The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said Thursday that it will file a lawsuit to block Microsoft’s acquisition of $69 billion. of video game Activision Blizzard, citing concerns that the deal would be aborted competition By denying competitors access to popularity gaming content.
said Microsoft, which owns Xbox in January it will be buy Activision for $68.7 billion in the biggest gaming industry deal in history.
The Federal Trade Commission voted 3-1 in favor issue complaining after a closed meeting, with The three Democratic commissioners vote in Saleh and the only Republican vote against. Fifth seat on The panel Another Republican vacancy left earlier this year.
FTC complaint points ex Microsoft game acquisitions, in particular of a favour developer Bethesda Softworks and parent ZeniMax Corporation, for example of where microsoft made some popular game exclusive titles despite reassuring European regulators that it had no intention of doing so.
Microsoft has it already Show that he can and will block content Of which gaming competitors,” said a prepared statement from Holly Vidova, director of FTC office of Competition. Today we seek to prevent Microsoft from gaining control over a leading does not depend on game studio And the using to hurt competition in Dynamic multiplayer and fast-growth gaming markets. “
Microsoft President Brad Smith suggested in Thursday’s statement that the company is likely to challenge at FTC decision.
While we believed in give peace a chancewe own complete Confidence in Our cause We welcome the opportunity to present our case in Smith said.
Federal Trade Commission challenge – which is being raised in Administrative court – it can be a test issue for President Joe Biden’s mandate to audit big tech Mergers.
Microsoft was ahead up that it public defense of Deal in The last days were waiting for a decision.
Microsoft announced merger deal in January but has faced months of Resistance from Sony, making the PlayStation a competitor console And raised concerns with Antitrust watchers about world about the loss access to the popular Activision Blizzard game Franchises such as Call of duty.
Involved in Microsoft and Activision both fell out on news of FTC complaint. Involved in Activision was down 2.3%, or $ 1.78 to $ 74.16, while Microsoft down From earlier hikes but still up 1% for Today to $246.78.
Antitrust regulators have bet on the Biden era out The view that for decades of consolidation policy William Kovacic, a former chair of Federal Trade Commission.
The goal is “no.” allow dodgy deals and not accepting weak compromises,” Kovacic said, who He was a Republican commissioner appointee in 2006 by then President George W. Bush. But he said that trying to prevent this acquisition can trigger Lawful challenge From Microsoft that company has a file good chance of the win
“It was clear that the company was making a number of concessions. If the FTC turns down Microsoft’s obligations, is likely to be lifted by Microsoft in Court and they say the FTC is irredeemably stubborn on this matter.”
Microsoft announced that it latest Wed promised, saying she would make a call of duty available on Nintendo devices for 10 years should get it through. She said she has tried to make the same commitment to Sony.
Deal also under close scrutiny in The European Union and the United Kingdom, where investigations are due to be completed even next year.
