Microsoft’s $69-billion Activision deal wins EU approval
1 year, 7 months ago

Microsoft’s $69-billion Activision deal wins EU approval

LA Times  

The European Union approval of the massive gaming deal comes just weeks after the U.K. vetoed Microsoft’s takeover of Activision Blizzard. The European Commission said its own analysis showed the deal wouldn’t hurt competition after Microsoft vowed to let cloud rivals offer blockbuster titles such as “Call of Duty” on their own platforms for 10 years. EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager on Monday described the deal as “pro-competitive” and said it would “kickstart” the cloud streaming market, which represents just 1% to 3% of the entire gaming market. The European Commission defended its findings, saying that the deal would enable millions of European consumers “to stream Activision’s games using any cloud gaming services” operating in the EU region. By contrast, the U.K. said that the deal would reinforce Microsoft’s advantage in the cloud gaming market by giving it control over a number of leading games including “Overwatch” and “World of Warcraft.” The U.K. watchdog found that Activision would be able to start providing games on cloud platforms in the future without the merger.

Market Gaming Microsoft Cloud Commission Deal European Activision  european  activision  69billion  microsofts  approval  microsoft  wins  uk  deal  eu  gaming  commission  market  cloud

History of this topic

What does the Microsoft deal to buy Activision mean for gamers?
1 year, 2 months ago

What does the Microsoft deal to buy Activision mean for gamers?

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 Microsoft’s multibillion-dollar deal to buy …

Biggest deal in gaming history: Microsoft buys Activision Blizzard for $69 billion
1 year, 2 months ago

Biggest deal in gaming history: Microsoft buys Activision Blizzard for $69 billion

Hindustan Times  

Xbox maker Microsoft closed its $69 billion deal for Activision Blizzard on Friday, swelling its heft in the video-gaming market with best-selling titles including "Call of Duty" to better compete with industry leader Sony. "The new deal will stop Microsoft from locking up competition in cloud gaming as this market takes off, preserving competitive prices and services for UK cloud …

The $69 billion Microsoft-Activision deal finally complete after UK regulator’s nod
1 year, 2 months ago

The $69 billion Microsoft-Activision deal finally complete after UK regulator’s nod

Live Mint  

The British Competition and Markets Authority cleared Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard on Friday – the final regulatory hurdle before the biggest ever gaming deal. “We have now crossed the final regulatory hurdle to close this acquisition, which we believe will benefit players and the gaming industry worldwide,” Microsoft vice chair and president Brad Smith said in a …

Microsoft’s bid for Activision gets UK approval, removes last hurdle to gaming deal
1 year, 2 months ago

Microsoft’s bid for Activision gets UK approval, removes last hurdle to gaming deal

The Hindu  

Microsoft’s purchase of video game maker Activision Blizzard won final approval Friday from Britain’s competition watchdog, reversing its earlier decision to block the $69 billion deal and removing a last obstacle for one of the largest tech transactions in history. The Competition and Markets Authority's blessing was expected after it gave preliminary approval last month to a revamped Microsoft proposal …

Microsoft acquires Activision Blizzard in $69-billion gaming deal
1 year, 2 months ago

Microsoft acquires Activision Blizzard in $69-billion gaming deal

LA Times  

Microsoft announced plans to buy Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion in 2022 and closed the deal Friday. Microsoft acquired gaming giant Activision Blizzard on Friday, closing the biggest deal in video game history after more than a year of close scrutiny from antitrust officials around the world. Microsoft President Brad Smith said in a statement the combination “will benefit players …

Microsoft’s revamped $69 billion deal for Activision is on the cusp of going through
1 year, 3 months ago

Microsoft’s revamped $69 billion deal for Activision is on the cusp of going through

Associated Press  

LONDON — British competition regulators gave preliminary approval Friday to Microsoft’s restructured $69 billion deal to buy video game maker Activision Blizzard, easing a final global hurdle that paves the way for one of the largest tech transactions in history to go through. The Competition and Markets Authority said the revamped proposal “substantially addresses previous concerns” about stifling competition in …

Competition watchdog gives provisional approval for Microsoft to buy Activision
1 year, 3 months ago

