After a period of five months, the investigation has come to an end, and the regulators on behalf of the UK Competition Authority who examined the acquisition of Activision-Blizzard-King by Microsoft, published their findings and conclusions.
Their conclusions were unequivocal: approving the purchase will only lead to higher prices, reduced choices for the player, and less innovation and entrepreneurship in the gaming industry.
Click here to read the report in full.
The discussion mainly revolved around Voice of Duty, and the claim that becoming an exclusive Microsoft title may give it an advantage in the console market and the developing cloud streaming technology.
If the Competition Authority approves the purchase, it intends to do so only if Microsoft Be willing to give up some of Activision's assets (in this case, Call of Duty), or a commitment on its part not to make Call of Duty exclusive to Xbox. A promise that Microsoft already made before the report was published.
The Competition Authority has not yet given the final answer and will be ready to consider additional solutions.
Microsoft has until February 22 to file its counterclaims to allay regulators' concerns.
From the report of the findings of the Competition Authority in Great Britain (photo: screenshot, CMA)
The investigation by the Competition Authority in Great Britain included questioning the selected management at Activision-Blizzard, Microsoft and the competitors, analyzing information from internal documents of the various companies and distributors in the industry, and a survey answered by the gamers themselves.
The US Federal Trade Commission also did not approve the giant deal and last December filed an antitrust lawsuit that is expected to drag Microsoft to court. Executives at Activision-Blizzard and Microsoft have already stated that they are ready to talk with the regulators, or that they will fight for the acquisition if necessary.
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