Forgot password
Enter the email address you used when you joined and we'll send you instructions to reset your password.
If you used Apple or Google to create your account, this process will create a password for your existing account.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Reset password instructions sent. If you have an account with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or contact support if the problem persists.
two large, blue stage curtains with activision blizzard written across them
Photo via Activision Blizzard

Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard deal finally gets green light from UK regulators

At last.

Microsoft has been given the green light to acquire Activision Blizzard by the U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority today, Oct. 13.

Recommended Videos

In August, Microsoft cut a new deal that would see Ubisoft purchase Activision’s cloud gaming rights. This trick put all of Activision’s PC and console content in the hands of Ubisoft, and it was enough to convince the U.K. government to finally seal the deal.

“As a result of this concession, the CMA agreed to look afresh at the deal and launched a new investigation in August. That investigation has completed today with the CMA clearing this narrower transaction,” the U.K’s Competition and Markets Authority said.

This was pivotal as it blocked Microsoft from completely dominating the competition in cloud gaming, which was one of the main reasons the U.K. government didn’t want to proceed with the deal in the first place. “The new deal will stop Microsoft from locking up competition in cloud gaming as this market takes off, preserving competitive prices and services for UK cloud gaming customers,” the CMA said. With the cloud gaming services acquired by Ubisoft, the competition should still remain healthy enough to allow the deal to come through.

Brad Smith, the vice chair and president of Microsoft, didn’t hide his excitement on social media following the CMA’s review. “We have now crossed the final regulatory hurdle to close this acquisition, which we believe will benefit players and the gaming industry worldwide,” he said.

The buyout was originally blocked by the CMA in April 2023 over cloud gaming concerns. The main fear was it would “damage competition in the cloud gaming market.” In August, however, Microsoft made a streaming deal with Ubisoft that would see Activision Blizzard’s games added to the Ubisoft+ service.


Dot Esports is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
Author
Image of Mateusz Miter
Mateusz Miter
Staff Writer
Freelance Writer at Dot Esports. Mateusz previously worked for numerous outlets and gaming-adjacent companies, including ESL. League of Legends or CS:GO? He loves them both. In fact, he wonders which game he loves more every day. He wanted to go pro years ago, but somewhere along the way decided journalism was the more sensible option—and he was right.