May 17, 2023
2 mins read

Europe clears Microsoft, Activision deal

The EU decision came as the UK market regulator last last month announced it was blocking Microsoft’s proposed $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard…reports Asian Lite News

The European Commission on Monday approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition of gaming giant Activision Blizzard by Microsoft for $68.7 billion.

The Commission said in a statement that it has based its decision on hard evidence, and on extensive information and feedback from competitors and customers, including from game developers and distributors as well as cloud game streaming platforms in the EU.

The preliminary investigation found that Microsoft could harm competition in the distribution of console and PC video games, including multi-game subscription services and cloud game streaming services; and in the supply of PC operating systems.

The Commission’s in-depth market investigation indicated that Microsoft would not be able to harm rival consoles and rival multi-game subscription services.

“At the same time, it confirmed that Microsoft could harm competition in the distribution of games via cloud game streaming services and that its position in the market for PC operating systems would be strengthened,” said the Commission.

The EU decision came as the UK market regulator last last month announced it was blocking Microsoft’s proposed $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the developer behind hugely-popular Call of Duty (CoD) franchise.

The European Commission found that Microsoft would have no incentive to refuse to distribute Activision’s games to Sony, which is the leading distributor of console games worldwide, including in the European Economic Area (aEEA’) where there are four Sony PlayStation consoles for every Microsoft Xbox console bought by gamers.

“Indeed, Microsoft would have strong incentives to continue distributing Activision’s games via a device as popular as Sony’s PlayStation,” it said.

If Microsoft made Activision’s games exclusive to its own cloud game streaming service, Microsoft could also strengthen the position of Windows in the market for PC operating systems.

“This could be the case, should Microsoft hinder or degrade the streaming of Activision’s games on PCs using operating systems other than Windows,” read the decision.

Microsoft entered into a $68.7 billion deal to buy Activision, one of the most popular video games publishers in the world, in January 2022.

ALSO READ: UAE remains preferred choice for maritime investments

Previous Story

India’s Vital Role in G7 Summits

Next Story

Experion Technologies widens global footprint

Latest from -Top News

Pakistan’s Shadow War in Balochistan

At least 50 killed by Pakistan-backed death squads in Balochistan in April, says HRCB — toll expected to rise in May….reports Asian Lite News The Human Rights Council of Balochistan (HRCB) reported

Russia, Ukraine Resume Talks

The upcoming talks follow a significant hiatus in diplomatic engagement between the two nations, which have been locked in a brutal conflict since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 Russia and

UN Pays Tribute to Indian Soldiers

Thursday was observed as the 77th UN Peacekeepers Day, honouring the work of 61,353 peacekeepers, of whom 5,375 hailed from India….reports Asian Lite News Brigadier Amitabh Jha and Havildar Sanjay Singh, who

Modi’s New Warfare Playbook

Modi has upended the old playbook and India and Pakistan are entering dangerous new territory where nuclear deterrence is no longer a guarantee against conventional conflict…writes Collins Chong Yew Keat The India-Pakistan
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Turkey preparing to host Putin in August

One of the key issues expected on the agenda is

Microsoft Teams suffers mega outage

There were reports of Teams users not being able to