FTC Demands Halt to Microsoft and Activision Merger!

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of the United States has filed a lawsuit against Microsoft to temporarily halt the acquisition deal with Activision Blizzard. The FTC expressed concerns that Microsoft might close the deal before the scheduled hearings on August 2. The regulatory body requested a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to prevent the final agreement before the hearings. If the deal goes through before the hearings, it could be challenging to reverse.

The FTC’s decision may accelerate Microsoft’s appeal to the UK Competition and Markets Authority, which has blocked the deal. In May, the European Union approved the deal, but the FTC raised concerns about antitrust issues related to competition in cloud gaming.

Microsoft President Brad Smith welcomes the opportunity to present their case in federal court. Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick sees the FTC’s actions as a positive development in the merger process and is confident in the company’s legal team’s readiness for this step.

For the gaming audience, it’s important to note that the deal between Microsoft and Activision Blizzard could lead to significant changes in the gaming industry, as Activision Blizzard is one of the world’s largest game publishers.