Microsoft 69 Billion Dollar Activision Blizzard Acquisition: Microsoft acquired Activision, a major game company, for $69 billion. According to Britain’s trade inspector, the deal should proceed as Blizzard is trying to obtain approval. There have been changes and checks on the way to this point.
In 2022, Microsoft announced plans to buy Activision Blizzard, shocking the game industry. But it was challenging getting there. In April, the UK’s competition regulator intervened due to concerns that Microsoft’s cloud gaming dominance could harm competition.
Activision Blizzard, known for games like “Call of Duty,” took an intelligent step in August to address these fears. They sold streaming rights to Ubisoft Entertainment to appease the CMA. This sale was a significant change.
The CMA agreed the Ubisoft deal addressed many fears. Microsoft provided answers despite lingering concerns. The CMA has preliminarily approved these choices, which is a good sign.
If the deal happens, Microsoft will be the third largest video game producer globally, after Tencent and Sony.
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Microsoft is pleased with the progress, and President Brad Smith vows to address concerns about cloud game streaming. The deadline is Oct 18, so their goal is approval by then.
Activision, known for games like “World of Warcraft,” “Overwatch,” and “Candy Crush,” was pleased with the preliminary approval. It boosts their morale for future work at Microsoft.
In May, the EU agreed to a global deal. DESPITE BRITAIN’S PREVIOUS REJECTION, the EU accepted Microsoft’s promise to sell Activision’s games on other platforms.
However, the FTC still opposes the plan. Despite the FTC’s opposition, a federal judge approved the deal in July. The FTC is currently fighting this decision.
The CMA’s decision to reexamine the case was unexpected. Microsoft made changes to the deal to address the regulator’s concerns. The CMA said they should have known about the changes sooner.
Stocks expert Sophie Lund-Yates said Microsoft’s decision to give up cloud game rights was necessary for the deal, though not ideal for the company.
As regulation progresses, the CMA is reviewing suggested solutions and nearing a final decision. This trip through the regulatory system shows the challenges of making a big purchase in the gaming business.
Our Reader’s Queries
Did Microsoft close $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard after lengthy regulatory review?
On Friday, Microsoft announced the successful completion of its acquisition of Activision Blizzard for a whopping $69 billion. Despite facing regulatory challenges in both the UK and the US, the tech giant managed to overcome them and make the deal happen. This move highlights the trend of industry giants using their financial resources to expand their reach even further.
Which company recently completed a $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard?
On Friday, Microsoft successfully completed its acquisition of Activision Blizzard, a game-maker, for a whopping $69 billion. Despite facing opposition from antitrust regulators and competitors worldwide, Microsoft emerged victorious in the end. As the owner of the Xbox gaming system, this acquisition is a significant move for Microsoft, and it will be interesting to see how they leverage this new addition to their portfolio.
How much did Microsoft pay to acquire Activision Blizzard?
Activision Blizzard, the renowned game developer behind popular titles like Call of Duty and World of Warcraft, has been acquired by Microsoft in a $69bn (£57bn) deal. The UK’s competition watchdog has given the green light for the acquisition, marking the completion of the transaction. This move is expected to have a significant impact on the gaming industry, with Microsoft now poised to expand its reach and influence in the market.
Is the Microsoft Activision deal going through?
After a long wait, Microsoft has finally completed its biggest acquisition yet by purchasing Activision Blizzard. The deal underwent a rigorous regulatory review and has now received a positive ruling from a U.S. district judge.