A number of countries have already approved Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, including Chile.
Die Chilean Audit Fiscalía Nacional Economica (FNE) has on Thursday the Acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft promised. In the notice, the regulator explained that there is ample competition from other major video game publishers such as EA (Electronic Arts), Ubisoft, Epic Games and others.
heard with it Chile to the small selection of countries that have closed the nearly US$ 69 billion deal so far. have so far Brazil, Saudi Arabian and Serbia committed to the merger between the Call of Duty publisher and the Xbox makers.
Activision Blizzard sees itself confirmed
“While other relevant regulators are reviewing the facts, we expect more approvals like this,” like Lulu Cheng MeserveyEVP of Corporate Affairs at Activision Blizzard, tweeted (via WindowsCentral.com).
Chile’s competition authority, FNE, has now approved our acquisition by Microsoft, joining regulators elsewhere that have also recognized the deal’s benefits for competition and players.
As other responsible regulators review the facts, we expect more approvals like this one.
— Lulu Cheng Meservey (@lulumeservey) December 29, 2022
Microsoft still needs approval from many more countries, where regulators have yet to finalize their review of the deal. Prominent representatives are the European Commission and the CMA in the UK. Also the FTC in the USA tries to block the deal.
How long will it be before the deal closes?
Chile is certainly a large country geographically, but very small for the gaming market. The pledges of other countries like Brazil, Saudi Arabia and Serbia are a good way to present a good argument against the EU, CMA and FTC. But it will be a while before the deal is actually finalized. Some regulators will take longer than others. Perhaps there will even be a veto, in which case Microsoft will first have to go to court and the conclusion will be a long time coming.