U.K. authorities give final approval for Microsoft’s $68.7B acquisition of Activision Blizzard
The United Kingdom’s Competition and Markets Authority gave final approval today for Microsoft’s $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
The CMA issued a statement today that it has concluded that Microsoft’s concessions around cloud gaming are a “game changer” that will promote competition. The CMA said that the new deal for Microsoft to buy Activision without cloud gaming rights has been cleared after the CMA concluded it would preserve competitive prices and better services. The approval evidently clears the way for the deal to close on schedule without penalties for further delays.
In a statement, Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick said, “The CMA’s official approval is great news for our future with Microsoft, and we look forward to becoming part of the Xbox Team.”
In a letter to employees, Kotick also said, “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.”
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Microsoft first proposed the acquisition in January 2022, but it ran into headwinds as the U.S. Federal Trade Commission challenged the merger on antitrust grounds. Microsoft proceeded to address concerns by signing
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