Microsoft proposed to acquire Activision Blizzard back in 2022 in order to provide more innovative and creative games to players, but the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority had concerns about the acquisition’s impact on cloud game streaming.
In order to address these concerns, Microsoft and Activision Blizzard have restructured the transaction so Microsoft acquires a narrower set of rights. The new terms include transfering the cloud streaming rights for all current and new Activision Blizzard PC and console games released in the next 15 years to French game publisher Ubisoft Entertainment SA. This agreement will enable Ubisoft to commercialize game distribution via cloud streaming and offer Activision Blizzard’s games to cloud gaming services running non-Windows operating systems.
Microsoft is still obligated to provide cloud streaming rights in the European Economic Area, in full compliance with their commitments to the European Commission. This CMA has been notified of the restructured transaction, and upon approval, Microsoft and Activision Blizzard will be one step closer to bringing the joy of gaming to players everywhere.
