Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s chief financial officer said blocking rivals from the Call of Duty series was never mentioned prior to a proposed takeover of the games’ creator.
In a written declaration, Amy Hood said she understood the “necessity” of continuing to allow rivals such as Sony’s PlayStation to offer Call of Duty games after any merger between Microsoft and Activision Blizzard Inc (NASDAQ:ATVI).
“The possibility of making Call of Duty exclusive to Xbox was never assessed or discussed with me,” she said in the statement issued in lieu of a court appearance.
“Nor was it even mentioned in any of the presentations to or discussions with the board of directors,” she added.
Microsoft’s attempt to buy Call of Duty maker Activision has faced repeated hurdles, with UK regulators blocking the deal over concerns it would break competition rules.
Though EU regulators granted it go ahead, US officials later moved to temporarily oppose the takeover following reports Microsoft and Activision may press ahead with the merger regardless of the UK ruling.
Microsoft is currently in te midst of a five-day court case brought by the Federal Trade Commission in the US, which could well determine the future of the US$68.7bn deal.