The Activision Blizzard merger has been Microsoft’s most ambitious endeavor in the gaming industry. With a $68.7 billion investment, this merger has lasted for nearly two years, but the end is finally here.
While the CMA was Microsoft’s last major hurdle, it has finally cleared the deal. This announcement comes after the UK regulator provided provisional approval not too long ago.
Why it matters: All the major regulators apart from the CMA had already approved the Activision Blizzard merger. Therefore, Microsoft is now free to close the deal.
We’ve cleared the new deal for Microsoft to buy Activision without cloud gaming rights.
In August, Microsoft made a concession that would see Ubisoft, instead of Microsoft, buy Activision’s cloud gaming rights.
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— Competition & Markets Authority (@CMAgovUK) October 13, 2023
Making the official announcement, the CMA put forth one condition. The UK regulator wants Microsoft to complete its deal with Ubisoft before the merger is finalized.
For the unfamiliar, Microsoft recently partnered with Ubisoft for cloud streaming of Activision games, which helped the gaming giant convince the CMA and earn this approval.
Nonetheless, with all the hurdles removed, Microsoft is likely days away from announcing the merger. This transaction will improve the first-party lineup of Xbox and ensure the gaming giant is able to compete in the mobile market.
Activision Blizzard’s games are also expected to make their way on Xbox Game Pass soon, but the latest releases will not arrive until 2024.
We are glad this long saga is finally over.
The Activision Blizzard deal has led to a lot of back and forth between gaming giants like PlayStation and Xbox, but its conclusion should allow both to focus on improving their game lineups and provide more quality experiences for their players.
This announcement marks a big moment for Microsoft and Xbox.
The company has spent the last few months struggling against the FTC in court and trying its hardest to complete the transaction. With the merger now more or less completed, Xbox has high hopes to become a force to be reckoned with in the industry.
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[Senior News Reporter]
Avinash is currently pursuing a Business degree in Australia. For more than 5 years, he has been working as a gaming journalist, utilizing his writing skills and love for gaming to report on the latest updates in the industry. Avinash loves to play action games like Devil May Cry and has also been mentioned on highly regarded websites, such as IGN, GamesRadar, GameRant, Dualshockers, CBR, and Gamespot.
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