EU backs Microsoft buying Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard. But the $69B deal is still at risk
1 year, 7 months ago

EU backs Microsoft buying Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard. But the $69B deal is still at risk

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The European Union on Monday approved Microsoft’s $69 billion purchase of video game maker Activision Blizzard, deciding the deal won’t stifle competition for popular console titles like Call of Duty and accepting the U.S. tech company’s remedies to boost competition in cloud gaming. The deal, sweetened by Microsoft's promises to free up licensing conditions for cloud gaming, “would no longer raise competition concerns and would ultimately unlock significant benefits for competition and consumers,” said the European Commission, the 27-nation bloc’s executive arm and top antitrust watchdog. The commission approved the deal after accepting Microsoft’s offer to modify its licensing agreements to allow users and any cloud gaming platforms to stream its titles without paying any royalties for 10 years. Activision games aren't available on cloud services, but the commission noted that the licensing commitments could expand the cloud gaming market “by bringing Activision’s games to new platforms, including smaller EU players, and to more devices than before.” The EU decision is at odds with the stance taken by British antitrust regulators, who last month upended the biggest tech deal in history over concerns it would stifle competition in the small but rapidly growing cloud gaming market.

History of this topic

What does the Microsoft deal to buy Activision mean for gamers?
1 year, 2 months ago
Biggest deal in gaming history: Microsoft buys Activision Blizzard for $69 billion
1 year, 2 months ago
The $69 billion Microsoft-Activision deal finally complete after UK regulator’s nod
1 year, 2 months ago
Microsoft’s bid for Activision gets UK approval, removes last hurdle to gaming deal
1 year, 2 months ago
Microsoft closes deal to buy Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard after antitrust fights
1 year, 2 months ago
Microsoft acquires Activision Blizzard in $69-billion gaming deal
1 year, 2 months ago
Microsoft’s revamped $69 billion deal for Activision is on the cusp of going through
1 year, 3 months ago
Competition watchdog gives provisional approval for Microsoft to buy Activision
1 year, 3 months ago
U.K. regulator signals approval for Microsoft to buy Activision Blizzard
1 year, 3 months ago
Microsoft edits Activision Blizzard deal for the UK; Big Tech giants in Europe brace for Digital Services Act; FTC will probe Qualcomm’s chipmaker acquisition - The Hindu
1 year, 4 months ago
Microsoft revamps deal for video game maker Activision Blizzard to meet UK demands
1 year, 4 months ago
Microsoft budges on video game streaming rights in push for UK to approve Activision Blizzard deal
1 year, 4 months ago
Microsoft and UK regulators win more time to resolve blocked $69 billion Activision deal
1 year, 5 months ago
Microsoft agrees to keep Call of Duty on Sony Playstation after it buys Activision Blizzard
1 year, 5 months ago
Fate of record tech industry tie-up heads to judge as Microsoft defends $69B Activision deal
1 year, 5 months ago
Microsoft acquiring Activision will be good for gaming and everyone, Satya Nadella tells US court
1 year, 5 months ago
Microsoft, regulators tangle in court over fate of $69 billion deal that could reshape video gaming
1 year, 6 months ago
US Regulator Asks Judge to Stop Microsoft's USD 69 Billion Activision Deal
1 year, 6 months ago
Microsoft sets out grounds for Activision appeal against UK regulator
1 year, 6 months ago
Microsoft defeats gamers' bid to block $69 billion Activision deal in U.S. court
1 year, 7 months ago
Microsoft’s bid to buy Activision Blizzard clears a key hurdle. But the $69B deal is still at risk
1 year, 7 months ago
Microsoft’s $69-billion Activision deal wins EU approval
1 year, 7 months ago
EU backs Microsoft buying Call of Duty maker Activision
1 year, 7 months ago
Microsoft signs 10-year deal with Nware after UK blocks Activision deal
1 year, 7 months ago
Explainer: Is Microsoft still buying Activision Blizzard?
1 year, 7 months ago
UK blocks Microsoft-Activision gaming deal, biggest in tech
1 year, 7 months ago
U.K. blocks Microsoft $69-bn Activision deal over cloud gaming concerns
1 year, 7 months ago
U.K. blocks Microsoft’s Activision deal over competition fears
1 year, 7 months ago
UK blocks $69 bn Microsoft-Activision deal amid cloud gaming concerns
1 year, 7 months ago
UK blocks Microsoft-Activision gaming deal, biggest in tech
1 year, 7 months ago
Microsoft's bid to buy games giant faces triple anti-trust threat
1 year, 8 months ago
'Call of Duty can't be held hostage', UK regulator sides with Microsoft
1 year, 8 months ago
UK watchdog softens position on Microsoft Activision deal
1 year, 8 months ago
Microsoft's EU remedies target only cloud streaming rivals
1 year, 9 months ago
Microsoft tells UK it will license 'Call of Duty' to Sony for 10 years
1 year, 9 months ago
Microsoft ambitious to expand to mobile gaming with Activision King acquisition
1 year, 9 months ago
Microsoft inks Nvidia game deal to soothe regulators over Activision merger
1 year, 10 months ago
Microsoft makes case for Activision merger amid EU scrutiny
1 year, 10 months ago
Microsoft inks deal with Nvidia to assuage regulators over Activision merger
1 year, 10 months ago
Microsoft's president to push Activision deal at EU hearing; Google, Nvidia also present
1 year, 10 months ago
Microsoft’s Activision deal hurts gamers, UK watchdog says
1 year, 10 months ago
Explained | Why is Microsoft’s acquisition of Call of Duty-creator under the FTC scanner?
1 year, 11 months ago
Microsoft to Challenge FTC's Potential Block on $69 Billion Activision Blizzard Acquisition
1 year, 11 months ago
Microsoft will fight U.S. over $68.7B Activision Blizzard deal
2 years ago
Microsoft will fight US over $68.7B Activision Blizzard deal
2 years ago
Video gamers sue to stop Microsoft's Activision Blizzard buy
2 years ago
Video gamers sue to stop Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard buy
2 years ago
US sues to block Microsoft buying ‘Call of Duty’ maker Activision
2 years ago
Microsoft strikes 10-year deal with Nintendo on Call of Duty
2 years ago

Discover Related