Competition watchdog gives provisional approval for Microsoft to buy Activision

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. But by selling the cloud gaming rights for titles …

U.K. regulator signals approval for Microsoft to buy Activision Blizzard
1 year, 3 months ago

U.K. regulator signals approval for Microsoft to buy Activision Blizzard

LA Times  

Microsoft is seeking to acquire Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion to gain access to blockbuster games including “Call of Duty” and “Candy Crush.” Microsoft’s restructured acquisition of Santa Monica video game giant Activision Blizzard “opens the door” to the deal being cleared, U.K. regulators said Friday, removing a major hurdle for closing what would be the gaming industry’s largest merger. …

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 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

The Hindu  

Microsoft edits Activision Blizzard deal for the UK Microsoft is amending its Activision Blizzard takeover deal to get the UK antitrust regulator’s seal of approval. Microsoft President Brad Smith said that a deal had been struck with Ubisoft to sell cloud streaming rights for Activision games for more than a decade. Big Tech giants in Europe brace for Digital Services …

Microsoft revamps deal for video game maker Activision Blizzard to meet UK demands
1 year, 4 months ago

Microsoft revamps deal for video game maker Activision Blizzard to meet UK demands

The Hindu  

Microsoft revamped its bid to buy video game maker Activision Blizzard on Tuesday to appease British competition regulators, who are the last major hurdle to closing one of the biggest deals in tech history. Xbox maker Microsoft has been on a quest to acquire Activision, maker of the popular Call of Duty game franchise since announcing the $69 billion deal …

Microsoft budges on video game streaming rights in push for UK to approve Activision Blizzard deal
1 year, 4 months ago

Microsoft budges on video game streaming rights in push for UK to approve Activision Blizzard deal

Associated Press  

LONDON — British competition regulators opened a new investigation Tuesday into Microsoft’s revamped bid to buy video game maker Activision Blizzard, representing the last major hurdle to closing one of the biggest deals in tech history. Under the restructured deal, Microsoft will sell cloud streaming rights outside of the European Economic Area for all current and new Activision games released …

Britain hands Microsoft’s Activision deal an extra life
1 year, 5 months ago

Britain hands Microsoft’s Activision deal an extra life

Hindustan Times  

Merging companies have long seen Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority as something of an end-of-level boss. For two years running the CMA has blocked more deals than any other regulator, scotching ones like Meta’s acquisition of Giphy, a blameless meme-generator. This year it has been busy again, in April blocking Microsoft’s $69bn acquisition of Activision Blizzard, a video-game maker, which …

Microsoft-Activision deal back in hands of UK regulator after court pauses appeal
1 year, 5 months ago

Microsoft-Activision deal back in hands of UK regulator after court pauses appeal

The Hindu  

Microsoft's Activision Blizzard deal is back in the hands of Britain's antitrust regulator after an appeals court granted an adjournment, and the grounds for why the UK should reconsider its block on the U.S. software giant's takeover were published. The Competition and Markets Authority set out on Friday Microsoft's arguments for the reconsideration, as the U.S. battles to win UK …

Microsoft and UK regulators win more time to resolve blocked $69 billion Activision deal
1 year, 5 months ago

Microsoft and UK regulators win more time to resolve blocked $69 billion Activision deal

Associated Press  

LONDON — Microsoft and British regulators won more time from a court Monday as the U.S. tech company uses a rare second chance to overcome opposition to its $69 billion bid for video game maker Activision Blizzard. The regulator later pushed back its final decision so it can consider Microsoft’s argument that new developments mean its blockbuster purchase of the …

Microsoft gets more time from UK to plead case to buy video game maker Activision
1 year, 5 months ago

Microsoft gets more time from UK to plead case to buy video game maker Activision

Associated Press  

LONDON — British antitrust regulators on Friday extended their deadline to issue a final order blocking Microsoft’s $69 billion plan to buy video game maker Activision Blizzard, allowing them to consider the U.S. tech giant’s “detailed and complex submission” pleading its case. The Competition and Markets Authority had rejected the deal — the biggest in tech history — over fears …

Microsoft can move ahead with record $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, judge rules
1 year, 5 months ago

Microsoft can move ahead with record $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, judge rules

