Microsoft to finalise $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard next week

WEB DESK: In a significant corporate move, Microsoft is on the verge of finalising its long-anticipated acquisition of Activision Blizzard, a deal valued at a staggering $68.7 billion.

According to a reliable insider, Microsoft is gearing up to make the official announcement on Friday, October 13th, marking the conclusion of a meticulous 20-month process aimed at acquiring the renowned creator of the popular game series, Call of Duty.

However, the finalisation of this deal hangs in the balance pending approval from the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), a regulatory body that previously obstructed Microsoft’s endeavours earlier this year.

Microsoft has recently restructured the agreement, transferring cloud gaming rights for both existing and upcoming Activision Blizzard games to Ubisoft. This strategic move garnered preliminary approval from the CMA in the previous month.

The United Kingdom’s Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) deadline for public opinions on Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard merger expires today.

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According to The Verge, a decision is expected next week. If approved, Microsoft could conclude its 20-month regulatory process earlier than expected, despite initial UK concerns about cloud technology. The EU approved Microsoft’s cloud concessions.

In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) failed to block the acquisition in court and is now appealing. The FTC’s administrative case could resume after the Ninth Circuit’s decision in December, potentially challenging the acquisition.