FTC Fails to Block Microsoft's Activision Blizzard Acquisition

Microsoft has once again triumphed over the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in its efforts to complete its monumental $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The FTC's latest attempt to halt the deal was rejected by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, paving the way for Microsoft to move forward with the purchase that was initially announced in late 2022, as reported by Reuters. A unanimous decision by a three-judge panel put an end to the FTC's challenge against the July 2023 ruling that permitted Microsoft to finalize its acquisition.

The acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft has been under intense scrutiny for over three years. Some U.S. Senators were among the earliest to voice opposition, citing concerns over the increasing consolidation within the tech industry as Microsoft expanded its portfolio with major acquisitions. Both competitors and gamers expressed worries that the deal could lead to popular franchises like Call of Duty being exclusive to Microsoft platforms. However, Microsoft reassured stakeholders that it had no plans to restrict certain franchises to lengthy exclusivity periods.

Every Video Game Franchise Xbox Owns After Acquiring Activision Blizzard

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Despite ongoing challenges throughout 2023, Microsoft successfully completed its acquisition of Activision Blizzard in October. The FTC's appeal represented a potential final obstacle to business as usual, but with its rejection, the regulatory battle appears to be concluded.

For a detailed timeline of Microsoft's journey to finalize its acquisition of Activision Blizzard, you can click here.