In a major triumph for tech giant Microsoft, its proposed $69 billion takeover bid for Activision Blizzard has received approval from European regulators. This development comes as a significant win for Microsoft amid ongoing legal challenges to the deal in other parts of the world.
The European Commission, in an official statement, acknowledged that the merger could potentially impact competition, particularly within the rapidly expanding cloud gaming services sector. However, after careful consideration, the Commission expressed satisfaction with the measures put forth by Microsoft, deeming them effective in addressing any antitrust concerns arising from the transaction.
Microsoft has made significant commitments to address competition concerns raised by the European Commission regarding its acquisition of Activision. As part of the agreement, Microsoft has pledged to grant European consumers access to Activision titles on any cloud gaming platform for the next ten years. Furthermore, the tech giant has promised to maintain the quality and content of its games on rival streaming platforms, ensuring there will be no compromises. The European Commission expressed satisfaction with these commitments, noting that they represent a substantial improvement for cloud game streaming compared to the current state. Once the acquisition is finalized, Microsoft will become the world’s third-largest game publisher, following Tencent and Sony. However, the deal is currently facing scrutiny in the United States and the United Kingdom. Microsoft has responded to the European Commission’s decision by reaffirming its dedication to game streaming beyond the borders of the European Union. In an announcement, Microsoft President Brad Smith revealed that the company has been mandated by the European Commission to automatically license popular Activision Blizzard games to competing cloud gaming services. This requirement will have a global reach, allowing millions of consumers worldwide to enjoy these games on their preferred devices.
The conditions set by the European Commission were deemed “stringent” by Activision CEO Bobby Kotick. Nevertheless, Kotick pledged to increase investments in the European Union’s workforce.
“We have highly skilled teams in several European countries who possess the necessary abilities, aspirations, and government support to compete on a global scale,” Kotick emphasized. He further expressed optimism in these teams’ growth, highlighting their governments’ dedicated yet pragmatic approach to gaming.
Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, one of the largest deals in the history of the tech industry, has been closely monitored by antitrust regulators worldwide. While its approval in Europe is a significant milestone, Microsoft still faces regulatory challenges in other jurisdictions.
The successful completion of this deal has the potential to reshape the gaming landscape, consolidating power among a few major players and potentially influencing the future of cloud gaming. As Microsoft aims to expand its gaming portfolio and solidify its position in the gaming industry, the global gaming community eagerly awaits the outcome and the impact it will have on their gaming experiences.
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