Microsoft Nears Finalization of Activision Blizzard Acquisition

Microsoft Nears Finalization of Activision Blizzard Acquisition

Microsoft is set to wrap up its 68.7 billion USD acquisition of Activision Blizzard, with a tentative closing date set for Friday, October 13th. This timeline, however, remains contingent on the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which had previously halted the deal due to cloud gaming concerns.

In response, Microsoft adjusted the terms of the agreement, granting Ubisoft cloud gaming rights for existing and future Activision Blizzard titles. This move garnered them preliminary approval from the CMA last month. The regulatory agency is currently in the final stages of gathering public opinion and is expected to issue a conclusive decision next week.

While the deal deadline between Microsoft and Activision has been extended to October 18th, a favorable verdict from the CMA could conclude this 20-month saga of regulatory hoops and hurdles in both Europe and the United States sooner than anticipated.

Earlier, the CMA had put the brakes on the deal in the UK, citing cloud gaming issues. This decision came just before the EU gave its approval, conditioned on Microsoft making certain concessions related to cloud services. Meanwhile, in the U.S., the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) had initially filed a lawsuit to prevent the acquisition. Although the FTC failed to secure a preliminary injunction, it's currently appealing this outcome. Should the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rule in favor of the FTC in early December, the agency will resume its administrative case against the acquisition, presenting a potential, albeit steep, challenge to the finalized deal.

Source: The Verge