Microsoft: FTC seeks to block Activision purchase

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of USA has just dealt the deadliest blow against the purchase of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft. The regulatory body filed a lawsuit against the acquisition of the company that owns Call of Duty y Warcraft for US$69 million, putting one of the largest technology industry transactions in history at great risk.

As reported by the chain CNN, the administrative complaint was filed by the FTC on Thursday, December 8, arguing that the agreement that would originally make Microsoft in the third largest video game distributor in the world would provide the technology firm “both the means and the motive to harm the competition”.

The US FTC opposes the purchase of Activision Blizzard

The agency’s statement states that the acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft it would have a negative impact on the prices of video games, as well as on the quality of new titles, on the experiences of console players and on streaming or cloud gaming services.

Holly Vedovadirector of the Competition Office of the FTCHe mentioned the following: “Today we try to prevent Microsoft seize control of a leading independent game studio and use it to hurt competition in multiple fast-growing and dynamic gaming markets.”.

This is the biggest blow the deal has suffered since it was announced last January. Microsoft was dealing with the complaints, doubts and questions from regulators around the world with the intention of convincing them to give the go-ahead to the purchase of Activision Blizzard. Likewise, the demand supposes the greatest challenge for the FTC since he went against Metamatrix of Facebookin 2020.

Microsoft intends to wage war

After filing the claim for the FTC against the deal, Brad Smith -current president of Microsoft– He spoke through his social networks and pointed out that the company continues to believe that the agreement will expand competition and create more opportunities for gamers and developers of video games. Therefore, it is not willing to give in and will fight the decision of the US regulatory body in court.

“We have been committed from day one to addressing competition concerns, even offering proposals for concessions to the FTC earlier this week. Although we believe that peace should be given a chance, we have full confidence in our case and appreciate the opportunity to present it in court.Smith said in his Twitter post.

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