Microsoft completed its purchase of video game-maker Activision Blizzard for $69 billion on Friday, closing one of the most expensive tech acquisitions in history that could have repercussions across the video game industry.
The Activision Blizzard logo is seen with a Microsoft logo in the background in this photo illustration on 13 July, 2023 in Warsaw, Poland.
It still faces opposition from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, which has argued that Microsoft could use the consolidation of a major game publisher to create "walled gardens" around its Xbox Game Pass subscription service and the emerging business of streaming games on demand. But after losing a court fight to pause the merger, FTC antitrust enforcers must now undertake a difficult battle to try to unwind it.
He shared a video celebrating the merger, featuring scenes from games to the tune of "Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin'" from the Broadway musical "Oklahoma!" The deal faced its strongest resistance from British and American regulators. Sony also feared it would limit PlayStation gamers’ access to Call of Duty, Activision’s long-running military shooter series.
The U.K. regulator "deserves credit for imposing a structural remedy on Microsoft that is significantly stronger than the weak commitments accepted by the European Commission," said Max von Thun, director of the Europe office of the Open Markets Institute, a proponent of stronger antitrust enforcement.Up until now, computer-maker Dell held the record for the priciest tech deal after it bought data-storage company EMC in 2016 for around $60 billion.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Microsoft closes deal to buy Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard after antitrust fightsMicrosoft has completed its acquisition of video game maker Activision Blizzard for $69 billion, closing one of the most expensive tech acquisitions in history.
Read more »
Microsoft closes deal to buy Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard after antitrust fightsMicrosoft has completed its acquisition of video game-maker Activision Blizzard for $69 billion, closing one of the most expensive tech acquisitions in history.
Read more »
Microsoft closes deal to buy Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard after antitrust fightsMicrosoft, which is based in Redmond, Washington, said it followed IRS rules and will appeal the decision within the agency.
Read more »
Microsoft closes deal to buy Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard after antitrust fightsMicrosoft, which is based in Redmond, Washington, said it followed IRS rules and will appeal the decision within the agency.
Read more »
Microsoft closes $69 billion deal to buy Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard after antitrust fightsThe nearly 22 months it took to close the deal reflected concerns from rivals and government regulators that Microsoft could use its growing collection of games to lessen competition.
Read more »
Microsoft closes deal to buy Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard after antitrust fightsMicrosoft has completed its purchase of video game maker Activision Blizzard for $69 billion, closing one of the most expensive tech acquisitions in history that could have repercussions across the video game industry.
Read more »