The Hindu  

A federal judge has handed Microsoft a major victory by declining to block its looming $69 billion takeover of video game company Activision Blizzard. The Federal Trade Commission, which enforces antitrust laws, “has not raised serious questions regarding whether the proposed merger is likely to substantially lessen competition” between video game consoles or in the growing markets for monthly game …

Microsoft can move ahead with record $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, judge rules
1 year, 5 months ago

Microsoft can move ahead with record $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, judge rules

Associated Press  

A federal judge has handed Microsoft a major victory by declining to block its looming $69 billion takeover of video game company Activision Blizzard. The proceeding showcased testimony by Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella and longtime Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick, who both pledged to keep Activision’s blockbuster game Call of Duty available to people who play it on …

Microsoft attempts to pick apart U.S. legal argument against deal to buy Activision
1 year, 5 months ago

Microsoft attempts to pick apart U.S. legal argument against deal to buy Activision

The Hindu  

Arguing for the government on Tuesday in its legal fight against Microsoft's $69 billion deal to buy game maker Activision Blizzard, Harvard economist Robin Lee struggled at times to plainly demonstrate how the planned deal would hurt gamers. Lee was pressed by an attorney for Microsoft over the details of his analyses of potential market share gains for the Redmond, …

Microsoft, regulators tangle in court over fate of $69 billion deal that could reshape video gaming
1 year, 6 months ago

Microsoft, regulators tangle in court over fate of $69 billion deal that could reshape video gaming

Associated Press  

SAN FRANCISCO — Federal regulators on Thursday launched a legal attack on Microsoft’s proposed $69 billion takeover of video game maker Activision Blizzard by depicting it as an anticompetitive weapon while Microsoft hailed the deal as a way to make popular games such as Call of Duty more widely available at cheaper prices. “Having differentiated content is critical to selling …

US Regulator Asks Judge to Stop Microsoft's USD 69 Billion Activision Deal
1 year, 6 months ago

US Regulator Asks Judge to Stop Microsoft's USD 69 Billion Activision Deal

News 18  

The US Federal Trade Commission asked a federal court on Monday to block Microsoft from completing its $69 billion buyout of gaming giant Activision Blizzard, a court filing showed. “A preliminary injunction is necessary to… prevent interim harm” while the FTC determines whether “the proposed acquisition violates US antitrust law,” the regulator said in the filing. Xbox-owner Microsoft launched a …

Microsoft sets out grounds for Activision appeal against UK regulator
1 year, 6 months ago

Microsoft sets out grounds for Activision appeal against UK regulator

The Hindu  

Microsoft is challenging Britain's decision to block its $69 billion takeover of "Call of Duty" maker Activision Blizzard on the grounds of "fundamental errors" in the assessment of Microsoft's cloud gaming services. It said the CMA's conclusion that the deal would lead to a substantial lessening of competition in the United Kingdom's cloud gaming market was wrong, according to the …

Today’s Cache | Meta’s third batch of layoffs begins; Microsoft appeals UK block on Activision Blizzard deal; UK works with AI firms for social benefits
1 year, 6 months ago

Today’s Cache | Meta’s third batch of layoffs begins; Microsoft appeals UK block on Activision Blizzard deal; UK works with AI firms for social benefits

The Hindu  

Meta’s third batch of layoffs begins Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp-parent Meta has started its third and likely last batch of major layoffs, this time reducing headcount across the company’s business departments, according to a source. Microsoft appeals UK block on Activision Blizzard deal Microsoft has confirmed that it filed an appeal against the British regulator’s decision to block its proposed …

Microsoft says China approves its plan to buy video game-maker Activision Blizzard
1 year, 7 months ago

Microsoft says China approves its plan to buy video game-maker Activision Blizzard

Associated Press  

Microsoft said Friday that China has unconditionally approved its plan to buy video game company Activision Blizzard, even as the deal still faces antitrust opposition in the U.S. and United Kingdom. China’s approval is complicated by the fact that Activision Blizzard stopped offering many of its games in mainland China earlier this year because of a dispute with its local …

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 bid to buy Activision Blizzard clears a key hurdle. But the $69B deal is still at risk

