Microsoft's Acquisition of Activision Blizzard Receives Unconditional Approval from Turkey

Turkey has become the latest country to grant unconditional approval to Microsoft's proposed $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The approval was announced by spokespeople from both companies, with Microsoft's chief communications officer, Frank X. Shaw, stating on Twitter that Turkey's approval brings the total number of countries approving the deal to over three dozen. An Activision Blizzard spokesperson also welcomed the decision, citing its benefits to consumers and competition. The acquisition is nearing completion in the US, following a US District Court judge's denial of a preliminary injunction by the Federal Trade Commission. Although the FTC has filed an appeal, it was denied, paving the way for the deal to proceed. Microsoft has also reached a binding agreement with Sony to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation platforms after the merger, addressing one of the FTC's key concerns. With a deadline of July 18 for the acquisition, Microsoft faces no barriers in the US and has approval in over 30 countries, including the European Union. However, a block in the UK remains in place, although the UK's Competition and Markets Authority is considering new proposals from Microsoft that may address its concerns.