The UK Is Standing In The Way Of Microsoft’s Call Of Duty Deal
The UK government is playing chicken with the Microsoft Activision deal, and now, it's potentially delaying things by dragging its heels.
06th Jan 2023 16:27
Infinity Ward
The UK Is Standing In The Way Of Microsoft’s Call Of Duty Deal
The UK government is playing chicken with the Microsoft Activision deal, and now, it's potentially delaying things by dragging its heels.
06th Jan 2023 16:27
Infinity Ward
The walls are closing on Microsoft's chance to actually get control of Microsoft. Despite agreeing on a figure between themselves and Activision Blizzard King to buy the firm, countless investigations into the merger have put the deal on hold.
Now, dragging your heels could've even jeopardised it completely. One of these investigations comes from the UK's Competition Market's Authority, which has been probing into the competition market both in gaming and the tech industry as a whole.
With fears that haemorrhaging games like Call of Duty from its competitors could lead to monopolisation in gaming, and also in tech where Windows will become much more prominent over Apple etc., the deal could yet be cancelled.
The UK Government Delay Microsoft Investigation Verdict For Eight Weeks
According to GamesIndustry.biz, the CMA has been deliberating over the deal since launching an investigation back in November.
After setting a deadline of March 1 for the investigation to be wrapped up, it now appears that the CMA has extended their verdict date by eight weeks.
On January 5, The CMA published a statement in which it announced that the final report on Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard will now be voiced on April 26.
The CMA's announcement does explain that there is an opportunity for this verdict to be published ahead of the proposed schedule, but this will serve as a final deadline to rule on the Microsoft merger.
Microsoft Set To Ignore FTC's Investigation If UK Rules In Favour Of Acquisition
According to CharlieIntel, the future Call of Duty owners are reportedly awaiting the UK and EU's decision to close their deal, rather than the FTC's in the United States.
That in-the-know Call of Duty insiders claimed that Microsoft would close on the Activision merger regardless of what the FTC says, should the UK and EU both rule in favour of the deal.
The delayed verdict from the UK does mean that it's likely the FTC will also have concluded their investigation by this time too.
If so, the stance won't have too much sway in the matter, although an FTC delay could result in the UK having the most important say on Microsoft's future.
About The Author
Jack Marsh
Jack is an Esports Journalist at GGRecon. Graduating from the University of Chester, with a BA Honours degree in Journalism, Jack is an avid esports enthusiast and specialises in Rocket League, Call of Duty, VALORANT, and trending gaming news.
