Microsoft bid for Activision likely to be blocked by FTC lawsuit: report - Fox Business

Microsoft's bid to get the video crippled steadfast Activision Blizzard reportedly could look a large roadblock arsenic aboriginal arsenic adjacent month.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is apt to record an antitrust suit to artifact the $69 cardinal takeover, according to Politico, citing radical acquainted with the matter.

A suit challenging the woody is not guaranteed, and the FTC’s 4 commissioners person yet to ballot retired a ailment oregon conscionable with lawyers for the companies.

The FTC unit reviewing the woody are skeptical of the companies’ arguments, those radical said.

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The Activision Blizzard Booth during the Electronic Entertainment Expo successful Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong / AP Images)

At the halfway of the FTC’s concerns is whether acquiring Activision would springiness Microsoft an unfair boost successful the video crippled market. 

Microsoft’s Xbox is fig 3 to the industry-leading Sony Interactive Entertainment and its PlayStation console. 

Sony is acrophobic that if Microsoft made deed games similar Call of Duty exclusive to its platforms Sony would beryllium importantly disadvantaged.

An Activision spokesperson gave FOX Business the pursuing statement.

"Any proposition that the transaction could pb to anticompetitive effects is wholly absurd.  This merger volition payment gamers and the U.S. gaming industry, particularly arsenic we look progressively stiff contention from abroad.  We are committed to continuing to enactment cooperatively with regulators astir the globe to let the transaction to proceed, but won’t hesitate to combat to support the transaction if required."

Microsoft logo is seen connected a smartphone placed connected displayed Activision Blizzard logo. (REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration / Reuters)

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Shares of Activision fell astir 4% successful extended trading.

Microsoft announced the woody successful January, successful the biggest gaming manufacture woody successful history.

Microsoft gave the pursuing connection to FOX Business.

"As we person said before, we are prepared to code the concerns of regulators, including the FTC, and Sony to guarantee the woody closes with confidence. We’ll inactive way Sony and Tencent successful the marketplace aft the woody closes, and unneurotic Activision and Xbox volition payment gamers and developers and marque the manufacture much competitive.."

Bobby Kotick, CEO Activision Blizzard Inc.and Satya Nadella, CEO Microsoft (Photographer: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg via Getty Images  |   Microsoft / Getty Images)

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The EU opened a full-scale probe earlier this month. The EU contention enforcer said it would determine by March 23, 2023, whether to wide oregon artifact the deal.