Finally light at the end of the tunnel? More than two years after its announcement, the takeover of Activision-Blizzard by Microsoft is taking a new major step.
New twist in the case of the takeover of Activision-Blizzard. Two years later, the acquisition by Microsoft is still floundering. The sum of 68.7 billion dollars advanced by the Redmond firm should enable it to strengthen its position in the video game, services and cloud market. But with franchises like Call of Duty or World of Warcraft, the authorities responsible for approving this historic takeover are cautious. The United States and England are strongly opposed to it for the moment, but a new crucial stage has just been passed. One of the largest authorities in the world has just validated the takeover.
Activision Blizzard takeover approved in Europe
It’s a bit our soap opera of the video game. Between Sony, which tries by all means to counter it, regulators who change their minds and Microsoft’s arguments in spades, the takeover of Activision Blizzard never ceases to be talked about. If the American and British authorities have put their veto, but a new course has just been passed. The acquisition was validated by the European Commission on May 15, 2023 following the promises and corrective measures proposed by Microsoft in terms of cloud gaming.
She feels that they have addressed her concerns. “The commitments fully address the competition concerns identified by the Commission and represent a significant improvement for cloud gaming compared to the current situation “, declared the European organization in its press release.
An important step
More than the Xbox exclusive of Call of Duty which could harm its competitor, it is around this technology that the fears of the two other imperative regulators relate for the takeover to see the light of day. To overcome the reluctance of the institutions in question, Microsoft spares no effort. The giant has chained the signatures of agreements with key partners in the field to publish Activision games on PC and consoles. In Europe, the American giant had offered 10-year free license agreements to consumers. It is therefore an important milestone that has just been passed, but the battle is far from won.
The Redmond company still has to convince the FTC (United States) and the CMA (United Kingdom), which are still fiercely opposed to the takeover of Activision-Blizzard. “The CMA has blocked Microsoft’s proposed purchase of Activision, fearing the deal will alter the future of the growing cloud gaming market, leading to reduced innovation and less choice for UK gamers over the years coming “, explained the British body. The sequel to the next episode then.
