencies still have to approve the takeover, including that in Brazil. Microsoft announced in January that it plans to acquire Activision Blizzard. Microsoft wants to pay $68.7 billion for the game publisher.