Microsoft Activision deal could reduce competition, UK watchdog says
Microsoft Activision deal could reduce competition, UK watchdog says
Source d e image, Getty Im ages
Microsoft's plan to buy Activision Blizzard could significantly reduce competition in consoles, multi-subscription services games and game streaming, a UK watchdog has said. $7 billion (£59.2 billion).
But the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) says its concerns mean that it could now conduct a full investigation.
Microsoft said it was ready to work with the CMA on "next steps".
If the deal is successful, it will be the biggest acquisition ever for the manufacturer of Xbox.
< p class="ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00">Activision Blizzard games are among the most popular in the world. But she has previously been accused of enabling a toxic and sexist culture in the workplace.
In its ruling, the CMA said it feared that if Microsoft bought Activision Blizzard it could hurt its rivals, "by denying them access to Activision Blizzard games or offering them access on much worse terms".
Sorcha O'Carroll, senior director of mergers at CMA, said: "Microsoft could use its control over popular games like Call of Duty and World of Warcraft post-merger to hurt rivals.
Microsoft's plan to buy Activision Blizzard could significantly reduce competition in consoles, multi-subscription services games and game streaming, a UK watchdog has said. $7 billion (£59.2 billion).
But the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) says its concerns mean that it could now conduct a full investigation.
Microsoft said it was ready to work with the CMA on "next steps".
If the deal is successful, it will be the biggest acquisition ever for the manufacturer of Xbox.
< p class="ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00">Activision Blizzard games are among the most popular in the world. But she has previously been accused of enabling a toxic and sexist culture in the workplace.
In its ruling, the CMA said it feared that if Microsoft bought Activision Blizzard it could hurt its rivals, "by denying them access to Activision Blizzard games or offering them access on much worse terms".
Sorcha O'Carroll, senior director of mergers at CMA, said: "Microsoft could use its control over popular games like Call of Duty and World of Warcraft post-merger to hurt rivals.
Source d e image, Getty Im ages
