It is done! In a landmark decision, UK regulators have approved Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, marking a significant milestone in the gaming industry. This approval paves the way for the completion of the gaming industry’s biggest-ever takeover.
A Two-Year Battle Comes to an End
Microsoft’s revised offer to buy Call of Duty-maker Activision Blizzard has been approved by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The green light marks the culmination of a nearly two-year fight to secure the gaming industry’s biggest-ever takeover.
The Deal That Shook the Gaming World
Microsoft first proposed the acquisition of Activision Blizzard in January 2022. The deal, worth almost $69 billion, has taken nearly two years to complete. Despite facing regulatory challenges in the U.S., Europe, and the U.K., Microsoft has now cleared what appears to have been the final hurdle in its protracted acquisition.
The Revised Deal: A Win for Competition
Under the reworked deal, Microsoft will hand over the rights to distribute Activision’s games on consoles and PCs over the cloud to French video game publisher Ubisoft. This move is expected to preserve competitive prices in the gaming industry and provide more choices and better services.
Despite this concession, Microsoft will still control games such as Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Candy Crush which will provide the firm with huge revenues.
A Mixed Response from Regulators
The deal has proved controversial and received a mixed response from regulators around the world. However, it has already been passed by regulators in the European Union. The US competition watchdog recently saw its attempt to pause the purchase rejected by the courts.
With this approval, Microsoft is set to finalize its acquisition of Activision Blizzard. This move is expected to significantly reshape the gaming landscape and set a precedent for future mergers and acquisitions within the industry.
Stay tuned for more updates on this monumental deal in the gaming world.
