Activision has a portfolio of some of the most popular, and profitable, video games in the world – The reaction of the chairman of Microsoft
The takeover of the video game company Activision Blizzard by Microsoft, a $68.7 billion mega deal, the European Commission approved on Monday, on the condition that the US tech giant takes corrective action.
The EU found that Microsoft “would have no incentive to refuse to distribute Activision’s games at Sony” and that “even if Microsoft decides to pull Activision games from PlayStation, it would not significantly harm competition in the console market.” But EU regulators, like Britain, found the takeover could hurt competition around the distribution of PC and console games via cloud gaming services.
#EUMergerControl Commission 🇪🇺 clears acquisition of Activision Blizzard 🎮by Microsoft, subject to conditions 👇
🔗➡️https://t.co/qG3D0jNfPo pic.twitter.com/Q3P2miYisH
— EU Competition (@EU_Competition) May 15, 2023
In this context, the Commission announced that Microsoft accepted to take corrective action in the “gold-bearing” sector of cloud gaming (games in the cloud) which were accepted by the competent European authorities. The favorable decision for Microsoft was made possible by the fact that the American company accepted Activision game streaming in any platform.
The green light from the EU’s executive arm is a major victory for Microsoft, as Britain’s top competition authority last month blocked the deal.
“The European Commission has asked Microsoft to automatically license popular Activision Blizzard games to competing cloud gaming services. This will apply globally and enable millions of consumers around the world to play these games on any device they choose.” commented on Twitter the president of Microsoft, Brad Smith.
Activision Blizzard has a portfolio of some of the most popular, and profitable, video games in the world, including Call of Duty and World of Warcraft.
The European Commission has required Microsoft to license popular Activision Blizzard games automatically to competing cloud gaming services. This will apply globally and will empower millions of consumers worldwide to play these games on any device they choose.
— Brad Smith (@BradSmi) May 15, 2023
Source: Skai
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