Microsoft’s US$69bn (£55bn) takeover of Call of Duty publisher Activision Blizzard has been approved by the European Union after it dismissed concerns that had seen the deal rejected by UK regulators.
Britain’s competition watchdog the CMA had said the merger would restrict access to non-Xbox users, but the EU Commission, while noting the issues, said they were not enough to block the merger.
Microsoft would have no incentive to restrict access, according to the EU, adding its decision had been based on “extensive information and feedback from competitors and customers, including from game developers and distributors as well as cloud game streaming platforms in the EU.”
Redmond-based Microsoft said it had made commitments to ensure Call of Duty and other Activision games are available from any online store.
Microsoft and Activision responded furiously when the CMA blocked the takeover and reportedly have taken legal action separately to get the UK decision overturned.
UK competition officials reportedly baulked at the deal due to Microsoft’s 60-70% share of the cloud gaming market, but the EU said this was only a small part of the gaming market overall.