FTC v. Microsoft: all the news from the big Xbox courtroom battle
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We’re on a 15-minute break so it’s time to recap what we’ve heard so far. The FTC’s opening statements largely focused on the main pillars of its case against Microsoft: Xbox exclusives, the Switch is a separate console, and cloud competition concerns.
Microsoft’s opening statements included a bombshell email from PlayStation chief Jim Ryan and an argument that Sony is the main opponent to this deal and wants to protect its console leadership position and revenues. Microsoft also claims its deal is about mobile.
The FTC then called Xbox Game Studios chief Matt Booty to the stand. He explained how Call of Duty could run on a Nintendo Switch, with the FTC arguing it would be a separate game because the hardware is very different to Xbox or PlayStation. A 2019 email from Booty was also discussed where he said “no effing way” to Nvidia putting Microsoft’s games on its GeForce Now service without permission. Microsoft has signed a deal with Nvidia recently to bring its Xbox PC games to GeForce Now and try and appease regulators like the FTC.
