Following a surprise decision by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) last week, the biggest takeover in gaming history is at stake. Microsoft’s $68.7 billion deal to acquire Activision Blizzard has been blocked by UK regulators, and EU regulators will make a decision in the coming weeks.
In Status Update (above), we look back at the history of this deal over the past year, the battle between Microsoft and Sony over Duty, and exactly why regulators are concerned about this mammoth purchase. The CMA’s decision could be a huge block to this massive deal, so what happens next? Microsoft is getting ready to fight, so expect an appeal that will drag on for months and also a messy battle with the FTC.
For now, all eyes are on European regulators as Microsoft tries to salvage this acquisition in the coming weeks.