Microsoft prevails again against the FTC in its pursuit of Activision Blizzard.
A US appeals court dismissed the FTC's attempt to halt Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of the Call of Duty publisher, solidifying the deal initially proposed in late 2022 (per Reuters). A three-judge panel rejected regulators' challenge to last year's approval, clearing the final obstacle.
The landmark acquisition faced intense scrutiny for three years, drawing early opposition from US senators concerned about tech industry consolidation. Amid fears that franchises might become Xbox exclusives, Microsoft consistently vowed to keep major titles like Call of Duty available across platforms.
Complete List of Video Game Franchises Under Xbox Following Activision Blizzard Deal
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Despite ongoing regulatory hurdles throughout 2023, Microsoft ultimately sealed the deal in October. The FTC's latest rejected appeal appears to mark the definitive conclusion to this historic gaming industry merger.
Explore our complete timeline detailing Microsoft's journey to finalize the Activision Blizzard acquisition here.
