Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson has revealed that the company is “indifferent” to whether or not Microsoft’s planned acquisition of Activision Blizzard goes ahead. Wilson made his comments during EA’s recent earnings call, where he also mentioned that he believes industry consolidation will play a key role in the future of the video game industry. Wilson hopes that EA will have the scale to be a “meaningful consolidator” in the space.
EA’s Confidence in Its Assets
Wilson stated that EA is confident in its ability to navigate the future and compete in the marketplace, regardless of the Microsoft Activision sale. He explained that the company has “scale,” a network, IP, and talent. He said that more industry consolidation will take place in the future, and he hopes that his company can be a “meaningful consolidator” in the video game space. He also mentioned that the rise of artificial intelligence will make gaming one of the “greatest beneficiaries” of this technology.
EA as the Biggest Publisher on Microsoft’s Platforms
Wilson’s claim that EA is the biggest publisher on Microsoft’s platforms has been backed up by recent data from Ampere Analysis. The company has a robust catalog of games, particularly in the sports simulator space, which has resulted in high sales and customer engagement on both PC and Xbox platforms.
Microsoft Faces Opposition to Its Activision Blizzard Acquisition Plans
Microsoft is encountering some stiff opposition to its acquisition of Activision Blizzard as the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) blocked the merger a few weeks ago. Despite the decision, Microsoft is preparing to appeal the judgment, with CEO Phil Spencer informing staff that the company will push forward with the acquisition regardless of the legal challenges.
Lawyers Hired to Help with the Case
Activision Blizzard and Microsoft have hired high-level legal power to help their case. Lord David Pannick KC, a lawyer who has previously represented Queen Elizabeth II, Boris Johnson, and Princess Diana, has been recruited to support the efforts in appeals court.
Conclusion
While Microsoft continues to face legal challenges in its efforts to acquire Activision Blizzard, it appears that its competitors are not overly concerned about the possible merger. Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson has said that his company has the scale, IP, and talent to continue to navigate the future and compete in the marketplace regardless of whether the deal goes through or not. Whether or not it does, the company appears confident in its assets and looks to be a significant player in the industry’s future.
