Microsoft finalizes Activision Blizzard King acquisition deal

Earlier today, Microsoft received the green light from UK’s CMA regulatory body in regards to the Activision Blizzard King acquisition. This was the final step to declare the completion of the acquisition, but it was not a smooth ride for Microsoft. The 20-month merger process was scrutinized by many world-wide authorities and the US FTC even dragged Microsoft into court to make sure the software giant would not impose monopolistic practices.

In the official announcement, Xbox CEO Phil Spencer mentions that Microsoft will “continue to make more games available in more places – and that begins now by enabling cloud streaming providers and players to stream Activision Blizzard games in the European Economic Area, a commitment made to the European Commission.”

Still, the big franchises like Call of Duty, or Diablo are not coming right away to Game Pass. Select Call of Duty titles may be added in the coming months, but Diablo IV will not come to Game Pass for the foreseeable future.

With the completed merger, Xbox Game Studios welcomes more than nine new game studios under its umbrella, adding no less than 8,500 employees to its payroll.

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