https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/microsoft-activision-deal-uk-watchdog-probe-151752876.html
The deal is facing a turning point, especially if other European regulators will follow suit (really likely given their past history with Microsoft.
The part about "remedies" is interesting, it seems like Microsoft will be forced to agree to concede things if they want this to go through.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said that Microsoft had five days to propose remedies, making it the first global antitrust regulator to sound the alarm over the transaction.
The watchdog is concerned that if the deal is completed, it could substantially lessen competition in gaming consoles, multi-game subscription and cloud gaming services. The CMA also warned that the acquisition could harm rivals by refusing them access to Activision Blizzard games or providing access on worse terms.
Sorcha O’Carroll, senior director of mergers at the CMA, said: “Following our phase one investigation, we are concerned that Microsoft could use its control over popular games like Call Of Duty and World Of Warcraft post-merger to harm rivals, including recent and future rivals in multi-game subscription services and cloud gaming.
“If our current concerns are not addressed, we plan to explore this deal in an in-depth phase two investigation to reach a decision that works in the interests of UK gamers and businesses.”
A phase two investigation can last for more than seven months and raises the prospect that it could be blocked completely.
The deal is facing a turning point, especially if other European regulators will follow suit (really likely given their past history with Microsoft.
The part about "remedies" is interesting, it seems like Microsoft will be forced to agree to concede things if they want this to go through.
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