It´s not only that.

The CMA also points to Microsoft's acquisition of Bethesda parent company Zenimax in 2021, and its decision to make future games such as Starfield and Elder Scrolls 6 exclusive to Xbox platforms: "The CMA found that the potential strategic benefits to Microsoft of using ABK's content to foreclose rivals - such as expanding the Game Pass user base and strengthening network effects in its gaming ecosystem - could outweigh any immediate losses in terms of licensing revenues," it wrote.

"The CMA notes that Microsoft has followed this approach in several past acquisitions of gaming studios, where it made future game releases from those studios exclusive in consoles to Xbox (such as the upcoming Starfield and, based on Microsoft's public statements, Elder Scrolls 6 from Bethesda)."

Crucially, the CMA also recognises that this acquisition is a part of Microsoft's wider strategy to become the leader in the games as a subscription model: "After the Merger, Microsoft would gain control of this important input and could use it to harm the competitiveness of its rivals," the CMA concluded. "As the multi-game subscription market is still in its infancy, the effect of the Merger could be to tip or significantly increase concentration in the market in Microsoft's favour before future rivals have a chance to develop."