In January 2022, Microsoft introduced its intention to accumulate Activision Blizzard for a whopping $68.7 billion. Since then, Microsoft has needed to overcome a number of hurdles to get the deal accepted in numerous areas. The UK has been one of many greatest obstacles, although it seems some essential progress has been made.

A press launch from the Competitors and Markets Authority reveals that it’s happy with the changes Microsoft has made to the deal following prior objections. As beforehand reported, Microsoft will now not buy Activision Blizzard’s cloud gaming rights. As an alternative, they are going to be bought to Ubisoft. That is being completed to stave off any sense of Microsoft’s monopolization of cloud gaming.

Following the restructured deal, the CMA nonetheless had some remaining considerations about how “sure provisions within the sale of Activision’s cloud streaming rights to Ubisoft might be circumvented, terminated, or not enforced.” Nonetheless, after Microsoft provided extra cures, the CMA concluded that the “extra safety ought to resolve these residual considerations.”

What occurs if the Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard goes by way of?

Commenting on the brand new deal, Sarah Cardell, CEO of the CMA, said that “Microsoft has now considerably restructured the deal, taking the required steps to deal with our unique considerations.” It’s true that the deal has considerably modified, as Microsoft will now not have possession of Activision Blizzard’s cloud gaming.

Microsoft president Brad Smith additionally issued a public touch upon the deal, saying they’re “inspired by this optimistic growth” within the assessment course of.

We’re inspired by this optimistic growth within the CMA’s assessment course of. We offered options that we imagine absolutely deal with the CMA’s remaining considerations associated to cloud recreation streaming, and we’ll proceed to work towards incomes approval to shut previous to the October 18…

— Brad Smith (@BradSmi) September 22, 2023

Nonetheless, ought to the deal undergo, it’s going to considerably develop Microsoft’s footprint within the gaming world. It’ll introduce a number of main IPs to the corporate’s gaming secure, together with Crash Bandicoot, World of Warcraft, and Overwatch. Microsoft will even acquire possession of Name of Obligation, although it has dedicated to preserving the first-person shooter multiplatform.

It ought to be careworn that this doesn’t imply that the deal has been finalized within the UK. If the deal is accepted, Microsoft will probably be one step nearer to sealing the most important gaming acquisition in historical past. The deadline for the closure is at present set for October 18.