The U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority gave the green light to Microsoft’s proposed $69 billion takeover of gaming firm Activision Blizzard, removing the last major hurdle for the deal to close.
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) was the final regulator holding up the deal. Microsoft should now be able to close the acquisition.
In August, Microsoft made a concession that would see Ubisoft, instead of Microsoft, buy Activision’s cloud gaming rights. The CMA describes Microsoft’s concession as a “gamechanger that will promote competition” in the growing cloud gaming market.
Microsoft vice chair and president Brad Smith says the company welcomes the CMA’s decision. “We have now crossed the final regulatory hurdle to close this acquisition, which we believe will benefit players and the gaming industry worldwide,” says Smith in a message on X (formerly Twitter).