The Activision Blizzard acquisition has begun to move toward its final phase. Not too long, the CMA provisionally approved the deal, signaling that the regulator was finally ready to clear the $68.7 billion transaction.
While the FTC has made it clear that it will not back down, Microsoft appears to be confident that the deal is more or less done. A new report claims the gaming giant intends to announce the completion of the merger exactly one week from now.
Why it matters: The merger will allow Microsoft to pursue expansion of its gaming business into the mobile market. IPs like Call of Duty will also strengthen the first-party games lineup of Xbox.
The Verge reports Microsoft has set its sights on October 13.
This will prove to be a crucial day for the gaming giant and potentially the most important day for Xbox, as the announcement of Activision Blizzard’s merger with the Xbox brand could be made on this day.
If everything goes according to plan, Microsoft’s announcement would bring an end to over 20 months of struggles. The gaming giant first announced it would buy Activision Blizzard in January 2022.
However, the fate of the deal would ultimately depend on the final decision of the CMA. While the regulator has provisionally approved the deal, it was previously against Microsoft’s merger, fearing the gaming giant’s growing influence over cloud gaming.
Nonetheless, Microsoft has handed the cloud streaming rights for Activision Blizzard to Ubisoft, addressing such concerns.
Following the merger, Activision expects Call of Duty to benefit from access to Microsoft’s industry-leading technologies.
We believe this is a good step for Microsoft and Xbox. The gaming giant has struggled to produce high-quality exclusives for Xbox to stand toe-to-toe with competitors like PlayStation and Nintendo.
However, merging with Activision Blizzard will allow IPs like Diablo and Call of Duty to find their home at Xbox, leading to a mutually beneficial relationship for both parties.
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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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