Gaming News Acquisition of Activision Blizzard: Europe decides to extend the tension!
It’s been more than a year since Microsoft’s potential acquisition of Activision Blizzard King was discussed. Record sums, arguments for and against, reaction and questioning of the regulators, we were entitled to everything and above all to Sony’s fierce resistance.
Microsoft is acquiring Activision Blizzard King, a soap opera that’s more than a year old
By approaching $70 billion on the table to buy Activision Blizzard King, Microsoft has launched a real soap opera in the world of technology and video games. Hardly any takeover has spilled so much ink and provoked so many reactions. Ever since the acquisition agreement was announced in January 2022, everyone has been in a frenzy. Microsoft duplicates declarations and agreements to demonstrate that this acquisition does not impede the smooth functioning of competition, Sony gets out of the way to prove the operation isn’t good for business through the fall of Call of Duty, during Regulators take their time to make the right decision.
The FTC has filed a lawsuit against Microsoft seems to get bogged down in contradictory statements, and the CMA recently postponed the announcement of its decision until April 26th. The EU Commission has made progress since the publication of a series of complaints against the takeover. The European Union is concerned about the possible market dominance of Microsoft, particularly through cloud gaming. Never mind, Microsoft has announced agreements with NVIDIA, Boosteroid or even Ubitus. Enough to show their credentials and convince a commission that according to some sources, the acquisition should validate ? Hard to say.
Europe postpones its decision, the CMA in the spotlight
The EU Commission then granted ten days more than the original date Appointment postponed again on which it will draw its conclusions. After an initial postponement to April 25, the institution decided to break away from the group and the CMA. In a message on the official website of the European Union, forwarded by Reuters, we learn that the European Commission has taken this decision only pass judgment on May 22nd. Undoubtedly, the recently signed agreements brought additional analytical work and the April 25 date was no longer tenable. Note, however, that the May 22nd date is a deadline and therefore the final decision could be announced in advanceif it is possible.
In any case, we are getting closer and closer June, in which Microsoft still hopes to announce the final signing of the acquisition. With this postponement, the decision of the CMA in the UK is more awaited than ever. The British supervisory authority seems to be quite reluctant to take over the takeover Several studios surveyed announced their support for Microsoft based on real-life experiences and analysis of Xbox brand history. The European Union in the coming weeks will seek the opinion of competitors and regular customers by Microsoft before writing its decision. So by the end of April we should still know a few gun passes, unless the CMA, for its part, decides to postpone the pronouncement of his judgment.
