Microsoft-Activision Deal Likely to Reach Final Decision in EU by May 15

Microsoft-Activision Deal Likely to Reach Final Decision in EU by May 15

EU antitrust regulators are set to approve Microsoft‘s $69 billion (nearly Rs. 5,65,480 crore) acquisition of Activision next week, with May 15 as the likeliest date, people familiar with the matter said. The European Commission’s imminent clearance comes nearly three weeks after the UK competition authority blocked the deal, the…

‘I’m Upset With Myself’: Xbox Chief Phil Spencer Takes ‘Full Responsibility’ for Redfall Debacle

‘I’m Upset With Myself’: Xbox Chief Phil Spencer Takes ‘Full Responsibility’ for Redfall Debacle

It has been a tough few days for Microsoft and Xbox. First, the firm’s ambitious and expensive attempt to acquire Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard hit a major hurdle when Britain’s competition regulator blocked the $69 billion (roughly Rs. 5,63,980 crore) deal on April 26, citing cloud gaming concerns….

Here’s What Microsoft Can Do in $69 Billion Activision Deal After UK Ban

Here’s What Microsoft Can Do in $69 Billion Activision Deal After UK Ban

Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) on Wednesday blocked Microsoft’s $69 billion (nearly Rs. 5,64,100 crore) acquisition of Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard over concerns it would hinder cloud gaming. The ruling was a shock after the regulator had already resolved its concerns about the consoles market, a sector dominated…

Microsoft Signs 10-Year Deal With Nware After UK Blocks Activision Acquisition

Microsoft Signs 10-Year Deal With Nware After UK Blocks Activision Acquisition

Microsoft said on Friday it signed a 10-year deal with Nware to bring Xbox and Activision Blizzard games to the Spanish cloud-gaming platform, days after Britain blocked its $69 billion (nearly Rs. 5,64,200 crore) buyout of the Call of Duty maker. The agreement marks the latest effort by Microsoft to…

Microsoft Hits Back at UK Regulator’s Decision to Block Activision Acquisition

Microsoft Hits Back at UK Regulator’s Decision to Block Activision Acquisition

Microsoft’s president Brad Smith said the UK regulator’s decision to prevent its acquisition of Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard “had shaken confidence” in Britain as a destination for tech businesses. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which operates independently from government, blocked the deal on Wednesday, saying it could…

Microsoft’s Licensing Offer Said to Likely Satisfy EU on Activision Deal

Microsoft’s Licensing Offer Said to Likely Satisfy EU on Activision Deal

Microsoft’s offer of licensing deals to rivals is likely to address EU antitrust concerns over its $69 billion (nearly Rs. 5,68,000 crore) acquisition of Activision, three people familiar with the matter said, helping it to clear a major hurdle. Microsoft announced the Activision bid in January last year, its biggest ever,…

Call of Duty Maker Activision Blizzard Accused of Firing Employees for Using Strong Language

Call of Duty Maker Activision Blizzard Accused of Firing Employees for Using Strong Language

Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard has been accused by a union of illegally firing two video game testers for using “strong language” in a protest of a new company policy that limits remote work. The Communication Workers of America (CWA) said it filed a complaint with the US National Labor Relations Board…

Microsoft Seeks to Push Activision Deal at EU Hearing for Market Competition

Microsoft Seeks to Push Activision Deal at EU Hearing for Market Competition

Microsoft President Brad Smith on Tuesday will seek to convince EU antitrust regulators at a closed hearing that the US software giant’s $69 billion (nearly Rs. 5,71,800 crore) bid for Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard will boost competition. Smith will lead a delegation of 18 senior executives, including Microsoft Gaming Chief…

PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan Met EU’s Antitrust Chief to Discuss Microsoft’s Activision Deal

PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan Met EU’s Antitrust Chief to Discuss Microsoft’s Activision Deal

Sony’s gaming chief Jim Ryan met EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager on Wednesday to discuss Microsoft’s $69 billion (about Rs. 5,62,647 crore) bid for Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard, a person familiar with the matter said on Thursday. The meeting came as the EU competition watchdog prepares to warn…

Microsoft Activision Takeover: No ‘Substantive’ Settlement Talks With US FTC, Lawyer Says

Microsoft Activision Takeover: No ‘Substantive’ Settlement Talks With US FTC, Lawyer Says

There are no “substantive” settlement discussions under way between US President Joe Biden’s administration and Microsoft to resolve a legal dispute over the Xbox maker’s $69 billion (roughly Rs. 5,71,900 crore) bid for games maker Activision Blizzard, a Federal Trade Commission attorney said on Tuesday. The FTC, which enforces antitrust law, asked a…