Six UK Game Developers, Including 4J Studios, Support Microsoft's Acquisition of Activision Blizzard

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority has released responses to its preliminary findings on Microsoft's proposed $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The regulator believes the deal poses a competitive risk and has urged Microsoft to provide remedies. Microsoft has proposed behavioural remedies, including making Call of Duty available on multiple platforms for the next decade, while the regulator prefers structural remedies, such as divesting the Call of Duty IP. Six third-party developers and publishers in the UK, including 4J Studios, have expressed support for the deal, citing the need for increased competition and improved working conditions for Activision employees. 4J Studios' CEO, Chris van der Kuyl, noted that Microsoft's ownership of Minecraft has not led to pressure to favour Microsoft-owned formats, and instead has brought stability and fairness to their commercial relationships.