UK watchdog officially launches in-depth probe of Xbox’s Activision deal
The UK competition regulator’s investigation into Microsoft‘s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard has officially been expanded to a second phase.
Last week, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said its inquiry into the $68.7 billion merger could be referred for an “in-depth investigation” due to a number of antitrust concerns.
Notably, it said it was worried about the impact the deal could have on PlayStation’s ability to compete, given that the deal would see Microsoft gain ownership of the Call of Duty series.
The CMA offered Microsoft the chance to submit proposals addressing its concerns, but it said on Thursday that the company had chosen not to do so at this stage.
Phase two of the CMA’s investigation has seen it appoint an independent panel to scrutinise the deal in further detail and evaluate if it’s more likely than not to result in a substantial lessening of competition.
It’s unclear how long the next phase of its inquiry might take, but VGC has contacted the CMA for further information.
“The CMA has referred the anticipated acquisition by Microsoft Corporation of Activision Blizzard, Inc. for an in-depth investigation, on the basis that, on the information currently available to it, it is or may be the case that this Merger may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom,” the watchdog said on Thursday.
The proposed acquisition is being scrutinised by regulators around the world amid concerns about antitrust issues during a time of increasing consolidation in the gaming industry.
According to a Financial Times report published on Wednesday, regulators and others involved in the deal are also expecting a lengthy EU probe once Microsoft
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