Subj : The CMA has approved Microsofts Activision acquisition deal
To   : All
From : TechnologyDaily
Date : Fri Oct 13 2023 10:15:04

The CMA has approved Microsofts Activision acquisition deal

Date:
Fri, 13 Oct 2023 08:59:54 +0000

Description:
The Competition and Markets authority has given its official approval of 
Microsoft's updated Activision acquisition deal.

FULL STORY
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The UKs competition regulator, the Competition and Markets Authority, has 
given its official approval of Microsofts proposed acquisition of Activision 
Blizzard, more than five months after it initially blocked the deal . 

In news published today (October 13), the CMA has confirmed that it is 
satisfied with the latest version of the deal, which will see Microsoft sell 
the cloud streaming rights for current and new Activision games (released 
over the next 15 years) to Ubisoft if the deal goes through. This updated 
proposal was put forward to directly address the regulators initial concerns 
that the merger could harm competition in cloud gaming in the UK, and last 
month, the CMA gave its preliminary approval . 

Today, Martin Coleman, the chair of the independent panel who reviewed the 
original proposal, reiterated the importance of cloud gaming, and stated that 
the merger could have seriously undermined its potential development. 
However, the amended deal is better for competition, better for consumers and 
better for economic growth. 

Sarah Cardell, the CMAs chief executive, said in a statement: With the sale 
of Activisions cloud streaming rights to Ubisoft, weve made sure Microsoft 
cant have a stranglehold over this important and rapidly developing market. 
As cloud gaming grows, this intervention will ensure people get more 
competitive prices, better services and more choice. We are the only 
competition agency globally to have delivered this outcome. 

However, Cardell also made it clear to any other businesses and advisors that 
the tactics employed by Microsoft are no way to engage with the CMA. She 
said: Microsoft had the chance to restructure during our initial 
investigation but instead continued to insist on a package of measures that 
we told them simply wouldnt work. Dragging out proceedings in this way only 
wastes time and money. 

Its worth keeping in mind that even with this approval, Microsofts 
acquisition of Activision still isnt closed, although that's expected to 
happen any time now. The deals deadline is October 18, so its very likely 
that well hear more soon. 

 If youre looking for some new games to play, you can find some stellar 
recommendations in our lists of the best Xbox Series X games and best PC 
games .



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Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/gaming/the-cma-has-approved-microsofts-activision-ac
quisition-deal


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