FTC Fails to Block Microsoft's Activision Blizzard Deal in Court

Microsoft has achieved another significant victory against the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in its efforts to finalize its $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The FTC's latest appeal to block this monumental deal was rejected by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, further solidifying a transaction that was initially announced in late 2022, according to Reuters. This decision was made by a three-judge panel, concluding the FTC's challenge to the July 2023 ruling that permitted Microsoft to proceed with its acquisition.

The acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft has been under intense scrutiny for over three years. Early opposition came from several U.S. Senators who were concerned about the increasing consolidation within the tech industry, especially as Microsoft, the maker of Xbox, expanded its portfolio with major acquisitions. Both competitors and the gaming community expressed worries that such a move might result in popular franchises like Call of Duty being exclusive to Microsoft's platforms. However, Microsoft alleviated these concerns by stating that it had no intention of restricting certain franchises with prolonged exclusivity deals.

Every Video Game Franchise Xbox Owns After Acquiring Activision Blizzard

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Despite facing numerous challenges throughout 2023, Microsoft successfully completed its acquisition of Activision Blizzard in October of the same year. The FTC's appeal posed a potential final obstacle to normal operations, but with its efforts now thwarted, it appears that the FTC's pursuit has reached its end.

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