Microsoft has been given the go-ahead by the U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority to acquire Activision Blizzard. This decision comes after Microsoft made a concession, allowing Ubisoft to purchase Activision’s cloud gaming rights. The U.K. government was concerned about Microsoft’s dominance in the cloud gaming market, but with this new arrangement, competition will be preserved.
The Competition and Markets Authority stated that they have cleared the deal, thanks to Microsoft’s agreement to let Ubisoft handle the cloud gaming rights. This move ensures that Microsoft won’t monopolize the market and guarantees competitive prices and services for UK cloud gaming customers.
Brad Smith, the vice chair and president of Microsoft, expressed his excitement on social media, stating that they have overcome the final regulatory hurdle and believe that this acquisition will benefit players and the gaming industry worldwide.
The original buyout was blocked by the CMA in April 2023 due to concerns about competition in the cloud gaming market. However, Microsoft’s streaming deal with Ubisoft in August, which added Activision Blizzard’s games to the Ubisoft+ service, helped address these concerns.
Table:
No changes made to the table content.
Source: DOTESPORTS
