Microsoft signs 15-year cloud streaming deal with Ubisoft in latest bid to win Activision Blizzard approval
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Microsoft has signed a 15-year deal to license Call of Duty and other Activision Blizzard games to Ubisoft in its latest bid to win antitrust approval for its $68.7 billion acquisition.
“In January 2022, Microsoft announced the proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard to advance our goal to bring more creative and innovative games to players everywhere and on any device, said Brad Smith, president of Microsoft, in announcing the deal. “Today, we are taking another important step regarding this transaction. To address the concerns about the impact of the proposed acquisition on cloud game streaming raised by the UK Competition and Markets Authority, we are restructuring the transaction to acquire a narrower set of rights.”
Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick also praised the agreement and said the integration plan is proceeding.
The United Kingdom is the last country where antitrust clearance is needed for the deal to go through. One of its concerns was whether Microsoft would have a monopoly on cloud streaming technology.
“This includes executing an agreement effective at the closing of our merger that transfers the cloud streaming rights for all current and new Activision Blizzard PC and console games released over the next 15 years to Ubisoft Entertainment. The rights will be in perpetuity,” Smith said.
“As a result of the agreement with Ubisoft, Microsoft believes its proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard presents a substantially different transaction under UK law than the
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