Microsoft Deal to Acquire Activision Blizzard Given Green Light In UK

The mega deal that would see a merger between software giant, Microsoft, and gaming behemoth, Activision Blizzard has just cleared a critical hurdle in the United Kingdom. The Competition & Markets Authority (or CMA) which is responsible for protecting competitive interests in the UK had initially blocked the deal, but with a new proposal brought before them, they have now relented and given the deal the green light. 

This was after Microsoft agreed that it would not acquire cloud gaming rights for Blizzard games in non-EU markets. This was seen as a sufficient compromise and the CMA has let the deal go through. 

This means that Microsoft can now have the entire Blizzard library available for their Game Pass feature. This will include games such as Call of Duty, Overwatch, Diablo and so on. 

Meanwhile, what does this mean for fighting games? Well, maybe not much. Microsoft is the maker of Killer Instinct which recently got a 10th anniversary update and Bloody Roar, one of the OG fighting games counts Activision as one of its publishers. This merger could potentially mean something for both games, maybe a possible revival especially considering the rennaissance that fighting games are experiencing right now.

With this hurdle cleared, it is expected that the £54 billion merger will go through sooner rather than later. This has prompted fears that it will only lead to a decline in the gaming space as there won't be enough competition with the market being eaten up by one humongous company. This follows reports that Microsoft is unlikely to allow Call of Duty remain on the PlayStation who are their major rivals. 

It will be instructive what Microsoft do moving forward, but it will certainly be exciting if they go back to supporting fighting games.