Merger Update: Microsoft / Activision Blizzard

Merger reference decision announced:

On 1 September 2022, the CMA decided, on the information currently available to it, that is it or may be the case that the following Merger may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom.

Anticipated Acquisition by Microsoft Corporation of Activision Blizzard, Inc.

Pursuant to section 73A(1) of the Act, the Parties had until 8 September 2022 to offer an undertaking that may be accepted by the CMA under section 73(2) of the Enterprise Act 2004 (the Act). On 6 September 2022, Microsoft informed the CMA that it would not be offering any undertakings. The CMA has therefore decided to refer this Merger for a phase 2 investigation pursuant to section 33(1) and 34ZA(2) of the Act.

The full text of this decision will be placed on the Competition and Markets Authority's website at www.gov.uk/CMA-cases as soon as is reasonably practicable.

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