FTC Fails to Block Microsoft's Activision Blizzard Deal

Microsoft has achieved another significant win against the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in its efforts to finalize the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco denied the FTC's appeal to halt Microsoft's monumental $69 billion deal, as reported by Reuters. This decision, made by a three-judge panel, has effectively concluded the FTC's challenge to the July 2023 ruling that permitted Microsoft to move forward with the acquisition, which was initially announced in late 2022.

The acquisition has been under intense scrutiny for over three years, with several U.S. Senators initially opposing the deal due to concerns about the increasing consolidation within the tech industry. As Microsoft expanded its portfolio, fears arose among competitors and gamers that popular franchises like Call of Duty might become exclusive to Xbox platforms. However, Microsoft reassured the public that it had no plans to restrict certain franchises with extended exclusivity periods.

Every Video Game Franchise Xbox Owns After Acquiring Activision Blizzard

View 70 ImagesDespite ongoing challenges throughout 2023, Microsoft successfully completed its acquisition of Activision Blizzard in October of the same year. The FTC's appeal represented a potential final hurdle, but with its rejection, the regulatory challenge appears to have come to an end.

For a comprehensive timeline of Microsoft's journey to finalize the Activision Blizzard acquisition, you can click here.