Biggest Acquisition In Game History, Microsoft Buys Activision Blizzard Inc, Allegedly Violating Antitrust Laws

Microsoft Corp bought Activision Blizzard Inc for $68.7 billion (Rp 1030 trillion). (photo: twitter @Activision)

JAKARTA - Britain's antitrust watchdog said on Wednesday, July 6 that it had started an investigation into Microsoft Corp's $68.7 billion (IDR 1030 trillion) deal to buy Activision Blizzard Inc, also known as the maker of the game Call of Duty.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it had until September 1 to make a phase 1 decision on whether a deal between the US tech company and video-game maker Activision would reduce competition in the UK.

"We are committed to answering questions from regulators and ultimately believe a thorough review will help the deal close with broad confidence, and it will be positive for competition," Lisa Tanzi, corporate vice president and general counsel for Microsoft, told Reuters in an emailed statement.

"We hope and think it is appropriate for regulators to look closely at this acquisition," Tanzi said. While Activision itself did not immediately comment on it.

In the biggest game industry deal in history, Microsoft said in January that it was buying Activision Blizzard with the intention of strengthening its game lineup. According to Refinitiv data, the Microsoft-Activision deal will be the largest cash acquisition ever recorded in gaming history in the world.

The CMA's phase 1 investigation will either lead to a finalized deal or will move to a more in-depth phase 2 review.