Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick appeared in court on Wednesday to defend Microsoft's intended $69 billion takeover of his video game company against a federal regulator's attempt to halt the deal.

Kotick told a federal judge in San Francisco on Wednesday that there is no basis for Microsoft to deprive Sony of the acclaimed Activision game Call of Duty. Kotick stated that making the game exclusive to Microsoft's Xbox console or offering poor versions on other systems, such as Sony's Playstation, is not in his company's best interests.

<h2>If we remove Call of Duty from Playstation, it would cause serious reputational damage to company:&nbsp;Kotick&nbsp;</h2>

He added that making a subpar version for PlayStation would cause “vitriol from gamers” and is not something Activision developers would do.

Kotick's comments were intended to undermine a key allegation made by antitrust enforcers at the United States Federal Trade Commission, who contend that the acquisition will hurt competition in the video game industry.

On the fourth day of a court hearing in San Francisco, Kotick testified before U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley. The hearings are expected to make or break what would be the most expensive technological acquisition in history. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella was also set to testify on Wednesday.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/eu-greenlights-microsoft-takeover-of-activision-blizzard-592727">EU greenlights Microsoft takeover of Activision Blizzard</a>

<h2>98%&nbsp;of Activision Blizzard shareholders voted for deal</h2>

The hearing is a crucial test of the FTC's increased scrutiny of Big Tech under Chairperson Lina Khan, who has been open about her conviction that US regulators were overly permissive in previous accords that enabled giants like Amazon, Google, and Facebook to&nbsp;gain their dominance. Six months ago, the FTC brought Facebook owner Meta Platforms to court in Silicon Valley to try to prohibit a buyout of a virtual reality fitness startup, only to be turned down by the judge.

Watch |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/microsoft-activision-69bn-deal-temporarily-blocked-in-us-604191">&nbsp;Microsoft-Activision: $69bn deal temporarily blocked in US</a>

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Microsoft has praised the agreement with Activision Blizzard for making popular Activision games&nbsp;like Call of Duty more broadly available. The US Federal Trade Commission is attempting to persuade Corley to issue an order halting the takeover before a more detailed administrative trial begins on August 2 in Washington. Microsoft is battling to conclude the transaction by the July 18 deadline, which could compel it to pay a $3 billion breakup fee to Activision.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

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Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick appeared in court on Wednesday to defend Microsoft's intended $69 billion takeover of his video game company against a federal regulator's attempt to halt the deal.

Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick appeared in court on Wednesday to defend Microsoft's intended $69 billion takeover of his video game company against a federal regulator's attempt to halt the deal. Kotick told a federal judge in San Francisco on Wednesday that there is no basis for Microsoft to deprive Sony of the acclaimed Activision game Call of Duty. Kotick stated that making the game exclusive to Microsoft's Xbox console or offering poor versions on other systems, such as Sony's Playstation, is not in his company's best interests. If we remove Call of Duty from Playstation, it would cause serious reputational damage to company: Kotick He added that making a subpar version for PlayStation would cause “vitriol from gamers” and is not something Activision developers would do. Kotick's comments were intended to undermine a key allegation made by antitrust enforcers at the United States Federal Trade Commission, who contend that the acquisition will hurt competition in the video game industry. On the fourth day of a court hearing in San Francisco, Kotick testified before U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley. The hearings are expected to make or break what would be the most expensive technological acquisition in history. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella was also set to testify on Wednesday. Also read | EU greenlights Microsoft takeover of Activision Blizzard 98% of Activision Blizzard shareholders voted for deal The hearing is a crucial test of the FTC's increased scrutiny of Big Tech under Chairperson Lina Khan, who has been open about her conviction that US regulators were overly permissive in previous accords that enabled giants like Amazon, Google, and Facebook to gain their dominance. Six months ago, the FTC brought Facebook owner Meta Platforms to court in Silicon Valley to try to prohibit a buyout of a virtual reality fitness startup, only to be turned down by the judge. Watch | Microsoft-Activision: $69bn deal temporarily blocked in US × Microsoft has praised the agreement with Activision Blizzard for making popular Activision games like Call of Duty more broadly available. The US Federal Trade Commission is attempting to persuade Corley to issue an order halting the takeover before a more detailed administrative trial begins on August 2 in Washington. Microsoft is battling to conclude the transaction by the July 18 deadline, which could compel it to pay a $3 billion breakup fee to Activision. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick defends firm’s proposed acquisition by Microsoft in court

The US plans to impose fresh sanctions on Russia and China over alleged human rights abuses by the two countries. The impending move also intends to target the alleged use of Iranian drones by Russia in Ukraine as well as illegal fishery activities by Beijing across the Pacific. Anti-competition watchdog&nbsp;Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the US filed a complaint on December 8 that was aimed at blocking Microsoft's USD 69 billion bid to buy 'Call of Duty' maker gaming giant Activision.&nbsp;The Taliban regime in Afghanistan, meanwhile,&nbsp;backed the use&nbsp;of the India-built Chabahar port in Iran and said that it is ready to provide all the necessary "facilities".

Click on the headlines to read more:&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-plans-fresh-sanctions-on-russia-china-over-iranian-drones-rights-abuses-in-tibet-541443">US plans fresh sanctions on Russia, China over Iranian drones, rights abuses in Tibet</a>

<img src="http://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/12/09/316848-untitled-design-13.jpg" />

The United States is set to impose fresh sanctions against Russia and China on Friday, citing Russia's alleged deployment of Iranian drones in Ukraine and human-rights abuse by both Moscow and Beijing. The sanctions on China will also cite Beijing's support for illegal fishing in the entire Pacific region as well as the harassment of the followers of exiled Tibetan spiritual leader&nbsp;Dalai Lama, Wall Street Journal reported while quoting officials familiar with the matter.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/us-competition-watchdog-seeks-to-stop-microsoft-activision-gaming-deal-541422">US competition watchdog seeks to stop Microsoft-Activision mega gaming deal</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/10/13/303315-microsoftreutersnew1.jpeg?imwidth=1920" />

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the US filed a complaint on Thursday (December 8) that was aimed at blocking Microsoft's USD 69 billion bid to buy 'Call of Duty' maker gaming giant Activision. This is the biggest ever deal in the gaming industy. The FTC has filed the complaint over concerns that the deal would thwart competition.

