Merger creeps closer toward completion
China’s State Administration for Market Regulation hasconcluded its investigationinto Microsoft’s proposed $68.7 billion (USD) purchase of publisher Activision Blizzard, concluding that it has no issue with the transaction taking place and thus offers “unconditional” approval.
With the region’s antitrust regulators taking no issue with the controversial merger, China joins a growing number of parties to offer Microsoft their backing in the merger, which will see the Xbox owner take proprietorship of franchises such asWorld of Warcraft, Overwatch, Diablo, andCall of Duty— The latter brand being, ultimately,the lynchpinof this long and drawn-out acquisition process.
“China’s unconditional clearance of our acquisition of Activision Blizzard follows clearance decisions from jurisdictions such as the European Union and Japan, bringing the total to 37 countries representing more than two billion people,” wrote Microsoft in a statement to press outlets. “The acquisition combined with our recent commitments to the European Commission will empower consumers worldwide to play more games on more devices.”
As noted in the statement, Microsoft has already sought and found approval from Brazil, South Africa, Japan, Ukraine, andthe European Union. The UKdid not offer its backingof the merger, with Microsoft set to appeal. The final boss, as it were, ultimately comes down to Microsoft’s home territory of North America, where the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)has actually filed suitin order to block the merger from taking place.
The case is expected togo to trial this August, with the losing party able to appeal the verdict.
