The US Federal Trade Commission has officially given up trying to block Microsoft’s massive $68.7 billion purchase of Activision Blizzard. This deal, completed back in October 2023, stands as gaming history’s largest corporate acquisition.
The FTC began challenging this purchase in 2022, filing a lawsuit in December claiming the merger would damage competition in gaming markets. Even after Microsoft successfully completed the buyout in late 2023, the commission refused to back down. They filed an appeal trying to reverse the court’s approval, but the 9th Circuit Court shot down their request earlier this month.
Commission Officially Backs Down
In their formal statement released yesterday evening, the FTC wrote: “The Commission has determined that the public interest is best served by dismissing the administrative litigation in this case. Accordingly, it is hereby ordered that the Complaint in this matter be, and it hereby is, dismissed.”
Microsoft president Brad Smith celebrated the news on social media, calling it “a victory for players across the country and for common sense in Washington, DC.” He also expressed gratitude to the FTC for their announcement.
Control of Activision Blizzard
Since taking control of Activision Blizzard, Microsoft has kept popular franchises like Call of Duty available on PlayStation consoles. The company has also expanded its reach by bringing Xbox exclusive games to other platforms. Obsidian’s Grounded now runs on both Nintendo Switch and PlayStation systems.
Recently, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle launched on PS5. The company also announced plans to bring a remastered version of the original Gears of War to PlayStation sometime this year.
This legal battle’s end removes the final regulatory hurdle from what many considered an industry-changing acquisition. Gaming fans can now expect continued expansion of Microsoft’s titles across multiple platforms.
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