Preliminary UK Approval for Microsoft's Activision Acquisition Hints at Call of Duty's Future in Xbox Game Pass
After months of speculation and roadblocks, Microsoft has received preliminary approval from the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to proceed with its 69 billion USD acquisition of Activision Blizzard. However, there's a catch. To ensure market competition, especially in the cloud gaming sector, Microsoft will have to sell off Activision’s cloud gaming rights to Ubisoft.
Initially, the CMA had concerns that the acquisition would monopolize the cloud gaming market. To mitigate this, Microsoft submitted a revised deal in August, proposing the divestment of Activision's cloud gaming rights. Ubisoft, stepping into this role, would assume ownership of blockbuster titles like Call of Duty, Overwatch, and World of Warcraft. The CMA stated that this move "substantially addresses previous concerns and opens the door to the deal being cleared."
Yet, the CMA still expects further "remedies" from Microsoft by October 6 to enforce the cloud gaming rights sale. A final decision on the acquisition is expected shortly after this deadline.
In a related development, players received a surprising message when attempting to purchase Call of Duty: Black Ops II in the store. The message read: "You receive this item for free with your gaming subscription. Continue to check out and use it forever!" The finding, credited to Twitter user @Tinosaurorex, suggests that Activision may already be integrating its titles with Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass.
(FYI) If you try to buy Call of Duty: Black Ops II in the Store you get a very peculiar message that says:
— Idle Sloth💙💛 (@IdleSloth84_) September 24, 2023
"You receive this item for free with your gaming subscription. Continue to check out and use it forever!"
Looks like Activision already preparing for CoD games for… pic.twitter.com/6UfYspCcwk
This preliminary approval is a significant milestone for Microsoft, but the stipulations attached underscore the regulatory hurdles big tech acquisitions face. The next weeks will be crucial as the deal approaches its final stages, potentially reshaping the gaming industry landscape.
Source: Twitter/X