FTC Fails to Block Microsoft's Activision Blizzard Deal

Microsoft has achieved another significant milestone in its quest to acquire Activision Blizzard, overcoming a challenge from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco has denied the FTC's appeal to block Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of the company behind the popular franchise, Call of Duty. This decision, made by a three-judge panel, upholds the July 2023 ruling that allowed Microsoft to move forward with the acquisition, which was originally announced in late 2022, according to Reuters.

The acquisition has been under scrutiny for over three years, drawing opposition from various quarters, including select U.S. Senators who were among the first to voice concerns. Their worries centered around the ongoing consolidation within the tech industry, especially as Microsoft, the Xbox manufacturer, expanded its portfolio by acquiring major companies. There were fears among competitors and gamers that this deal might result in popular franchises like Call of Duty being exclusive to Microsoft platforms. However, Microsoft has reassured stakeholders that it has no intention of restricting these franchises to lengthy exclusivity periods.

Every Video Game Franchise Xbox Owns After Acquiring Activision Blizzard

View 70 ImagesDespite facing numerous challenges throughout 2023, Microsoft successfully completed its acquisition of Activision Blizzard in October of the same year. The FTC's recent appeal represented a potential late-stage obstacle to the deal, but with its dismissal, it appears that the FTC's efforts to block the acquisition have come to an end.

For a comprehensive timeline detailing Microsoft's journey to finalize the Activision Blizzard acquisition, you can click here.