Microsoft CEO says exclusive Activision games make 'no strategic sense'

FILE PHOTO: Microsoft logo is seen on a smartphone placed on displayed Activision Blizzard's games characters in this illustration taken January 18, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

SAN FRANCISCO/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The leaders of Microsoft and Activision Blizzard on Wednesday sought to allay antitrust concerns that a proposed $69 billion merger of the two companies would unlawfully concentrate power, with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella saying that making Activision games exclusive would make "no strategic sense."

The Federal Trade Commission has asked a judge to stop the proposed acquisition because, it argues, it would give Microsoft, maker of the Xbox console, exclusive access to Activision games, which include the highly popular "Call of Duty." That would leave Nintendo and Sony Group out in the cold, the FTC has said.