FTC loses appeal, deal to close for Microsoft Activision Blizzard in US.

FTC loses appeal, deal to close for Microsoft Activision Blizzard in US.

Update: United States Court Clears the Way for Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard Acquisition

Good news, gamers! The long-awaited acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft is one step closer to reality. In a stunning blow to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the United States’ 9th circuit has denied their request for injunctive relief. And who delivered this knockout punch? None other than Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley, the same judge who previously ruled against the FTC’s bid to stop the acquisition. Talk about a double whammy!

To add insult to injury, Judge Corley didn’t hold back in her verdict. She cleverly highlighted how Microsoft’s commitment to Call of Duty played a major role in her decision. She pointed out that Microsoft has not only promised to keep the game on PlayStation for the next 10 years, but they’ve also struck a deal with Nintendo to bring Call of Duty to the Switch. And let’s not forget, they’ve even made agreements to bring Activision’s content to several cloud gaming services. That’s what you call a persuasive argument!

Sure, Microsoft may have faced some snickering earlier this year when they announced a barrage of 10-year deals with every competitor under the sun. But guess what? Those deals have paid off big time. Judge Corley clearly believes that Microsoft intends to honor its commitments and expand Call of Duty’s reach across multiple platforms. So, haters, take that!

Now, all eyes are on the clock. Microsoft is eagerly waiting for Corley’s temporary restraining order to expire at 11:59pm PT tonight. Once that happens, they’ll have until July 18 to finalize the acquisition. Activision Blizzard is so confident that they’re already preparing to withdraw from the US stock exchange’s top 100 index. It’s like they’re saying, “Get ready, world, because Microsoft is about to become our new best friend!”

But hold your horses, there’s one last hurdle to jump. The UK’s Competition Markets Authority is still opposing the acquisition. However, they’ve shown some flexibility and expressed willingness to renegotiate with Microsoft and Activision Blizzard. Hey, it’s all about finding common ground, right?

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So, fellow gamers, get ready for a whole new era in gaming. Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard is nigh, and it’s going to be epic. And while we wait for this monumental event, make sure to check out our exclusive Xbox Series X games guide to get a sneak peek at all the incredible titles in development. Happy gaming!

Original content courtesy of source.

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