UK regulator pre-approves Microsoft’s deal to acquire Activision
By ForGeeks British regulator — the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) — has given preliminary approval for Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
British regulator — the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) — has given preliminary approval for Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
The CMA remained the last major obstacle to finalizing the deal, and initially blocked the acquisition in April over concerns about the impact on the nascent cloud gaming market.
Microsoft attempted to restructure the proposed deal by agreeing to sell cloud streaming rights to Ubisoft, prompting the CMA to launch a new investigation into the merger. The move appears to have satisfied the CMA, which today published a preliminary ruling.
Microsoft’s move appears to have satisfied the CMA.
The CMA has opened a consultation that will run until October 6, after which a final decision will be made. If no major objections shed new light on the situation, it should be expected that the CMA will approve the deal.
After the CMA published its preliminary decision, Microsoft president and vice chairman Brad Smith tweeted: «We are encouraged by this positive development in the CMA’s review process.
