Recent times have seen an interesting turn of events in the Microsoft versus FTC hearing—an inadvertent claim about the gaming sphere that has left players and industry pundits flabbergasted. The Microsoft lawyer, in an attempt to clarify a mistake, erroneously declared the release year for The Elder Scrolls 16. A 2026 date for the anticipated game release has caused quite a stir, considering Bethesda's historical release calendar for the series.

Diving into the details, the lawyer's unintended error came while trying to elucidate the variations between the Elder Scrolls games. The confusion arises from the fact that this claim advances Bethesda's release calendar by a whopping 124 years.

This flub doesn't stand alone; the hearing has seen a series of blunders. These include confusion over gaming PC capabilities, a misinterpretation of a PlayStation document, and a peek into Microsoft's past acquisition targets due to document redaction issues. Xbox head, Phil Spencer, stated last week that the Elder Scrolls 6 is "so far out, it's hard to understand what the platforms will even be" and remarked that the release is "five-plus years away," further complicating the lawyer's claim.

These events highlight the complexities and misunderstandings that can arise when the legal world intersects with the rapidly evolving gaming industry. Indeed, it would be amusing were it not for the serious implications of such missteps in the context of a crucial court hearing. The FTC is attempting to halt Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, with the outcome of these errors yet to be determined.

The tumultuous hearing is set to conclude today with an impending judgment that could have significant consequences for the gaming industry. If the FTC succeeds, Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard will be stalled until at least August, giving the agency time to quash the deal permanently potentially. If the FTC fails, Microsoft will be navigating through multiple regulatory hurdles, including UK opposition, to finalize the acquisition swiftly. One thing is certain - the gaming world is keenly tuned in to this legal saga, eagerly awaiting the outcome.