Microsoft has achieved another significant legal victory against the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in its efforts to finalize the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The FTC's appeal to block Microsoft's monumental $69 billion deal was denied by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, solidifying the acquisition that was originally announced in late 2022 (via Reuters). This decision by a three-judge panel effectively concluded the FTC's challenge to the July 2023 decision that permitted Microsoft to proceed with the purchase.
The acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft has been under intense scrutiny for over three years. Initially, several U.S. Senators voiced opposition to the transaction, citing concerns over the increasing consolidation within the tech industry as Microsoft expanded its portfolio. The gaming community and competitors expressed worries that major franchises like Call of Duty might become exclusive to Xbox platforms. However, Microsoft alleviated these fears by confirming that it had no plans to restrict popular franchises with extended exclusivity deals.
Every Video Game Franchise Xbox Owns After Acquiring Activision Blizzard
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Despite ongoing challenges throughout 2023, Microsoft successfully completed its acquisition of Activision Blizzard in October of that year. The FTC's appeal posed a potential obstacle to the seamless continuation of operations, but with the appeal's dismissal, it appears that the FTC's efforts have come to an end.
For a comprehensive timeline detailing Microsoft's journey to finalize the Activision Blizzard acquisition, you can click here.
