Analysis-Sony faces deep-pocketed rivals in war over future of gaming

FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: Men are dressed as soldiers to promote the video game "Call Of Duty Black Ops 3" at the Gamescom fair in Cologne, Germany August 5, 2015. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach/File Photo/File Photo

TOKYO (Reuters) - Sony Group, perched atop the gaming sector, is facing a fresh challenge from cash-rich rivals betting on a next-generation online video game boom as the Japanese conglomerate eyes expansion on multiple fronts, including electric cars.

Microsoft Corp, a laggard in the generational console battle with Sony, took a major step to position itself for the "metaverse" - a proposed immersive experience where people game, shop and socialise online - with a $69 billion deal for "Call of Duty" developer Activision Blizzard.