The UK government is investigating Microsoft’s purchase of Blizzard

The UK competition regulator – the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) – made the announcement last Wednesday (6). function Blizzard for that Microsoft.

The body will decide whether the acquisition affects competition in the gaming industry. This includes evidence of “higher prices, lower quality or reduced choice” for consumers that may result from the agreement.

Microsoft has accepted the investigation and has already said antitrust authorities will examine how the settlement, announced in January, affects competition in the video game industry, app stores and even job markets.

“We expect and believe that it is appropriate for regulators to closely review this acquisition.Microsoft vice president and general counsel Lisa Dancy said in a statement Wednesday.

“We were clear about how we plan to run our gaming business and why we believe this deal will benefit players, developers and the industry.”.

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“We are committed to answering the regulators’ queries and ultimately, we believe that a thorough review will help conclude the deal with broader confidence and that will be competitive.”, said Dancy.

“We are confident that the deal will close in fiscal 2023 as initially anticipated.”.

As part of the inquiry, the CMA will seek public feedback on the matter till July 20. The agency has until September to complete the investigation.

Anticipation of investigation

Shortly after announcing the largest acquisition in history, valued at $68.7 billion, Microsoft has already returned to regulatory bodies expecting scrutiny. Buying Blizzard would make Bill Gates’ company the world’s third-largest game publisher behind Tencent and Sony.

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In February, it announced a series of pledges applicable to its gaming business to avoid concerns that its guardianship could give it anti-competitive leverage over game publishers or software developers. .

“With a clear view of the competition law issues and the responsibilities we have, it is very appropriate for us to be very clear and quick about how we are going to run this business.Microsoft president Brad Smith told reporters at the time.

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via: CNBC