09 October 2023 , 16:00
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Almost two years since Microsoft first announced its intention to buy Activision Blizzard, the last regulator standing might soon approve the deal.
This week could see the long gestating Microsoft Activision deal approved by the one regulator left who has yet to make a final decision. Microsoft’s attempted $68.7 billion purchase of Activision Blizzard – which would see the developer welcomed into Xbox’s first-party family of studios – was previously halted by the UK’s CMA (Competitions and Markets Authority) over cloud gaming fears. This was in stark contrast to other territories like Brazil, Japan, and Chile who cleared it with ease.
The United States’ FTC (Federal Trade Commission) had also taken issue with the Microsoft Activision deal, but lost its court case after failing to prove how it would grant Xbox market dominance over PlayStation and Nintendo. This left the CMA as the one remaining blocker. That is until the UK body recently gave Microsoft the tentative thumbs up providing it altered its acquisition terms, which it enabled the tech giant to do thanks to an extended deadline of Wednesday, October 18.
The CMA’s internal deadline whether or not to grant the merger was last week, though, meaning its decision could come any day now. “Microsoft has put forward remedies which the CMA has provisionally concluded should address these issues” it said in its most recent statement, leading everyone to believe that CMA approval for the Microsoft Activision deal is all but imminent. When the decision finally does arrive, Microsoft will have clearance to complete after a 20-month long period of trying to get it through.
End is nigh
Getting its purchase of the Diablo and Call of Duty publisher approved has arguably cost Microsoft much more than it had originally planned – not in terms of money but reputation and private secrets. After all, it was less than a month ago since Microsoft’s plans for an Xbox Series X refresh console in 2024 were leaked as part of an error when it submitted to the FTC. These leaked emails also revealed plans for a new controller and head of Xbox Phil Spencer’s intention to buy up other studios.
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Top of Spencer’s acquisition hitlist were the likes of Valve, Warner Bros Games and even Nintendo. The leaked FTC documents and emails were of much debate in the industry, going so far as to inspire third-party publishers like Capcom to set the record straight on its interest in being acquired. The FTC still intends to appeal the US Court’s outcome with a final decision due to arrive in early December.
That FTC appeal is incredibly unlikely to be overturned, however, all but confirming the Microsoft Activision deal gaining worldwide approval by all of the necessary authorities. Those expecting to see the resulting effects in the short term shouldn’t hold their breath. Call of Duty on Xbox Game Pass is something that could happen eventually, but definitely not this year.