Microsoft Activision Blizzard
Microsoft Corporation is on the verge of finalizing its proposed $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. According to sources familiar with the matter, Microsoft is aiming to make the announcement of the completion of this 20-month-long process on Friday, October 13th.
However, this closing date hinges on the decision of the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which previously blocked Microsoft’s deal. Microsoft has restructured the agreement to transfer cloud gaming rights for both existing and upcoming Activision Blizzard games to Ubisoft, and the CMA granted preliminary approval late last month as a result.
The CMA had a deadline that expired recently for gathering public opinions on whether Microsoft should proceed with the merger. A final decision from the CMA is expected next week, and assuming there are no last-minute surprises, Microsoft should be able to close the deal.
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Microsoft and Activision had previously extended their deal deadline to October 18th. If Microsoft manages to complete the acquisition next week, it will mark the end of a 20-month journey of regulatory approvals and challenges across Europe and the US.
The CMA had initially blocked the deal in the UK due to concerns about cloud services, but the EU later approved it with certain concessions from Microsoft. In the US, the FTC had also attempted to block the acquisition but failed to secure a preliminary injunction. The FTC is currently appealing this outcome, with a decision expected in early December. Additionally, the FTC plans to resume its administrative case against Microsoft’s proposed Activision Blizzard acquisition, which will begin 21 days after the Ninth Circuit rules on the FTC’s appeal. However, undoing the deal, if it closes on time, would be a formidable challenge for the FTC.
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