Unconfirmed reports suggest that the British regulator will make a preliminary new decision on Microsoft’s planned acquisition of Activision Blizzard next week. The final decision is expected a few weeks later.
After the US FTC lost in court in its attempt to obtain an injunction against Microsoft’s purchase of Activision Blizzard, the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is the only regulator to block the deal. However, the resistance is crumbling.
Initially, the CMA had in April this year surprised with the announcementto block the Xbox maker’s acquisition of the publisher amid concerns about its impact on the evolving cloud gaming market.
A little later, Microsoft sought professional proceedings against the decision. But both the Xbox manufacturer and the CMA decided to suspend the proceedings and seek an out-of-court settlement.
Microsoft restructured its planned acquisition of Activision Blizzard and announced the Cloud-Streaming-Rechte an Ubisoft wanting to sell. This move prompted the CMA to launch a new investigation into the merger.
“This includes an agreement, effective upon completion of our merger, to transfer cloud streaming rights for all current and new Activision Blizzard PC and console games released over the next 15 years to Ubisoft Entertainment SA “The world’s leading game manufacturer,” said Microsoft President Brad Smith last August.
The decision could come next week
But what happens next? This is where new rumors come into play, suggesting that a decision from the UK regulator regarding Microsoft’s planned acquisition of Activision Blizzard is expected next week.
Because according to a source from The VergeAccording to reports said to be familiar with the matter, the regulator wants to make a preliminary decision on the deal, which is worth around $69 billion, before the end of the month.
A final decision should then be made by October 18, 2023, which could result in a rapid takeover. In the meantime, however, the European Commission spoke up and showed itself not very pleased with the new conditions.
Further reports on the topic:
Activision Blizzard is one of the largest publishers on the market and has blockbusters like the “Call of Duty” series in its portfolio. While the future of other brands on the PlayStation consoles is open, the successful annual shooter will remain on the PS5 and possible successors – at least over a period of ten years.
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