On July 11, 2023, a U.S. judge approved Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. This decision came despite objections from the White House. Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley ruled that the deal would not harm competition in the video game market.
The UK government softened its opposition to the acquisition. They stated that they would not block the deal if Microsoft made certain concessions. These concessions included promising to keep Activision Blizzard’s games available on other platforms like PlayStation and Switch consoles. Additionally, Microsoft committed to not raising prices for Activision Blizzard games and providing independent developers access to Activision Blizzard’s technology.
While the Microsoft-Activision Blizzard deal still needs approval from regulators in other countries, it is now considered likely to go through. If finalized, the deal would create a gaming giant with a vast portfolio of popular titles such as Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Candy Crush.
Reactions to the deal have been mixed among gamers and industry analysts. Some individuals welcomed the acquisition, believing that it would provide Microsoft with the resources to invest in new games and technologies. Others expressed concerns about reduced competition in the gaming market and potential price increases for games.
The full impact of the Microsoft-Activision Blizzard deal on the video game industry remains to be seen. However, it is evident that this agreement represents a significant development with far-reaching consequences for the industry.
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