Tech giant Microsoft has achieved a significant milestone by finalizing its acquisition of gaming powerhouse Activision Blizzard, the creators of popular titles such as “Call of Duty” and “Candy Crush.” This momentous deal, valued at a staggering $69 billion, marks one of the most substantial technology mergers in history. After surmounting the last regulatory hurdles on Friday, the acquisition was officially closed.
In an official disclosure submitted to the US Securities and Exchange Commission, Microsoft confirmed the successful completion of the transaction, concluding nearly two years of intense scrutiny by various regulatory bodies, particularly in the United States.
The final impediment to this monumental acquisition came from British regulators, who had initially thwarted the deal in April, citing concerns over competition. However, on Friday, the British Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) issued a statement approving Microsoft’s takeover. The CMA emphasized that Microsoft would be able to purchase Activision without obtaining cloud gaming rights. Their decision was reached after a thorough evaluation, with the assurance that this acquisition would preserve competitive pricing and enhance services for consumers.
Microsoft initiated this takeover in January of the previous year with the goal of becoming the world’s third-largest gaming company in terms of revenue. Throughout the journey, they encountered formidable resistance from regulatory authorities.
Under the terms of the new agreement, Microsoft has committed not to assume control over the cloud gaming segment of Activision’s operations. Instead, this segment will be transferred to the French gaming studio Ubisoft for a duration of 15 years.
This historic acquisition not only solidifies Microsoft’s position in the gaming industry but also underscores the ever-growing importance of the gaming sector in the technology world. It will be intriguing to observe how this acquisition shapes the future of the gaming industry and the experiences it offers to players worldwide.