Activision and Microsoft to Encounter A Few More Issues
According to insiders cited by Bloomberg, the European Union (EU) has reportedly opted against launching any further investigations into the recently revamped Microsoft deal with Activision. This revised agreement comes in the wake of the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) putting a hold on the initial deal in April, expressing concerns about its potential impact on the emerging cloud gaming market.
To address these apprehensions, Microsoft, the tech giant behind Xbox, proposed a compromise. They pledged to relinquish Ubisoft cloud gaming rights beyond the borders of the European Economic Area, specifically for all games from Activision Blizzard set to be released over the next 15 years.
In the latest update from the CMA, it was disclosed that a provisional decision has been reached to green-light the deal. It is anticipated that the final verdict will be delivered within the next week, paving the way for the deal’s completion in the near future.
While it seems that the deal between the two companies is on the cusp of being finalized, not everything has been set in stone. Indeed, acquring Activision has not been a walk in the park. Microsoft is still navigating legal hurdles in the United States. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently reaffirmed its intention to proceed with an in-house challenge to the agreement, even if this process extends beyond its official closing.
Should the deal ultimately gain approval, Activision Blizzard has already shared its plans. They anticipate integrating their portfolio of titles into Microsoft’s Game Pass subscription service by the year 2024. This move promises to deliver an exciting array of gaming content to subscribers and solidify Microsoft’s position in the gaming industry. As the legal and regulatory landscapes continue to evolve, it remains a story to watch closely in the coming weeks and months.