Last week, the British regulator CMA blocked the merger between Microsoft and Activision Blizzard. This time, the final document had some clippings released that show it to be a lasting veto.
According to page 336 of the report published by the agency, there is a sign that the ban prevents Microsoft from trying a new acquisition of Activision for the next 10 years.
The CMA chose not to take the Redmond giant’s agreement with Nintendo into account for its decision. The partnership guarantees that there is no exclusivity in the studio’s important franchises, as is the case with call of duty.
“The merger ban also means that MS and ABK will not be able to try again for the next 10 years.
The prohibition would be effected by accepting commitments under section 82 of the Act or making an order under section 84 of the Act prohibiting the Merger and preventing the Parties from attempting a merger for an additional period: our normal practice would be to prevent a future merger between the Parties for the next ten years, unless circumstances change.”
It is worth noting that the document itself, as can be seen above, leaves open the possibility of a “Changing Circumstances” for the future, but without mentioning what would be the factors for this change.
There are those who believe – such as the company specializing in analysis of the video game industry DFC Intelligence – that Microsoft will need to make new concessions to regulatory entities for the CMA to reverse its decision.
For you, what will be the outcome of this “soap opera” about the merger between Microsoft and Activision Blizzard? Tell us your opinion in the space provided for comments.
