Microsoft, which has confronted investigation over its $68.7 billion proposed securing of gaming company Activision Snow squall, is looking to shut the bargain as early as following week, a report said. Prior this year, the UK’s Competition and Markets Specialist blocked Microsoft’s bargain.
Citing a source familiar with Microsoft’s plans, The Verge reported that the company is eyeing to close the deal on October 13. In a bid to address concerns of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), Microsoft restructured the deal to transfer cloud gaming rights for current and new Activision Blizzard games to Ubisoft. Post this, the company secured preliminary approval from the CMA last month.
The CMA’s deadline to gather opinions over whether it should okay Microsoft’s merger with the ‘Call of duty’ maker expires today. A decision in this regard is expected next week. Microsoft and Activision extended their deal deadline to October 18.
Why UK blocked the deal
Earlier this year, the CMA blocked the deal in the UK over cloud concerns, saying that Microsoft may have an advantage in cloud gaming if the deal goes through. Weeks after the decision, the EU approved the deal with important cloud concessions from Microsoft.
Microsoft’s problems in the US
Microsoft’s regulatory battle then began in the US after the FTC tried to block the Activision Blizzard acquisition. The FTC then failed to secure a preliminary injunction to block the merger, for which testimonies of Xbox chief Phile Spencer, head of PlayStation and SIE, and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. The FTC is also planning to resume its own case against Microsoft-Activision Blizzard deal.
