Microsoft Deal to Acquire Activision Blizzard Faces Additional Scrutiny From UK Regulator: Report

Microsoft could face a roadblock in its attempt to take over game maker Activision Blizzard due to a UK regulator, according to a new report. The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has reportedly expressed concerns that the the Redmond company’s $69 billion (roughly Rs. 5,49,900 crore) deal to acquire the firm could negatively affect … Read more

Microsoft’s Incentives to Block Rivals After Activision Deal Probed by EU Regulators: Details

EU antitrust regulators are asking games developers whether Microsoft will be incentivised to block rivals’ access to Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard’s best-selling games, according to an EU document seen by Reuters. EU antitrust regulators are due to make a preliminary decision by November 8 on whether to clear Microsoft’s proposed $69 billion (roughly Rs. 5,67,600 crore) acquisition of … Read more

Activision Blizzard Eyes Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 to End Sales Slump as Firm Reports 14 Percent Drop in Q3 Revenue

US video game giant Activision Blizzard, which Microsoft is in the process of buying, on Monday reported lower sales for the fourth straight quarter, but said the success of its latest Call of Duty installment broke records. The group saw its revenue decline in the third quarter by 14 percent to $1.78 billion(roughly Rs. 14,500 … Read more

Microsoft Faces Full EU Antitrust Investigation Into $69 Billion Bid to Acquire Activision Blizzard

Microsoft may have to offer concessions to address EU antitrust concerns about its $69 billion (roughly Rs. 5,62,500 crore) bid for Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard after regulators opened a full-scale investigation on Tuesday and warned about the impact of the deal. The US software company, which announced the deal in January, is betting … Read more

Microsoft Could Face FTC Antitrust Lawsuit to Block Activision Blizzard Takeover Bid: Report

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is likely to file an antitrust lawsuit to block Microsofts $69 billion (roughly Rs. 5,63,500 crore) takeover bid for video game publisher Activision Blizzard, Politico reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter. A lawsuit challenging the deal is not guaranteed, and the FTC’s four commissioners have yet to vote out … Read more

Microsoft Activision Deal: Firm Said to Offer EU Concessions Soon to Secure Early Clearance

Microsoft is likely to offer remedies to EU antitrust regulators in the coming weeks to stave off formal objections to its $69 billion (roughly Rs. 56,350 crore) bid for Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard, people familiar with the matter said. The US software giant and Xbox maker announced the deal in January to help it compete … Read more

Microsoft Activision Deal: US FTC Sues to Block $69 Billion Takeover Deal Over Competition Concerns

The Biden administration on Thursday moved to block Microsoft’s $69 billion (roughly Rs. 5,66,800 crore) bid to buy Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard, throwing a stumbling block in front of the tech giant’s plans to rapidly expand its portfolio of popular games and catch up to bigger rivals. Microsoft, which owns the Xbox console … Read more

Microsoft Activision Deal: Firm Offered to Agree to FTC Consent Decree on Call of Duty Games for Rivals

Microsoft President Brad Smith said on Tuesday the company had offered to agree to a legally-binding consent decree with the US Federal Trade Commission to provide Call of Duty games to rivals including Sony and others for a decade. The development comes as Microsoft is seeking approval for its $69-billion (roughly Rs. 5,66,800 crore) takeover … Read more

Microsoft Sued by Video Gamers Claiming Its Activision Takeover Deal Will Stifle Competition

Microsoft was hit on Tuesday in US court with a private consumer lawsuit claiming the technology company’s $69 billion (roughly Rs. 5,71,200 crore) bid to purchase Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard will unlawfully squelch competition in the video game industry. The complaint filed in federal court in California comes about two weeks after the … Read more

PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan Met EU’s Antitrust Chief to Discuss Microsoft’s Activision Deal

Sony’s gaming chief Jim Ryan met EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager on Wednesday to discuss Microsoft’s $69 billion (about Rs. 5,62,647 crore) bid for Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard, a person familiar with the matter said on Thursday. The meeting came as the EU competition watchdog prepares to warn Microsoft this week about the … Read more