FTC Fails to Block Microsoft-Activision Merger

Microsoft has achieved another significant milestone in its pursuit to acquire Activision Blizzard, as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) faced another setback. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco has rejected the FTC's appeal to halt Microsoft's monumental $69 billion acquisition of the company behind the iconic Call of Duty franchise. This decision, made by a three-judge panel, marks the end of the FTC's challenge to the July 2023 ruling that permitted Microsoft to proceed with its acquisition, initially announced in late 2022 (via Reuters).

The acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft has been under intense scrutiny for over three years. Early opposition came from select U.S. Senators, who raised alarms about the increasing consolidation within the tech industry as Microsoft expanded its portfolio. Concerns also arose among competitors and gamers about the future availability of popular franchises like Call of Duty on rival platforms. However, Microsoft alleviated these fears by stating it had no intention of restricting these franchises with long exclusivity periods.

Every Video Game Franchise Xbox Owns After Acquiring Activision Blizzard

View 70 ImagesDespite ongoing challenges throughout 2023, Microsoft successfully completed its acquisition of Activision Blizzard in October of that year. The FTC's latest appeal represented a potential final hurdle, but with its rejection, the path is now clear for Microsoft to move forward without further regulatory interruptions.

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