Competition regulator had initially moved to block $69bn acquisition but concerns addressed
The UK’s competition watchdog has cleared Microsoft’s $69bn (£54bn) deal to buy Activision Blizzard, the maker of games including Call of Duty and World of Warcraft, in a move that paves the way for both companies to complete the transaction.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) moved to block the megadeal in April, citing concerns that Microsoft – maker of the Xbox gaming console – would dominate the nascent cloud gaming market.
However, last month the watchdog said a revised deal that included selling cloud gaming rights outside Europe to Activision Blizzard’s French rival Ubisoft had addressed its concerns, indicating the tie-up would be approved.
In a statement on Friday Sarah Cardell, the CMA’s chief executive, said: “With the sale of Activision’s cloud streaming rights to Ubisoft, we’ve made sure Microsoft can’t have a stranglehold over this important and rapidly developing market. As cloud gaming grows, this intervention will ensure people get more competitive prices, better services and more choice.”
The acquisition agreement with Activision Blizzard had been due to expire on 18 October.
The UK regulator had appeared increasingly isolated in its position blocking the takeover after its EU counterparts passed the deal – after Microsoft offered alternative concessions on cloud gaming rights – and the US competition regulator failed to secure a court injunction to stop it. The Federal Trade Commission is maintaining its opposition to the deal but it cannot prevent Microsoft and Activision from completing it.
Source: The Guardian
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