UPDATE: Xbox CEO Phil Spencer has introduced that Activision Blizzard King is formally part of Microsoft. Which means that a cornucopia of massive franchises, from “Pitfall to Name of Obligation, World of Warcraft to Overwatch, Sweet Crush Saga to Farm Heroes Saga” now fall beneath the Xbox banner.

It seems that Microsoft could lastly have its toes over the end line relating to buying Activision Blizzard. The method started in 2022, and Microsoft has needed to navigate a number of obstacles since then to finalize the deal. After loads of negotiating, the UK’s Competitors and Markets Authority has given its consent for the acquisition to shut.

It was rumored that this was the case earlier within the week, however we now have an official assertion. The step ahead comes after Microsoft agreed to not purchase Activision Blizzard’s cloud streaming rights, as a substitute handing it over to Ubisoft. When commenting on Microsoft’s concession, Martin Coleman, Chair of the Impartial Panel, acknowledged that the brand new deal is “higher for competitors, higher for shoppers and higher for financial progress.”

What does Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard entail?

In a collection of paperwork launched by the CMA on October 13, it’s defined that when the acquisition goes by means of, Activision Blizzard “will survive as an entirely owned subsidiary solely managed by Microsoft and can stop to be distinct.” Following renegotiations to appease the CMA, Activision’s cloud streaming rights will probably be transferred to Cloud Newco, which will probably be acquired by Ubisoft.

This doesn’t imply Microsoft is fully out of the woods but. One of many greatest issues is that the acquisition will end in much less competitors inside the gaming business, particularly concerning cloud gaming. Consequently, the CMA has been given the correct to nominate a trustee and the flexibility to make sure compliance with the undertakings got down to cut back Microsoft’s monopolization.

With the finalization of the acquisition, we all know that Activision Blizzard expects much more of its titles to wind up on Recreation Cross. We is also lots of the firm’s video games changing into Xbox console exclusives, although large franchises like Name of Obligation could also be protected for now.