Associated Press  

LONDON — 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 acquisition, sweetened by Microsoft’s promises to automatically license Activision games to cloud gaming platforms, …

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 …

EU backs Microsoft buying Call of Duty maker Activision
1 year, 7 months ago

EU backs Microsoft buying Call of Duty maker Activision

Al Jazeera  

The US software giant still faces a battle to clinch its $69bn deal as Britain has blocked it and the US seeks to block. The European Commission said that the biggest-ever deal in gaming was pro-competitive due to Microsoft’s licencing deals. The EU watchdog said Microsoft has offered 10-year free licencing deals to European consumers and cloud game streaming services …

Microsoft signs 10-year deal with Nware after UK blocks Activision deal
1 year, 7 months ago

Microsoft signs 10-year deal with Nware after UK blocks Activision deal

Live Mint  

Following the United Kingdom government thwarting a deal between Microsoft Corporation and Call of Duty makers Activision Blizzard, the tech giant has signed a 10-year deal with Spanish cloud gaming platform Nware. The decade long deal will allow the tech giant Microsoft to stream Activision Blizzard titles, days after Britain blocked its $69 billion buyout of the "Call of Duty" …

Explainer: Is Microsoft still buying Activision Blizzard?
1 year, 7 months ago

Explainer: Is Microsoft still buying Activision Blizzard?

Associated Press  

It’s not “game over” yet for Microsoft’s quest to buy the video game maker Activision Blizzard, but the software giant is starting to run out of clear pathways to complete its $69 billion takeover. “If this were a smaller jurisdiction with a tiny population, the companies could shrug and say, ‘We just won’t do business there,’” said former FTC Chair …

UK blocks Microsoft-Activision gaming deal, biggest in tech
1 year, 7 months ago

UK blocks Microsoft-Activision gaming deal, biggest in tech

Associated Press  

LONDON — British antitrust regulators on Wednesday blocked Microsoft’s $69 billion purchase of video game maker Activision Blizzard, thwarting the biggest tech deal in history over worries that it would stifle competition for popular titles like Call of Duty in the fast-growing cloud gaming market. The U.K. watchdog’s decision “came as a surprise to most people” and heightens global uncertainty …

U.K. blocks Microsoft $69-bn Activision deal over cloud gaming concerns
1 year, 7 months ago

U.K. blocks Microsoft $69-bn Activision deal over cloud gaming concerns

The Hindu  

Britain will block Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of ‘Call of Duty’ maker Activision Blizzard over its concerns it would hinder competition in cloud gaming, dealing an unexpected blow to the biggest-ever deal in gaming. The country’s antitrust regulator said on Wednesday that Microsoft’s commitment to offer access to Activision’s multi-billion dollar ‘Call of Duty’ franchise to leading cloud gaming platforms …

U.K. blocks Microsoft’s Activision deal over competition fears
1 year, 7 months ago

U.K. blocks Microsoft’s Activision deal over competition fears

The Hindu  

British regulators have blocked Microsoft's $69 billion deal to buy video game maker Activision Blizzard over worries that it would stifle competition in the cloud gaming market. The Competition and Markets Authority said in its final report on April 26 that “the only effective remedy” to the significant loss of competition that the deal would result in “is to prohibit …

UK blocks $69 bn Microsoft-Activision deal amid cloud gaming concerns
1 year, 7 months ago

UK blocks $69 bn Microsoft-Activision deal amid cloud gaming concerns

Live Mint  

British regulators have blocked Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of "Call of Duty" maker Activision Blizzard amid concerns it would stifle competition in the fast-growing cloud gaming market. The all-cash agreement - one of the biggest tech deals in history - had also faced stiff opposition from rival Sony and was scrutinised by regulators in the US and Europe. The merger …

UK blocks Microsoft-Activision gaming deal, biggest in tech
1 year, 7 months ago

UK blocks Microsoft-Activision gaming deal, biggest in tech

Al Jazeera  

The antitrust regulator said a deal would stifle competition for video games in the fast-growing cloud gaming market. British antitrust regulators on Wednesday blocked Microsoft’s $69bn purchase of video game maker Activision Blizzard, thwarting the biggest tech deal in history over worries that it would stifle competition for popular titles like Call of Duty in the fast-growing cloud gaming market. …

