Microsoft's Bid to Delay Gamer Lawsuit Denied by Judge

A court has rejected Microsoft's attempt to halt a lawsuit filed by gamers that could potentially thwart its acquisition of Activision Blizzard. According to Stephen Totilo of Axios, Microsoft had sought to postpone the case until after the resolution of its separate FTC lawsuit. The preliminary hearing for this suit is now set to proceed as planned on March 23. The lawsuit, which aims to prevent the acquisition, was filed in December 2022 by Alioto Law Firm and the Joseph Saveri Law Firm on behalf of their clients. The plaintiffs argue that Activision Blizzard is a significant competitor in the industry, demonstrating its ability to compete in new markets, and that allowing the acquisition to proceed could result in the loss of this competition. A recent filing suggests that if the merger is completed before the plaintiffs' claims are addressed, the lawsuit may escalate into a class action suit. For the latest updates on the regulatory challenges facing Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, refer to our comprehensive guide.