Saturday, June 14, 2025
THE ESPORTS ADVOCATE
No Result
View All Result
  • Money
  • People
  • Brands
  • Events & Tournaments
  • Entertainment
THE ESPORTS ADVOCATE

Competition and Markets Authority Gives Provisional Approval of Microsoft-Activision Blizzard Deal

Selling cloud gaming rights to Ubisoft Entertainment quells concerns about deal with UK regulator.

James FudgebyJames Fudge
September 22, 2023
in Call of Duty, Halo, Money, Overwatch 2, Politics
Reading Time: 2 mins read
CMA approves Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard

Credit: CMA/Activision Blizzard

UK government regulator the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced Friday that it has given provisional approval to Microsoft’s proposed $69B USD acquisition of Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard. On Aug. 22, the agency announced that it would consider a proposal by Microsoft that would see the company divest the cloud streaming rights to all current and future Activision Blizzard titles for the next 15 years to France-based game maker and publisher Ubisoft Entertainment. Concerns over the impact of the deal on cloud-based game streaming were the main reason the CMA rejected the deal earlier this year.

The company said, in part:

“The CMA considers that the restructured deal makes important changes that substantially address the concerns it set out in relation to the original transaction earlier this year.

“In particular, the sale of Activision’s cloud streaming rights to Ubisoft will prevent this important content – including games such as Call of Duty, Overwatch, and World of Warcraft – from coming under the control of Microsoft in relation to cloud gaming. The CMA originally found that Microsoft already has a strong position in cloud gaming services and could have used its control over Activision content to stifle competition and reinforce this position. The new deal instead results in the cloud streaming rights for Activision’s games being transferred to an independent player, Ubisoft, maintaining open competition as the market for cloud gaming develops over the coming years.”

CMA approval is likely the last hurdle for Microsoft in finalizing its deal with Activision Blizzard, as most other jurisdictions have either given approval—or in the case of the Federal Trade Commission in the United States—lost in court.

If the deal does finally get approved by the CMA, it will see esports for multiple titles operating under the Microsoft banner directly or indirectly; this includes Halo, Overwatch League, Call of Duty League, Hearthstone, StarCraft, and World of Warcraft’s regular “World’s First” competitions when new content is released for the long-running MMO.

Tags: AcquisitionsActivision BlizzardCall of DutyCMAOverwatch 2RegulatorsUbisoftUK
TweetShareShareShareShareShareSend
Previous Post

Riot Games Reveals Worlds Unlocked to Celebrate Worlds 2023

Next Post

ICYMI: Monumental Sports & Entertainment Scored an Investment From the Qatar Investment Authority

James Fudge

James Fudge

With a career spanning over two decades in the esports and gaming journalism landscape, James Fudge stands as a seasoned veteran and a pivotal figure in the evolution of esports media. His journey began in 1997 at Game-Wire / Avault, where he curated gaming and community news, laying the groundwork for his expertise in the field. In his more recent roles, James cemented his status as an authority in the esports business sphere as Senior Editor Esports at Sports Business Journal and The Esports Observer between 2018 and 2021.

The Esports Advocate

The Esports Advocate, your premier destination for in-depth and authoritative coverage of the esports business and finance landscape created to empower esports stakeholders with the knowledge and information needed to do business in the world of esports successfully.

Follow Us

  • About TEA
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Statement
  • Subscribe to our Newsletter
  • Our Mission Statement
  • Contact Us

© 2023 - 2024 The Esports Advocate. All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Money
  • People
  • Brands
  • Entertainment
  • About TEA

© 2023 - 2024 The Esports Advocate. All rights reserved.