UK watchdog softens position on Microsoft Activision deal
1 year, 9 months ago

UK watchdog softens position on Microsoft Activision deal

Associated Press  

LONDON — British antitrust regulators scrutinizing Microsoft’s blockbuster purchase of videogame maker Activision Blizzard on Friday dropped concerns that the deal would hurt the console gaming market, narrowing the scope of their investigation. The purchase hit a hurdle last month when the U.K. watchdog said in its initial decision that the deal would stifle competition for both cloud and console …

Microsoft's EU remedies target only cloud streaming rivals
1 year, 9 months ago

Microsoft's EU remedies target only cloud streaming rivals

The Hindu  

Microsoft Corp.'s remedies to address European Union antitrust concerns over its $69 billion acquisition of Activision focus only on cloud gaming services, with no mention of rival Sony, people familiar with the matter said on Monday. The U.S. software giant has been trying to allay the Commission's concerns that the deal may reduce competition for console and personal computers, PC …

Microsoft tells UK it will license 'Call of Duty' to Sony for 10 years
1 year, 9 months ago

Microsoft tells UK it will license 'Call of Duty' to Sony for 10 years

The Hindu  

Microsoft said it would license Activision Blizzard's "Call of Duty" to Sony for 10 years to address concerns raised by Britain over its $69 billion takeover of the games maker, according to a document published by the regulator. Britain's Competition and Markets Authority in February said the deal could weaken the rivalry between Microsoft's Xbox and Sony's PlayStation, and stifle …

Microsoft makes case for Activision merger amid EU scrutiny
1 year, 10 months ago

Microsoft makes case for Activision merger amid EU scrutiny

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — Microsoft’s Xbox video game division on Tuesday announced new partnerships with Nintendo and chipmaker Nvidia as it tries to persuade European regulators to approve its planned $68.7 billion takeover of game publishing giant Activision Blizzard. The European Commission, the 27-nation bloc’s executive arm, has been investigating whether the merger would distort fair competition to popular Activision Blizzard game …

Microsoft's president to push Activision deal at EU hearing; Google, Nvidia also present
1 year, 10 months ago

Microsoft's president to push Activision deal at EU hearing; Google, Nvidia also present

The Hindu  

Microsoft President Brad Smith on Tuesday will seek to convince EU antitrust regulators at a closed hearing that the U.S. software giant's $69 billion bid for "Call of Duty" maker Activision Blizzard will boost competition. Smith will lead a delegation of 18 senior executives, including Microsoft Gaming Chief Executive Officer Phil Spencer, while Activision will be represented by its CEO …

Microsoft’s Activision deal hurts gamers, UK watchdog says
1 year, 10 months ago

Microsoft’s Activision deal hurts gamers, UK watchdog says

Associated Press  

LONDON — Microsoft’s stalled $68.7 billion deal to buy video game company Activision Blizzard has hit a fresh hurdle in the United Kingdom, where the antitrust watchdog said Wednesday that it will stifle competition and hurt gamers. Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority said its in-depth investigation found that the deal could strengthen Microsoft’s position in the growing cloud gaming market, …

Microsoft to Challenge FTC's Potential Block on $69 Billion Activision Blizzard Acquisition
2 years ago

Microsoft to Challenge FTC's Potential Block on $69 Billion Activision Blizzard Acquisition

News 18  

Microsoft is headed for a battle with the Federal Trade Commission over whether the U.S. will block the tech giant’s planned takeover of video game company Activision Blizzard. The FTC claims the merger could violate antitrust laws by suppressing competitors to Microsoft’s Xbox game console and its growing Xbox Game Pass subscription business. Activision Blizzard filed its own rebuttal to …

Microsoft will fight U.S. over $68.7B Activision Blizzard deal
2 years ago

Microsoft will fight U.S. over $68.7B Activision Blizzard deal

The Hindu  

December 23, 2022 11:26 am | Updated December 24, 2022 04:18 pm IST Microsoft on Thursday filed a formal response to the Federal Trade Commission’s claims that the $68.7 billion deal is an illegal acquisition that should be stopped. The FTC claims the merger could violate antitrust laws by suppressing competitors to Microsoft’s Xbox game console and its growing Xbox …

