Microsoft And Activision Bosses React To CMA Approval For Their Deal

gameranx.com:

Microsoft and Activision leadership have now chimed in with their responses to CMA’s approval of their merger acquisition deal.

Microsoft President Brad Smith has shared this message on Twitter:

“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.”

Activision Blizzard CEO, in the meantime, had this message for employees, in a company email that they also shared with the public:

“Today the CMA, the regulatory authority in the UK, approved our transaction with Microsoft.

We now have all regulatory approvals necessary to close and we look forward to bringing joy and connection to even more players around the world.

Our board chair Brian Kelly and I are incredibly proud of all of you and your accomplishments over the last four decades. We’re excited for our next chapter together with Microsoft and the endless possibilities it creates for you and for our players.”

There is very much one thing apparent in its absence in the messages from both company leaders. And that is that they did not say that they would be closing the deal immediately, or giving a date for when they intend to close the deal.

We have reported that both companies wanted to finalize the deal today, October 13, 2023. That, in spite of the ominous date being a Friday the 13^th. They may very well go through with that, assuming that everything they needed to arrange for to get the deal finalized is ready to go on this date.

While the deadline isn’t up until October 18, 2023, Wednesday next week, it is understandable why the two companies would want to finish the deal as soon as possible. The extended