UK’s regulator has now extended the Microsoft Activision Blizzard merger decision deadline.
Microsoft Activision Blizzard Merger Decision Gets Extended
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has extended the deadline for its final decision on Microsoft’s acquisition deal with Activision Blizzard. It was supposed to be scheduled to deliver its ruling by July 18, 2023 but now it will be on August 29, 2023.
“The CMA considers that there is insufficient time remaining in the statutory period for full and proper consideration of Microsoft’s submission on the proposed Order,” the UK regulator said.
“As such, the Inquiry Group considers that there are special reasons to extend by six weeks… The revised period will therefore end on 29 August 2023. However, the Inquiry Group aims to discharge its duty as soon as possible and in advance of this date.”
In April 2023, the UK CMA initially blocked the deal due to concerns about its impact on the nascent cloud gaming market. Microsoft has been scheduled to appeal the decision in a court case starting on July 28, 2023, but it seems the company and the CMA have now halted legal proceedings to reach an out of court agreement.
There is now a report saying that Microsoft is planning to sell some of its UK cloud gaming so it could seal the deal for good.