UK Approves Microsoft’s Acquisition of Activision Blizzard

The planned acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Blizzard for $68.7 billion has finally been approved by regulators from the UK (Competition and Markets Authority).

This decision can be seen as the last cleared hurdle for the acquisition since the UK was impeding the finalization for quite some time. The transference of cloud gaming rights to Ubisoft played a significant role in this development.

A lengthy post on the official UK government website goes into detail about this decision, with the following passage summarizing the perceived benefits of this eventual acquisition and the shift in the cloud gaming part of the deal.

“The new deal will stop Microsoft from locking up competition in cloud gaming as this market takes off, preserving competitive prices and services for UK cloud gaming customers.

It will allow Ubisoft to offer Activision’s content under any business model, including through multigame subscription services. It will also help to ensure that cloud gaming providers will be able to use non-Windows operating systems for Activision content, reducing costs and increasing efficiency.”

The Vice Chair and President of Microsoft, Brad Smith, said the following:

We’re grateful for the CMA’s thorough review and decision today. We have now crossed the final regulatory hurdle to close this acquisition, which we believe will benefit players and the gaming industry worldwide.

Additionally, the following email was sent to employees by Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick:

Team,

Today the CMA, the regulatory authority in the UK, approved our transaction with Microsoft. 

We now have all regulatory approvals necessary to close and we look forward to bringing joy and connection to even more players around the world. 

Our board chair Brian Kelly and I are incredibly proud of all of you and your accomplishments over the last four decades. We’re excited for our next chapter together with Microsoft and the endless possibilities it creates for you and for our players.

With gratitude,

Bobby

For intricate details regarding the potential future of this deal and the history leading up to this point, check out coverage from The Verge.