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The FTC has asked a US court to temporarily block Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision BlizzardThe latest snag in Microsoft’s attempt at the biggest deal in video game history
The latest snag in Microsoft’s attempt at the biggest deal in video game history
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“Both a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction are necessary because Microsoft and Activision have represented that they may consummate the proposed acquisition at any time,” reads the FTC’scomplaint(viaThe Verge). “With control of Activision’s content, Microsoft would have the ability and increased incentive to withhold or degrade Activision’s content in ways that substantially lessen competition.”
Microsoft president Brad Smith said, “We welcome the opportunity to present our case in federal court,” in a statement provided to Reuters, while Activision did not provide a comment.
It’s not a particularly surprising move from the FTC, as the anti-trust organisation began the process of suing to stop Microsoft buying Activision Blizzardlast year. This latest move from the FTC is another bump in the road after the UK’s Competitions and Markets Authorityblocked the merger back in April. Microsoft isn’t having problems everywhere though, both regulators in theEUandChinahave approved the deal, but it’s obviously a big pain in the you know where that things aren’t going so smoothly in the US.
If the $70 billion deal does go through, it will be the largest ever in the games industry, and would put big titles likeOverwatch 2and World Of Warcraft right in Microsoft’s pocket.
