Microsoft's purchase of Activision Blizzard hangs in the balance after being blocked by the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). So the companies are now relying on the European Commission and its verdict to turn their complicated situation around.
According to recent reports, the European Commission has a different stance on the CMA, so it is expected to approve the purchase without further concessions. Moreover, it would do so sooner than expected. This would be great news for Microsoft, but for now nothing is certain.
European Commission would approve the purchase of Activision Blizzard
According to a Reuters report, the European Commission will announce its verdict on the buyout on May 15, a few days before the deadline. Originally, the regulator was expected to issue its verdict on May 22.
The report claims that the regulator is on Microsoft's side because of all the deals it has struck in recent months with various cloud gaming services. Also, because of its deals with Nintendo and Valve regarding Call of Duty.
Thus, Microsoft is expected to receive approval from the European Commission next Monday. With this, it would gain important ground to close the deal. It would still have to appeal before the CMA and deal with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
It is important to remember that there were similar reports before the CMA gave its verdict. Sources claimed that the UK regulator would approve the deal; however, in the end it blocked it. We will have to wait a little longer to find out what happens with this important deal.
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