Revised Microsoft and Activision Blizzard Deal Unlikely to Face Further EU Scrutiny

According to recent reports, the European Commission is not expected to launch a further investigation into Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, following adjustments made by the company to satisfy the UK's Competition and Markets Authority. Sources indicate that these modifications, which include the sale of streaming rights for Activision Blizzard's games to Ubisoft, have alleviated the Commission's concerns. The $68.7 billion deal was initially approved by the EU but faced opposition from the UK's regulatory body, primarily due to concerns over Microsoft's dominance in cloud gaming. After addressing these concerns, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority provisionally approved the revised deal, with the European Commission now unlikely to demand additional scrutiny. The Commission had sought feedback on the revised acquisition but reportedly found no significant objections to warrant further investigation. With provisional approval in place in the UK, Microsoft awaits a final decision to complete the transaction, which was initially planned for completion by the next day. If the deal is not finalized by October 18, Microsoft will be required to pay a $4.5 billion fee to Activision Blizzard and renegotiate the terms.