Microsoft submits new Activision Blizzard argument to UK's CMA

Microsoft has filed a new change of circumstances document with the CMA, calling for the regulator to consider its Call of Duty deal with Sony and more.

Tom West

Published 31 Jul 2023

Following the FTC's failed injunction against Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, UK regulator the Competition and Markets Authority said that it was "ready to consider any proposals from Microsoft to restructure the transaction." Microsoft has now submitted its argument for the Activision Blizzard deal, asking the regulator to consider the numerous cloud gaming deals it's made, the recent Call of Duty deal with Sony, and more.

Microsoft attempts to get the CMA to reconsider the Activision Blizzard deal

microsoft activision blizzard cma xbox cloud gaming

With the European Union and many other regulators approving the Activision Blizzard deal earlier this year and Microsoft's recent win against the US' FTC, the UK's CMA is still a major hurdle Microsoft needs to overcome to get the $69 billion Activision Blizzard deal across the line.

As reported by The Verge, Microsoft has now filed its changes of circumstances document with the UK regulator in the hope that it will reconsider its decision to block the acquisition. The CMA's main concern was how Microsoft could dominate the growing cloud gaming market — a concern shared with the European Commission. In Microsoft's heavily redacted new document, the company has argued that the CMA should consider the swathe of cloud gaming deals it has made with the likes of Nvidia, EE, and others, as well as its recent Call of Duty deal with Sony. Microsoft also believes that the details from the recent FTC lawsuit "undermines" the CMA's original conclusions.

Microsoft's rivals now have until August 4 to comment on the final proposal, which we're yet to know the details of, and the CMA is expected to make a final decision by August 29.

Hasbro recently said that it hopes that Microsoft will search Activision's archives for the delisted Transformers games following the acquisition, as "it's an easy Game Pass add."

Industry News

Written by Tom West

Tom has been playing video games since he was old enough to hold a controller, experimenting with a number of systems until he eventually fell in love with Xbox. With a passion for the platform, he decided to make a career out of it, and now happily spends his days writing about that which he loves. If he’s not hunting for Xbox achievements, you’ll likely find him somewhere in The Elder Scrolls Online or fighting for survival in Battlefield.