<a href="http://13.235.153.162/south-asia/taliban-back-usage-of-india-built-chabahar-port-say-ready-to-provide-facilities-541441">Taliban back usage of India-built Chabahar port, say 'ready to provide facilities'</a>

<img src="http://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/12/09/316846-chabahar.jpg" />

The Taliban regime in Afghanistan have backed the use&nbsp;of the India-built Chabahar port in Iran and said that it is ready to provide all the necessary "facilities".

A statement issued by the Taliban's foreign ministry "welcomed" the proposal to include&nbsp;Chabahar port in the North-South International Transport Corridor that connects Mumbai to Moscow and passes via Iran and Azerbaijan. The statement highlighted that the regime stands "ready to provide all necessary protection and facilities in this regard."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/merit-over-birthplace-us-congress-to-debate-removing-per-country-cap-for-green-cards-541434">Merit over birthplace: US Congress to debate removing per country cap for Green Cards</a>

<img src="http://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/12/09/316844-untitled-design-12.jpg" />

The White House on Thursday supported US Congress to pass a law that seeks to eliminate the per-country quota on green cards to allow US-based employers to focus on hiring people based on merit and not birthplace.&nbsp;

The House of Representatives, this week, is scheduled to vote on the Equal Access to Green Cards for Legal Employment (EAGLE) Act of 2022. The bill was cleared by the US House Judiciary Committee in April 2022 and will face the test of Congress this week.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/foxconn-founder-pushed-china-to-loosen-covid-19-restrictions-says-report-541431">Foxconn founder pushed China to loosen COVID-19 restrictions, says report</a>

&nbsp;

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/12/09/316843-untitled-design-2022-12-09t080928925.png?imwidth=1920" />

It was Foxconn founder Terry Gou who pushed China to move away from its zero-Covid policy and loosen restrictions. Gou apparently warned Beijing that the strict stance of COVID-19 threatens its position as the world's second-largest economy in the global supply chain.&nbsp;

The US plans to impose fresh sanctions on Russia and China over alleged human rights abuses by the two countries. The impending move also intends to target the alleged use of Iranian drones by Russia in Ukraine as well as illegal fishery activities by Beijing across the Pacific.

The US plans to impose fresh sanctions on Russia and China over alleged human rights abuses by the two countries. The impending move also intends to target the alleged use of Iranian drones by Russia in Ukraine as well as illegal fishery activities by Beijing across the Pacific. Anti-competition watchdog Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the US filed a complaint on December 8 that was aimed at blocking Microsoft's USD 69 billion bid to buy 'Call of Duty' maker gaming giant Activision. The Taliban regime in Afghanistan, meanwhile, backed the use of the India-built Chabahar port in Iran and said that it is ready to provide all the necessary "facilities". Click on the headlines to read more: US plans fresh sanctions on Russia, China over Iranian drones, rights abuses in Tibet The United States is set to impose fresh sanctions against Russia and China on Friday, citing Russia's alleged deployment of Iranian drones in Ukraine and human-rights abuse by both Moscow and Beijing. The sanctions on China will also cite Beijing's support for illegal fishing in the entire Pacific region as well as the harassment of the followers of exiled Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama, Wall Street Journal reported while quoting officials familiar with the matter. US competition watchdog seeks to stop Microsoft-Activision mega gaming deal Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the US filed a complaint on Thursday (December 8) that was aimed at blocking Microsoft's USD 69 billion bid to buy 'Call of Duty' maker gaming giant Activision. This is the biggest ever deal in the gaming industy. The FTC has filed the complaint over concerns that the deal would thwart competition. Taliban back usage of India-built Chabahar port, say 'ready to provide facilities' The Taliban regime in Afghanistan have backed the use of the India-built Chabahar port in Iran and said that it is ready to provide all the necessary "facilities". A statement issued by the Taliban's foreign ministry "welcomed" the proposal to include Chabahar port in the North-South International Transport Corridor that connects Mumbai to Moscow and passes via Iran and Azerbaijan. The statement highlighted that the regime stands "ready to provide all necessary protection and facilities in this regard." Merit over birthplace: US Congress to debate removing per country cap for Green Cards The White House on Thursday supported US Congress to pass a law that seeks to eliminate the per-country quota on green cards to allow US-based employers to focus on hiring people based on merit and not birthplace. The House of Representatives, this week, is scheduled to vote on the Equal Access to Green Cards for Legal Employment (EAGLE) Act of 2022. The bill was cleared by the US House Judiciary Committee in April 2022 and will face the test of Congress this week. Foxconn founder pushed China to loosen COVID-19 restrictions, says report It was Foxconn founder Terry Gou who pushed China to move away from its zero-Covid policy and loosen restrictions. Gou apparently warned Beijing that the strict stance of COVID-19 threatens its position as the world's second-largest economy in the global supply chain.

Morning brief: US sanctions on Russia, China; FTC opposes Microsoft-Activision deal and more

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Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick defends firm’s proposed acquisition by Microsoft in court

Morning brief: US sanctions on Russia, China; FTC opposes Microsoft-Activision deal and more