Is Activision Blizzard’s Monopoly Threatening the Gaming Industry?

Prominent “Call of Duty” professionals have filed an antitrust lawsuit against Activision Blizzard, accusing the gaming giant of exploiting an “illegal monopoly” in leagues and tournaments at the expense of players. The lawsuit, consisting of a 44-page complaint, was filed in California on Thursday by Hector “H3cz” Rodriguez and Seth “Scump” Abner. The plaintiffs allege that Activision Blizzard abused its monopolistic position to prevent potential competitors from entering the “Call of Duty” market and imposed exorbitant fees for participation. According to the complainants, this practice led to the exclusion of those who could not or did not want to meet Activision Blizzard’s terms, while those who complied, including Rodriguez and Abner, suffered financial losses.

Beyond the financial aspects of the case, the lawsuit sheds light on Activision Blizzard’s alleged illegal monopoly, which prevents any other company from competing in the same space. The plaintiffs emphasize that without this monopoly, Activision Blizzard would not be able to enforce conditions that enrich the company at the expense of team owners and players, conditions that lack fair competition. In their lawsuit, Rodriguez and Abner demand a trial by jury and approximately $680 million in damages.

This lawsuit provides a new perspective on the esports industry and the issue of monopolies. It highlights how a dominant company can eliminate competition and control an entire industry, influencing participation terms and professional gamers’ career development. Such actions can have negative consequences for both the industry itself and the players, potentially leading to financial and professional losses. This complaint serves as a reminder of the need for fair competition in the market to ensure equitable conditions for all players. Activision Blizzard has not yet commented on the allegations.

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The source of the article is from the blog be3.sk