Xbox’s Activision takeover has been hit with a new delay by the FTC. That’s the report from the likes of CNN and Reuters. As you know, a deal was struck for Microsoft’s Xbox division to buy Activision/Blizzard. However, rival companies, chiefly Sony, have been against this deal. Many were worried the world’s best selling game, the Call of Duty series would become an Xbox exclusive.
In order to get the deal approved Xbox has had to make certain promises. Namely, that it will continue to release CoD on all consoles. Yet, the deal still isn’t being approved by the FTC and faced a similar, but slightly cringeworthy decision in the U.K.
The only territory so far that has signed off on the merger is the EU. The U.K. blocked the sale based on concerns for how this could monopolize the cloud gaming market. Yet, after the U.K. had made their decision, many firms came out to say this was not a valid reason and that this acquisition could actually help rival cloud gaming providers.
Just like the U.K. to be against something only for the people it’s said to be protecting to request that Blighty does no such thing as they wish no protection. It’s just a British thing I guess.
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The United States FTC has requested a restraining order and preliminary injunction that would prevent Microsoft’s proposed purchase of Activision Blizzard from going through. The FTC actually filed an antitrust lawsuit against Xbox last December over the deal. The FTC is under the impression that the deal could close soon, and is seeking a decision that would prevent that beforehand.
“Both a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction are necessary because Microsoft and Activision have represented that they may consummate the Proposed Acquisition at any time without any further notice to the Commission,” the FTC’s court filing said.
In a statement, Microsoft president Brad Smith revealed an eagerness to get the legal process underway.
“We welcome the opportunity to present our case in federal court,” Smith’s statement reads. “We believe accelerating the legal process in the U.S. will ultimately bring more choice and competition to the market.”
For now it seems Xbox are quite content with going to court regarding this. From there we will see what happens? Is the sale guaranteed at this point, I’m not so sure?
What do you think as Xbox’s Activision takeover has been hit with a new delay by the FTC? Thoughts below as always
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