CNN Indonesia
Thursday, 13 Jul 2023 21:00 WIB
Microsoft will acquire Activision Blizzard after winning the lawsuit. (AFP/DENIS CHARLET)
Jakarta, CNNIndonesia —
Microsoft managed to win the United States (US) Federal Trade Commission (FTC) lawsuit over the acquisition of game development company Activision Blizzard. Thus, Microsoft will acquire company valued at US$69 billion or IDR 1,032 trillion.
A judge in the United States has ruled that Microsoft can proceed with its planned acquisition of video game maker Activision Blizzard.
Meanwhile, the competition watchdog in the UK said it was ready to discuss changes to address its concerns over the deal.
On the other hand, the FTC initially asked a judge to stop the proposed deal, arguing it would give Microsoft, maker of the Xbox game console, exclusive access to Activision’s games including the popular Call of Duty.
This FTC concern indirectly mentions that Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard could hinder the availability of the video game on other platforms.
Responding to these concerns, Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley said the FTC had not provided evidence to corroborate these concerns.
“The FTC has not indicated that the combined company is likely to succeed in its assertion that the combined company may withdraw Call of Duty from Sony’s PlayStation, or that its ownership of Activision content will substantially reduce competition in the subscription video game library and cloud gaming market.” said Corley on Tuesday (11/7), quoted from The Guardian.
With the judge’s decision, the FTC said they were disappointed with the result.
Reported CNNon Wednesday (12/7), it is said that the FTC will appeal the judge’s decision.
In its argument, the FTC opposed the acquisition, saying Microsoft would be able to use Activision’s games to knock out rival console companies such as Nintendo and Sony.
Meanwhile, Microsoft President Brad Smith, wrote on Twitter that the company was “thankful” for this “swift and thorough” decision.
On the other hand, Activision Blizzard chief executive Bobby Kotick, this merger will provide many benefits.
“Our merger will benefit both consumers and workers. It will enable competition instead of allowing entrenched market leaders to continue to dominate our fast-growing industry,” he said.
Microsoft itself has announced plans for this acquisition since January 2022. News of the acquisition has even been growing in the public since 2021.
(lom/lth)
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2023-07-13 14:00:00
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