Microsoft steps up efforts to convince regulators to greenlight £57bn acquisition of video game maker Activision Blizzard
Microsoft has stepped up its efforts to convince regulators to give the green light to its £57 billion acquisition of video game maker Activision Blizzard.
The American software giant, owner of the Xbox gaming console, has made new commitments to the European Union to allay fears of competition.
Blockbuster: Call Of Duty is Activision’s biggest hit
Regulators around the world – including in the UK – are concerned rivals will be denied access to Activision games like Call Of Duty if the deal goes through.
The Competition and Markets Authority suggested last month that Microsoft may need to sell Call Of Duty for the acquisition to go ahead. Microsoft president Brad Smith has insisted this would be a deal breaker.
But he has promised to give rivals such as Nintendo and Playstation owner Sony access to games, including Call Of Duty.
And this week, Microsoft sent its final commitments to Brussels, saying: “We have delivered on our promise to bring Call Of Duty to more gamers on more devices by entering into agreements to bring the game to the Nintendo console and cloud game streaming services. “