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FILE - An image from Activision's Call of Duty is shown on a smartphone near a photograph of the Microsoft logo in this photo taken in New York, June 15, 2023. Microsoft’s purchase of video game maker Activision Blizzard won final approval Friday, Oct. 13, from Britain’s competition watchdog, reversing its earlier decision to block the $69 billion deal and removing a last obstacle for one of the largest tech transactions in history.
The nearly 22 months it took to close the deal reflected concerns from rivals and government regulators that Microsoft could use its growing collection of games to lessen competition. It’s part of a broader industry consolidation that also has some independent game developers worried they’ll get sidelined as the industry allocates its resources toward blockbuster franchises with a history of past success.
The blessing from the U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority was expected after it gave preliminary approval last month to a revamped Microsoft proposal meant to address concerns that the deal would harm competition and hurt gamers, especially in the emerging cloud gaming market where players can avoid buying pricey consoles and stream games to their tablets or phones.
But the deal faced resistance from British and American regulators who worried it would stifle competition in the video game industry. Top rival Sony also feared it would limit PlayStation gamers’ access to Call of Duty, Activision’s long-running military shooter series. One factor was the EU’s approval, granted after Microsoft promised to automatically license Activision titles royalty-free to cloud gaming platforms. Another “material change of circumstance,” according to court documents, was an agreement Microsoft signed with Sony to make Call of Duty available on PlayStation for at least 10 years.
Up until now, computer maker Dell held the record for the priciest tech deal after it bought data-storage company EMC in 2016 for around $60 billion. Microsoft’s own biggest deal was its $26 billion acquisition of professional networking service LinkedIn around the same time.
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Microsoft-Activision Blizzard takeover gets approval from UK regulators, clearing way for deal to closeBritain's top competition watchdog gave the green light to Microsoft's proposed $69 billion takeover of gaming firm Activision Blizzard Friday.
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Microsoft-Activision Blizzard takeover gets approval from UK regulators, clearing way for deal to closeBritain’s top competition watchdog gave the green light to Microsoft’s proposed $69 billion takeover of gaming firm Activision Blizzard Friday.
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Microsoft-Activision Blizzard takeover approved by UK regulators, clearing way for deal to closeBritain’s top competition watchdog gave the green light to Microsoft’s proposed $69 billion takeover of gaming firm Activision Blizzard Friday.
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Microsoft's $69 billion Activision Blizzard takeover approved by UK, clearing way for deal to closeBritain’s top competition watchdog gave the green light to Microsoft’s proposed $69 billion takeover of gaming firm Activision Blizzard Friday.
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UK regulator approves Microsoft's $68.7 billion purchase of Activision BlizzardAfter a protracted back and forth, the UK's antitrust regulator has given Microsoft the green light to buy Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion.
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Microsoft-Activision Blizzard Deal Gets Final UK Regulatory ApprovalMicrosoft's deal to buy Activision Blizzard was approved by U.K. regulators, clearing the way for the blockbuster acquisition to close.
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