Microsoft Activision Blizzard deal approved by UK regulator
The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has approved Microsoft's revised deal to purchase Activision Blizzard.
This leaves the door open for Microsoft to finally complete its proposed $68.7bn acquisition of the Call of Duty and Overwatch maker, over a year and half since it was first announced.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the CMA wrote: «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.
»This new deal will stop Microsoft from locking up competition in cloud gaming, preserving competitive prices and services for UK cloud gamers."
In a statement also shared directly with Eurogamer, Microsoft president Brad Smith said the company was «grateful» for the CMA's review and ultimate decision to approve the deal.
«We have now crossed the final regulatory hurdle to close this acquisition, which we believe will benefit players and the gaming industry worldwide,» Smith wrote.
We’re grateful for the CMA’s thorough review and decision today. We have now crossed the final regulatory hurdle to close this acquisition, which we believe will benefit players and the gaming industry worldwide.
As a recap, initially, the CMA blocked Microsoft's proposed deal to purchase Activision Blizzard, citing concerns regarding the cloud sector. In August, Microsoft subsequently submitted a revised proposal in a bid to appease the regulator, saying it would now sell the streaming rights for all Activision Blizzard games released in the next 15 years to Ubisoft should the new deal be accepted.
In September, the CMA then said this revised agreement would be enough for it
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