Microsoft and Activision Blizzard extend merger deadline to October
Microsoft and Activision Blizzard have extended the deadline of their proposed merger until 18th October this year.
The self-imposed deadline was originally 18th July (yesterday), after which Microsoft would owe Activision Blizzard a $3bn fine.
It seems this has been renegotiated, as Xbox boss Phil Spencer dropped news of the new deadline on Twitter.
«We're optimistic about getting this done, and excited about bringing more games to more players everywhere,» he said.
Microsoft and Activision Blizzard have extended the merger agreement deadline to 10/18. We're optimistic about getting this done, and excited about bringing more games to more players everywhere.
The holdup is, of course, to find a remedy with the UK's CMA which blocked the deal due to concerns about a monopoly on cloud gaming.
Last week the CMA extended its deadline on a final decision to take into account a new «detailed and complex» proposal from Microsoft with changes in circumstances.
The CMA will now take a further six weeks, with a revised deadline of 29th August.
«The recent decision in the US and approvals in 40 countries all validate that the deal is good for competition, players, and the future of gaming,» said Activision Blizzard's CCO and EVP of corporate affairs Lulu Cheng Meservey.
«Given global regulatory approvals and the companies' confidence that CMA now recognises there are remedies available to meet their concerns in the UK, the Activision Blizzard and Microsoft boards of directors have authorised the companies not to terminate the deal until after October 18.
»We're confident in our next steps and that our deal will quickly close."
Update on Activision Blizzard’s merger with Microsoft: agreement deadline extended The recent decision in
Read more on eurogamer.net
