Deal to merge Microsoft with Activision Blizzard approved by British regulators Border.
Regulators in the United Kingdom have granted clearance for Microsoft to merge with Activision Blizzard, the world’s leading game publisher by revenue and portfolio. The transaction, valued at 68.7 billion dollars, received the green light from the Competition and Markets Authority after Microsoft committed to transferring cloud streaming rights for Activision titles to Ubisoft of France. This concession was aimed at easing concerns about market concentration in cloud gaming and keeping competition vibrant across the sector.
Microsoft, the owner of the Xbox platform, first announced its plan to acquire Activision Blizzard in January 2022. Activision Blizzard is famed for enduring franchises such as Call of Duty, Diablo, Overwatch and Warcraft, which have shaped console, PC and mobile gaming for years. The approval represents one of the most significant market events in gaming history, potentially reshaping competition dynamics alongside other major players including Sony and Nintendo in the United States, Canada and beyond.
Activision Blizzard’s leadership and staff welcomed the decision, with CEO Bobby Kotick acknowledging the milestone and highlighting the company’s long record of creative work, teamwork, and competitive milestones across its diverse game catalog. The leadership emphasized the value of a smooth integration and the opportunities ahead for both teams and players worldwide.
The anticipated close date is October 13, at which moment Microsoft would assume ownership of the rights to more than 30 Activision Blizzard brands, expanding its publishing reach and development capabilities. The agreement is expected to influence ongoing product strategy, production pipelines, and publishing schedules across multiple regions, including Canada and the United States, where publishers, developers, and retailers watch closely how distribution and licensing might shift in the period after completion.
In the broader context, analysts note that this deal could accelerate innovation in cloud gaming, streaming capabilities and cross-platform experiences, while prompting ongoing scrutiny of market power by regulators and industry observers. With the CMA approval now in place, attention turns to regulatory and operational details that will govern how Activision Blizzard titles are distributed, monetized and serviced across platforms, as well as how intellectual property rights are managed in this evolving landscape. The collaboration is expected to drive new development initiatives, partnerships and consumer experiences that align with evolving gamer expectations and platform strategies, while safeguarding competitive balance across North America and Europe. The industry continues to monitor how this major consolidation will influence game development timelines, merchandising, and fan engagement across multiple brands and communities.
The emergence of new game content, live-service models and evolving distribution approaches remains a central focus for stakeholders as the integration progresses, with ongoing updates anticipated as milestones are reached and collaboration frameworks are finalized. The overall direction aims to preserve player choice, maintain robust competition, and sustain a healthy ecosystem for publishers, developers and retailers throughout the Americas and beyond.