UK extends deadline for Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard deal
UK extends deadline for Microsoft's Activision Blizzard deal
Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard Takeover Bid Faces Regulatory Hurdles
Hold on to your controllers, folks! The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has hit pause on Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard takeover bid. Why, you ask? Well, it seems Microsoft has thrown a curveball with a “detailed and complex” proposal, causing the CMA to extend its decision-making timeline. We’re biting our nails in anticipation!
But don’t worry, dear gamers, Microsoft isn’t giving up without a fight. According to a Bloomberg report, they might just be willing to sell off the cloud-based market rights for games in the UK to appease those pesky regulators. Talk about a bold move! This is like Microsoft trying to defeat the final boss with a well-timed power-up. Will it work? Only time will tell!
The CMA’s primary concern lies with cloud gaming, which they fear could stifle competition in this rapidly growing market. To address these concerns, Microsoft could potentially hand over the cloud-based market rights to a telecommunications, gaming, or internet-based computing company. Maybe even a private equity company will throw their hat in the ring! Can you imagine? It’s like watching a bidding war for the last copy of a limited edition game.
Now here’s where things get interesting. The CMA has made it clear that they’re open to restarting the whole merger investigation should Microsoft restructure the deal. Talk about a second chance! It’s like a game developer releasing a patched version of a glitchy game, hoping to win back the players’ hearts. But let’s not forget, Microsoft has set a deadline for themselves – 18th July – to complete this acquisition. Failing to meet this deadline could result in a whopping $3 billion fine! That’s enough to make any gamer cringe. So, you can bet Microsoft is hustling to get this deal done faster than a speedrunner completing a game in record time!
