Why Microsoft's Activision Blizzard deal shouldn't go through, and why it will | This Week in Business

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It's been over a year now and Microsoft and Activision Blizzard have officially become the worst "Will they or won't they?" of all time.

(Yes, even worse than Ross and Rachel.)

(No, I did not forget that Ross was part of Ross and Rachel. Just accept the premise so we can get on with the column.)

I don't know about you, but I'm ready for this thing to be over. Thankfully, we're making some progress toward that goal, as the UK Competition and Markets Authority this week issued its provisional ruling on the Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

QUOTE | "Given we have provisionally found that Microsoft already has a strong position in this market through its ownership of Xbox, a global cloud computing service, and the leading PC operating system (OS), we are concerned that even a moderate increment to its strength may be expected to substantially reduce competition in this developing market to the detriment of current and future cloud gaming users." – The UK CMA weighs in.

As for ways Microsoft could address those concerns, the CMA suggested "structural remedies," like acquiring Activision Blizzard without the Activision division. Just sell that, or spin if off, either one. Oh, and Blizzard too might be good to toss aside, just to be safe.

The leaves King, really. The CMA frowns on Microsoft acquiring Activision Blizzard, but it can grab the Candy Crush making King division to prop up its surprisingly small presence in mobile gaming. Of course Microsoft can