According to a court filing on Tuesday, Microsoft (MSFT.O) CEO Satya Nadella and Activision Blizzard (ATVI.O) CEO Bobby Kotick will testify at a five-day evidentiary hearing on the FTC’s legal quest to prevent the acquisition.
The FTC wants a preliminary injunction to stop Microsoft from buying Activision Blizzard for $69 billion. Microsoft claims that an injunction would terminate the pact, which has a July 18 termination date and a $3 billion termination fee for Microsoft.
June 22–June 29 is hearing.
The FTC claims the purchase would give Microsoft’s Xbox exclusive access to Activision titles, excluding Nintendo (7974.T) and Sony Group Corp.’s (6758.T) PlayStation.
In May, the EU authorized Microsoft’s acquisition of “Call of Duty” video game creator, while British competition authorities vetoed it in April.
Microsoft and the FTC are calling Nadella to testify about the video game industry, Microsoft Gaming’s strategy and operations, and the Activision acquisition.
Kotick will talk about Activision’s game business, plans, and tactics. Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO James Ryan and Dov Zimring, former director of product management for Stadia, Alphabet’s now-defunct gaming business, are also witnesses.
Two Nvidia execs testified. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer, Microsoft Gaming CFO Tim Stuart, and several expert witnesses will also testify.