Microsoft’s purchase of Activision Blizzard has been cleared by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). It was the final hurdle for the $68.7 billion multi-million dollar operation, and sure enough the most important of the whole century in the big video game market.

The CMA’s OK ends a 20-month approval process and regulatory battles, and Microsoft finally has a clear path to purchase once other regulators from the EU, China or Japan do the same. US courts that crippled the FCC-imposed blockade, leaving it with few options to fight back against Microsoft.

Let’s say that the CMA’s approval came after the changes imposed on Microsoft in the original agreement and specifically in transfer to Ubisoft cloud gaming rights for current and future Activision Blizzard games.

“The CMA has decided to grant Microsoft Corporation its consent to acquire the Activision Blizzard, Inc. group. except for Activision’s cloud streaming rights outside of the European Economic Area and provided that the sale of such rights is completed prior to the completion of the merger. »you can read in the CMA statement.

We cleared a new deal for Microsoft to buy Activision without cloud gaming rights.

In August, Microsoft made a concession whereby Ubisoft would buy the rights to Activision’s cloud games instead of Microsoft.

Read more: https://t.co/Z4scLEJFy0

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— Competition and Markets Authority (@CMAgovUK) October 13, 2023

The CMA describes the Microsoft concession (sale of rights to Ubisoft) as a “a game changer that will boost competition” in the growing cloud gaming market. “By selling Activision’s cloud streaming rights to Ubisoft, we made it happen Microsoft may not have a stranglehold on this important, fast-growing market.«says Sarah Cardell, CMA’s executive director.

“As cloud gaming grows, this intervention will ensure people get more competitive prices, better service and more options. “We are the only competition agency in the world to achieve this result.”. says Cardell, though we must remember that In the same respect, the EU regulator won concessions from Microsoft and EU consumers will be able to stream all current and future Activision Blizzard licensed PC and console games through any cloud gaming service of their choice.

These were not the only moves. Microsoft had to “relax” the terms of the deal as competitors in the video game market mounted complaints, forcing regulators around the world to file lawsuits to stop the purchase. Microsoft thus unilaterally extended the license agreement for Call of Duty for three years and promised to keep the franchise on Steam. They also proposed a long-term contract (10 years) for Nintendo and Sony to use it.

Activision Blizzard: Microsoft takes it for granted

Microsoft president Brad Smith says the company welcomes the CMA’s decision. «We have passed the last regulatory hurdle to close this acquisition, which we believe will benefit players and the gaming industry worldwide.

Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick also takes it for granted and sent out an email to all employees announcing the news. “We now have all the necessary regulatory approvals to close and look forward to bringing joy and connection to even more players around the world”Kotick said. “We are excited about our next chapter together with Microsoft and the endless possibilities it creates for you and our players”.

All indications are that the operation could be completed today, October 13, preventing Microsoft from having to pay additional compensation to Activision Blizzard for successive delays. We have doubts whether the explicit consent of the most important regulator, the American FCC, would be needed, but in practice We do not believe it has the capacity to continue the blockade as soon as the above judgment of the court is known.

And you think?

The case involves many publishers, and in our editorial team, supporters and opponents are almost evenly distributed. You already know my personal opinion. This type of merger, which concentrates so much power in the same hands, never they will never benefit consumers. And that’s true in this case, as it was in another of the big operations that – thankfully – was blocked, NVIDIA’s purchase of ARM. There are dozens of examples of this type of large concentration. Look at Facebook’s purchase of WhatsApp and Instagram, which ultimately turned the current Meta into a behemoth.