Sony’s opposition to Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision-Blizzard has turned the tables, as the company was subpoenaed to reveal documents that prove it has been hindering the success of Xbox in Japan for years.
The Unearthed Documents
Sony has been exposed for signing deals that have prevented Japanese-only hits from being released on Microsoft’s Xbox, violating Japan’s antitrust laws. The company had to deliver official documents to the court for review, shedding light on its unjust practices in the gaming industry.
The documents reveal that Sony has been making exclusive deals with game developers, which give them incentives not to release their games on Xbox platforms, even if they are popular in Japan. The exclusivity of these deals has meant that Xbox gamers in Japan have missed out on popular games such as Persona and Yakuza.
Sony’s Response
Sony’s opposition to Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision-Blizzard was based on concerns about monopoly power in the gaming industry. However, Sony has not made any comment on the antitrust allegations against it, and the company may face consequences if it is found to have violated Japanese antitrust laws.
Impact on Xbox in Japan
Xbox has struggled to gain a foothold in Japan, where it has historically been dominated by PlayStation. The revelations about Sony’s unjust practices in the gaming industry may provide an explanation for Xbox’s lack of success in the Japanese market.
Microsoft has been making efforts to appeal to Japanese gamers by releasing games that are popular in Japan, such as the role-playing game, Blue Dragon. However, the company’s efforts have been hampered by Sony’s exclusive deals with game developers. The release of the unearthed documents may be the start of a more level playing field for Xbox in Japan.
Conclusion
Sony’s exclusive deals with game developers have been exposed as unjust, preventing Japanese-only hits from being released on Xbox platforms in Japan. This revelation may provide an explanation for Xbox’s lack of success in the Japanese market. The documents may be the start of a more level playing field for Xbox in Japan, providing the company with an opportunity to gain a foothold in a market that has historically been dominated by PlayStation.
1. Who is Enhance, the company credited with the development of the game “Humanity”?
2. What is the gameplay of “Humanity” and what platforms is it available on?
3. What is PlayStation Plus and what are its subscription tiers?
4. What is the controversy between Sony and Microsoft over deals signed in Japan, and how does it relate to antitrust laws?
5. What other successful PSVR games has Enhance developed in the past?
