The European Commission in Brussels has communicated the first results of their investigation into the acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft for the modest sum of 69.3 billion dollars. The latter saw fit to initiate further investigation on the effects it could have on the competitiveness of the video game market.
An inconclusive investigation
Through their long statementwe will especially remember:
The Commission is therefore concerned that Microsoft will limit access to games like Call of Duty, Overwatch or even Diablo to its own services such as their Game Pass, and send Sony or others to look elsewhere.
A secondary and in-depth investigation has therefore been initiated, and the deadline before rendering a verdict is set for the March 23, 2023.
No worries for Bobby
Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick directly sent a message to its employees and investors following this decision, on the company’s investor relations site. For him the process is running and going as planned. He even took the opportunity to praise the recent approval of Brazilian regulators.
Among the bodies that have not yet approved the acquisition are the US Federal Tenders Commission and the UK Markets and Competition Authority.
A takeover still not 100% validated, and who knows what will happen if this deal is refuted…
playstation
Brazil’s government regulatory committee is the second entity to approve Microsoft’s purchase of Activision Blizzard, outright rejecting Sony’s arguments that the deal is anti-competitive.