Microsoft+1.51%
Activision Bl...+0.78%
EU opens in-depth probe into Microsoft-Activision $69B deal
The European Commission said on Tuesday it will expand its antitrust investigation into Microsoft's proposed $68.7 billion acquisition of game maker Activision Blizzard as its preliminary probe showed the deal could "may significantly reduce competition on the markets for the distribution of console and PC video games, including multi-game subscription services and/or cloud game streaming services, and for PC operating systems."
The Commission stressed it is particularly concerned Microsoft could "foreclose access" to Activision's highly popular games such as "Call of Duty" and noted it will decide by March 23 whether it will allow or block the transaction.
In September, United Kingdom's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched an in-depth investigation into the deal after finding that it could lead to a "substantial lessening of competition" in Britain.