On Wednesday, the U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said Microsoft’s planned $75B acquisition of video game developer Activision Blizzard would harm U.K. gamers.
The regulator pointed to Microsoft’s strong position in the cloud gaming market, noting the acquisition of Activision would further consolidate the tech giant’s power.
- The CMA proposed several remedies, including Microsoft divesting Activision’s publishing unit, which owns the Call of Duty franchise.
- Microsoft could also sell off Blizzard Entertainment, which owns World of Warcraft, Diablo, and Starcraft.
- Another option that doesn’t involve the sale of any of Activision’s assets could include enforceable commitments by Microsoft to make Call of Duty and other games available to rival console makers such as Sony Group.
- Microsoft previously said it would make its Call of Duty game available to rival consoles for 10 years.
- The CMA said it would ask both companies to propose ways to ease its concerns and would make a final decision on the deal in late April.
- In a statement responding to the new development, Microsoft said it is committed to offering effective and easily enforceable solutions that address the CMA’s concerns.
