Playing the Regulator Game: Microsoft Strikes Nware Deal to Woo Skeptical European Officials Over Activision Acquisition

Microsoft Corp MSFT President Brad Smith tweeted that European cloud gaming platform Nware inked a 10-year agreement to stream PC games built by Xbox on Nware's platform.

The deal also includes rights to stream Activision Blizzard, Inc's ATVI titles on Nware's platform after the acquisition closes.

Microsoft aims to end the regulatory opposition against its Activision deal by the agreement.

Earlier, Microsoft forged similar deals with Nvidia Corp NVDA, Nintendo Co, Ltd NTDOF NTDOY, and Boosteroid.

This week the U.K. competition watchdog Competition and Markets Authority opposed Microsoft's proposed purchase of Activision over concerns that the deal would alter the future of the fast-growing cloud gaming market, leading to reduced innovation and fewer choices for U.K. gamers over the years to come.

The CMA launched an in-depth review of the deal in September 2022. In February 2023, the CMA provisionally found that the merger could strengthen Microsoft in cloud gaming, stifling competition in this growing market.

Price Action: ATVI shares traded lower by 0.17% at $304.30 premarket on the last check Friday.