CMA Approves Microsoft-Activision Deal Following Cloud Gaming Rights Restructuring

On October 13, the U.K. regulatory watchdog U.K.'s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) approved Microsoft Corp's MSFT acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Inc ATVI, excluding Activision Blizzard's non-EEA cloud streaming rights.

The CMA concluded it would preserve competitive prices and better services.

Microsoft won preliminary approval from the CMA in September after restructuring the agreement to transfer cloud gaming rights for current and new Activision Blizzard games to Ubisoft.

In its original investigation, the CMA found that Microsoft already held a strong position concerning cloud gaming and blocked the deal. 

The sale of Activision's cloud streaming rights to Ubisoft will prevent the distribution of important, popular content – including games such as Call of Duty, Overwatch, and World of Warcraft – from coming under the control of Microsoft concerning cloud gaming. 

The restructured deal substantially addressed the CMA's concerns following its original investigation, which concluded earlier this year.  

Microsoft had cut similar deals with Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ: NVDA) and Sony Group Corporation SONY to win support for the acquisition.

The CMA approval concluded a 20-month journey of obtaining regulatory approvals and overcoming legal hurdles in Europe and the U.S. Microsoft, and Activision extended their deal deadline to October 18.

Price Actions: ATVI shares are trading higher by 0.05% at $94.47 premarket on the last check Friday. MSFT shares are down 0.35% at $330.