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A couple of years ago, Microsoft announced plans to acquire Activision Blizzard, which is one of the largest video game publishers in the world. Microsoft is no slouch either, being one of the biggest tech companies in the world as well. So, as you can expect, the deal was placed under a microscope. However, it looks like the FTC has decided to back off and is dropping its case against Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard deal.
FTC drops its case
According to the FTC filing, the government agency says, “The Commission has determined that the public interest is best served by dismissing the administrative litigation in this case. Accordingly, it is hereby ordered that the Complaint in this matter be, and it hereby is, dismissed by the Commission.”
This means that Microsoft no longer needs to worry about the Activision Blizzard deal being blocked by the FTC, at least as far as the US is concerned.
Microsoft has also released its own statement. Microsoft vice chair and president Brad Smith said, “Today’s decision is a victory for players across the country and for common sense in Washington, DC. We are grateful to the FTC for today’s announcement.”
Microsoft faced some roadblocks when it tried to acquire Activision Blizzard in an eye-watering $68.7 billion deal. However, it prevailed. In 2023, it successfully beat the FTC’s request for an injunction against the deal. Microsoft’s rival in the console space, Sony, also opposed the deal.
The deal also faced scrutiny in the UK by the country’s regulators. However, it later gave the deal a greenlight.
Who is Activision Blizzard?
If you have been playing video games long enough, Activision and Blizzard are two companies you’re familiar with. Activision is the publisher behind major triple-A titles such as Call of Duty. Blizzard, on the other hand, is best known for its Warcraft, Diablo, and StarCraft series.
Both companies originally existed as separate entities. However, in 2008, both companies merged to form a new entity—Activision Blizzard. Microsoft then later announced plans to acquire the company in 2022 in a deal worth $68.7 billion.
This article first appeared on Android Headlines
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