Has Microsoft Successfully Convinced Europe to Approve the Acquisition of Activision Blizzard?

Microsoft recently presented its case to the European Commission, making a compelling argument for why it should be allowed to acquire Activision Blizzard. The company's president, Brad Smith, revealed a contract that had been sent to Sony, demonstrating Microsoft's willingness to cooperate with its competitors. This move was part of a broader PR strategy that included statements from the US trade union and announcements about Nintendo and Nvidia's involvement with Call of Duty. Two key announcements stood out: the Nintendo contract and the plan to make Xbox games, including Call of Duty, available on Nvidia GeForce Now. These moves aim to alleviate concerns about Microsoft's potential dominance in the gaming industry and its impact on the market. The company also highlighted the potential benefits of the acquisition, including increased access to Call of Duty for 150 million more devices. However, the true challenge lies with the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which has requested that Microsoft make significant changes to its business structure. Microsoft has rejected this option, leaving only two weeks to convince the UK of an alternative solution. The outcome of this acquisition remains uncertain, with the CMA being the biggest obstacle to its completion.