Microsoft And Activision Agree To Extend Merger Time Limit Until October 18

Microsoft and Activision extend the merger time (photo: Unsplash)

JAKARTA - After approximately 18 months of struggle over the acquisition process, Microsoft and Activision Blizzard are getting closer to the stipulation of their merger agreement.

But unfortunately, with the problems still to be resolved in the UK, the company was unable to finalize the deal according to the initial deadline set, which was July 18.

Thus, both parties have agreed to extend their merger agreement time for the next three months, or until October 2023.

Microsoft and Activision Blizzard have extended the merger agreement deadline to 10/18. We're optimistic about getting this done, and excited about bringing more games to more players everywhere.

— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) July 19, 2023

Microsoft and Activision Blizzard have ended the merger agreement deadline to 10/18. We're optimistic about getting this done, and excited about bringing more games to more players everywhere.

"Microsoft and Activision Blizzard have extended the deadline for the merger agreement to 18/10. We are optimistic to resolve this, and excited to bring more games to more players anywhere," Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer wrote in a statement on Twitter.

"While we can technically close in the United States due to recent legal developments, this extension gives us additional time to resolve the remaining regulatory issues in the UK," Spencer added.

The UK's competition and market authority (CMA) initially blocked the deal in April due to concerns over its impact on the cloud game market.

After that, Microsoft filed an appeal against the CMA decision. After that the CMA said it was willing to review the modified merger proposal.

Based on Engadget, CMA, Microsoft and Activision records, they have also submitted a joint proposal to the appeals court to postpone their two-month litigation in an effort to resolve regulatory issues peacefully.

The appeals court granted the request on Monday, July 17. CMA was then given for six weeks, until the end of August, to review Microsoft's new proposal. However, he hopes to do so as soon as possible.

It is uncertain when Microsoft's IDR 986 trillion acquisition will be completed, but CMA and both companies have a deadline to complete it just before October 18.