Even as it looks to distance itself from Sony, Microsoft’s acquisition could also strengthen its position relative to other tech giants with deep pockets — like Amazon, Tencent and Google — that have signaled their intentions to invest more in the lucrative gaming business.Joost van Dreunen, a gaming investor, adviser and New York University professor who studies the business of video games, said buying Activision was “part defensive” because “you make it so the others can’t have it.”“They raise the bar regarding the cost of acquisition,” he added. “If you want to be at the table, you better bring your wallet.”Despite Microsoft’s initial hyping of the deal as a foray into the metaverse, it’s …
