Sen. Cramer Raises Concerns about Anti-Competitive Behavior in Gaming Industry, Spotlights North Dakota Academic Leadership

Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)

BISMARCK — U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) sent the Sony Corporation a letter regarding its anti-competitive behavior and to request information on the company’s acquisition agreements.

“I write to express concern about Sony’s efforts to protect its gaming console business from competition. For more than 20 years, Sony has utterly dominated the gaming console market, as that market has been defined by the Federal Trade Commission. I am concerned Sony’s dominance of that market, and its efforts to perpetuate its current position imperils an important economic development opportunity for North Dakota,” wrote Senator Cramer.

He also highlighted the state’s leadership in establishing academic opportunities for students to engage with the gaming industry.

“To prepare North Dakotans for careers in this burgeoning industry and other technology fields, North Dakota has developed a strategy to lead the nation in computer science and cybersecurity education to organically grow the next generation of technology professionals. Preparing students for careers in gaming is an important component of this effort,” continued Senator Cramer. “As of 2019, 14 North Dakota high schools along with several universities participated in the competitive eSports revolution by instituting competitive gaming programs. Last year, the University of North Dakota became one of the first U.S. higher education institutions to offer a Bachelor of Science degree in eSports, providing students with a career path to the video gaming industry.”

 Click here to read the letter.