Microsoft will fight US over $68.7B Activision Blizzard deal
2 years ago

Microsoft will fight US over $68.7B Activision Blizzard deal

Associated Press  

Microsoft is headed for a battle with the Federal Trade Commission over whether the U.S. will block the tech giant’s planned takeover of video game company Activision Blizzard. The FTC claims the merger could violate antitrust laws by suppressing competitors to Microsoft’s Xbox game console and its growing Xbox Game Pass subscription business. Activision Blizzard filed its own rebuttal to …

Microsoft will fight U.S. over $68.7-billion Activision Blizzard deal
2 years ago

Microsoft will fight U.S. over $68.7-billion Activision Blizzard deal

LA Times  

Microsoft is headed for a battle with the Federal Trade Commission, filing a formal challenge Thursday over whether the U.S. will block the tech giant’s planned takeover of video game company Activision Blizzard. Microsoft is headed for a battle with the Federal Trade Commission over whether the U.S. will block the tech giant’s planned takeover of video game company Activision …

Video gamers sue to stop Microsoft's Activision Blizzard buy
2 years ago

Video gamers sue to stop Microsoft's Activision Blizzard buy

The Hindu  

A group of gamers is suing to stop Microsoft from buying video game publisher Activision Blizzard, arguing that the $68.7 billion acquisition would stifle competition and reduce consumer choice. The Federal Trade Commission earlier this month sued to block the takeover, saying it could suppress competitors to Microsoft’s Xbox game console and its growing games subscription business. Several of the …

Video gamers sue to stop Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard buy
2 years ago

Video gamers sue to stop Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard buy

Associated Press  

SAN FRANCISCO — A group of gamers is suing to stop Microsoft from buying video game publisher Activision Blizzard, arguing that the $68.7 billion acquisition would stifle competition and reduce consumer choice. The lawsuit was filed late Tuesday in a U.S. federal court in San Francisco on behalf of 10 individual gamers who are fans of Activision Blizzard’s Call of …

FTC will seek to block Microsoft’s $69-billion deal for Activision
2 years ago

FTC will seek to block Microsoft’s $69-billion deal for Activision

LA Times  

The Federal Trade Commission will seek to block Microsoft’s proposed purchase of Activision Blizzard, which would be one of the 30 biggest deals of all time. The Federal Trade Commission is seeking to block Microsoft’s $69-billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, saying a tie-up between the Xbox maker and popular game publisher would harm competition. “Today we seek to stop Microsoft …

Microsoft's $69 billion Activision bid faces EU antitrust probe
2 years, 1 month ago

Microsoft's $69 billion Activision bid faces EU antitrust probe

The Hindu  

Microsoft may have to offer concessions to address EU antitrust concerns about its $69 billion bid for "Call of Duty" maker Activision Blizzard after regulators opened a full-scale investigation on Tuesday and warned about the impact of the deal. "The Commission's preliminary investigation shows that the transaction may significantly reduce competition on the markets for the distribution of console and …

EU’s Call of Duty: Probe Microsoft-Activision Blizzard deal
2 years, 1 month ago

EU’s Call of Duty: Probe Microsoft-Activision Blizzard deal

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — The European Union has launched an investigation into Microsoft’s planned takeover of video game giant Activision Blizzard, fearing the $69 billion deal would distort fair competition to popular titles like Call of Duty. Members of the European Commission, the 27-nation bloc’s executive arm, said in a statement Tuesday that “the point is to ensure that the gaming ecosystem …

EU probes Microsoft deal to buy Activision Blizzard, maker of ‘Call of Duty’ video games
2 years, 1 month ago

EU probes Microsoft deal to buy Activision Blizzard, maker of ‘Call of Duty’ video games

LA Times  

The European Union has launched an investigation into Microsoft’s planned takeover of video game giant Activision Blizzard, fearing the $69-billion deal would distort fair competition to popular titles such as “Call of Duty.” Microsoft, maker of the Xbox gaming system, first announced the agreement to buy the California-based game publisher in January, but it still awaits scrutiny by antitrust regulators …

Discover Related