The UK’s competition regulator is seeking additional views on Microsoft’s takeover of video game developer Activision Blizzard, in a move that could lead to the previously blocked $69bn (£54bn) deal being cleared.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said that commitments made by Microsoft, including an agreement between Microsoft and rival Sony, have led to a “material change of circumstances” since it blocked the deal in April.
In a “very rare” move, the CMA has given a 4 August deadline for public submissions on the deal, before making its final decision by 29 August.
Britain’s antitrust regulator had come under increasing pressure over the deal after Microsoft securing approval from regulators in the US and the EU.
Microsoft president Brad Smith met with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt in June “in search of solutions” to the regulatory block. Smith had previously slammed the CMA’s decision as one that “discourages technology innovation and investment” in the UK.
Last month, the CMA said it would reopen talks with Microsoft in light of US judge overruling the Federal Trade Commission’s block on the deal.
In its original ruling, the CMA said that because Microsoft is a key player in the cloud gaming market, it would be in its interest to lock Activision’s games into Microsoft’s exclusive platforms.
However, Microsoft has since made legally-binding commitments to the European Commission and secured a licensing deal with Sony, which will keep the Call of Duty franchise on PlayStation for 10 years.
“Submissions of this nature are possible but are very rare,” a CMA spokesperson said.
“We will consider Microsoft’s submissions carefully, along with other responses from interested parties, ahead of the 29 August statutory deadline.”
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