As reported by Windows Central, sources have shared the inside details of an internal townhall yesterday between Activision CEO Bobby Kotick and Activision-Blizzard employees.
U.K. regulators finally approve Microsoft’s $68.7B acquisition of Activision Blizzard
22.09.2023 - 06:55 / venturebeat.com / Bobby Kotick / Elder Scrolls
We're thrilled to announce the return of GamesBeat Next, hosted in San Francisco this October, where we will explore the theme of «Playing the Edge.» Apply to speak here and learn more about sponsorship opportunities here. At the event, we will also announce 25 top game startups as the 2024 Game Changers. Apply or nominate today!
The United Kingdom’s antitrust agency has finally given preliminary approval to Microsoft’s $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
The Competition and Markets Authority issued a statement today saying it has give preliminary approval. The next step is for the CMA to gather third-party feedback, after which the CMA will reach a final decision. That means the merger is all but a done deal, after a regulatory process that involved an antitrust trial in the U.S. The companies originally proposed the merger in January 2022.
In a statement, Activision Blizzard said, “The CMA’s preliminary approval is great news for our future with Microsoft. We’re pleased the CMA has responded positively to the solutions Microsoft has proposed, and we look forward to working with Microsoft toward completing the regulatory review process.”
While other agencies around the world approved the deal, the CMA was concerned about the potential for Microsoft to dominate the cloud-gaming market. Today, the CMA said, “The sale of Activision’s cloud gaming rights to Ubisoft substantially addresses previous concerns and opens the door to the deal being cleared, the CMA said today.”
GamesBeat Next 2023
Join the GamesBeat community in San Francisco this October 24-25. You’ll hear from the brightest minds within the gaming industry on latest developments and their take on the future of gaming.
Now the companies will become a powerhouse of the gaming industry. Microsoft has properties like Halo, Forza, Flight Simulator, Doom, Gears of War, Elder Scrolls, Starfield, Fallout and more. While Activision Blizzard has the dominant shooter game in the world, Call of Duty, as well as Crash Bandicoot, World of Warcraft, StarCraft, Overwatch, Hearthstone, and more.
Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick sent the following email to employees:
Team,
I want to share an important update on our planned merger with Microsoft.
Today the UK regulatory authority, the CMA, issued a preliminary approval of our merger with Microsoft based on the solutions Microsoft presented in connection with its new merger application. This approval is critical to completing our merger.
The next step is for the CMA to gather third-party feedback, after which the CMA will reach a final decision.
As I said when we announced the deal, this transaction will help us accelerate our ambitions for the future of gaming and enable us to better serve our players.
The website gametalkz.com is an aggregator of news from open sources. The source is indicated at the beginning and at the end of the announcement. You can send a complaint on the news if you find it unreliable.
Top Authors
Popular Topics
wccftech.com
11.10.2023 / 10:49
Activision Blizzard Boss Hints at Guitar Hero Return, Says Microsoft’s AI Research Unlocks Unlimited Potential
A few hours ago, Windows Central reported on an internal Activision Blizzard meeting where CEO Bobby Kotick answered a plethora of questions on the company's future after the closure of the $68.7 billion acquisition by Microsoft (rumored to take place in just two days, if UK regulator CMA approves the deal).
pcgamer.com
10.10.2023 / 15:11
Activision reminds fans they'll need to get their wallets out for Modern Warfare 3, says its games won't hit Game Pass until next year at the earliest
Unless the FTC's Lina Khan runs in at the last minute to physically tackle Bobby Kotick before he can sign anything, it's looking very likely that Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard will close in the very near future. I mean very near, you understand, as in possibly this Friday, pending word from the UK market regulator. But if you think that heralds the imminent arrival of games like Modern Warfare 3 and Diablo 4 on Microsoft's Game Pass service, Activision has news for you: It doesn't.
mmorpg.com
09.10.2023 / 21:25
Activision Blizzard Addresses Questions About Its Titles and Microsoft Game Pass if Deal is Approved
With the approval of Microsoft’s efforts to acquire Activision Blizzard looking almost certain to close by next week, Activision Blizzard is beginning to discuss what might happen next in terms of its games and Game Pass.
mmorpg.com
06.10.2023 / 22:49
Microsoft's Acquisition Of Activision Blizzard Could Be Final Next Week According To New Report
According to a new report by The Verge, Microsoft's long acquisition struggle to own Activision Blizzard should be over next week.
gamedeveloper.com
06.10.2023 / 17:53
Microsoft's purchase of Activision Blizzard could conclude on Friday the 13th
Microsoft's $68.7 billion acquisition of Call of Duty and World of Warcraft publisher Activision Blizzard might be coming to a particularly spooky conclusion. Sources close to the deal have told The Verge that the long, knock-down drag-out process might conclude on Friday October 13.
gamingbolt.com
06.10.2023 / 14:33
Microsoft’s Acquisition of Activision Blizzard Will Reportedly be Finalized Next Week
The saga of Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard has dragged on for nearly two years at this point, but after having cleared several major regulatory hurdles, it seems like the $69 billion deal is edging closer to being finalized.
eurogamer.net
06.10.2023 / 12:45
Microsoft expected to finally buy Activision Blizzard next week
Microsoft plans to finally buy Activision Blizzard for $68.7bn next Friday, 13th October, according to a fresh report from The Verge.
eurogamer.net
28.09.2023 / 12:39
FTC resumes case against Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard
The FTC has once again resumed its case against Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, after a pause over the summer.
gamingbolt.com
28.09.2023 / 11:33
FTC Moving Ahead With In-House Trial Against Microsoft’s Acquisition of Activision Blizzard
After previously withdrawing the same, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced that it will move forward with its in-house trial against Microsoft regarding the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. This is after failing to file an injunction to halt the same and its appeal for the case being denied.
wccftech.com
27.09.2023 / 18:13
FTC Revives Its Internal Lawsuit Against Microsoft’s Acquisition of Activision Blizzard
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) isn't giving up its legal fight against Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard. As you're likely to remember, the US regulator tried to obtain a preliminary injunction to prevent Microsoft's deal from being completed but failed when Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley of the Northern District of California ruled in favor of Microsoft on July 11th.
tech.hindustantimes.com
26.09.2023 / 03:23
Microsoft nears takeover of 'Call of Duty' maker Activision
British regulators on Friday dropped their objections to Microsoft's attempt to buy video game firm Activision Blizzard, the maker of "Call of Duty", paving the way for the US tech titan to close one of the biggest technology acquisitions ever.