Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard deal gets preliminary approval from UK regulator

Illustration by William Joel / The Verge

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has given preliminary approval for Microsoft to proceed with its $69 billion Activision Blizzard deal. The CMA had originally blocked the acquisition over cloud gaming concerns, but Microsoft recently restructured the deal to transfer cloud gaming rights for current and new Activision Blizzard games to Ubisoft. In a memo to employees (included below), Xbox boss Phil Spencer called it a positive development and a welcome indicator that our hard work is bringing us closer to our goal."

The CMA considers that the restructured deal makes important changes that substantially address the concerns it set out in relation to the original transaction earlier this year," the CMA said in a press...

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