Xbox is one step closer to completing the Activision Blizzard acquisition

The CMA (Competition and Markets Authority), the organization that regulates the UK market and monitors the practice of competitive activities, has just released a new statement that will surely be celebrated at the Microsoft offices. The institution has been immersed in its investigations for several months about whether to give the green light to the acquisition, but one of the issues that most seemed to jeopardize the transaction, the future of Call of Duty, is no longer a problem. According to the statement, it would not make any sense for the franchise to become exclusive to Xbox, since that would only make the company lose money.

The CMA has concluded that they are no longer concerned about that issue and that they will continue to settle with respect to others, such as the possible impact of the purchase for the game’s availability in streaming and subscription services. “Having considered the additional evidence provided, we have now provisionally concluded that the merger will not result in a substantial lessening of competition in console gaming services because the cost to Microsoft of withholding Call of Duty from PlayStation would outweigh any gains from taking such action,” explained Martin Coleman, one of the experts who is leading the investigation.

Many assumed that Call of Duty was the only stumbling block in the purchase and it was even rumored that the CMA could force Microsoft to leave the franchise out of the transaction, but once the issue was overcome and without any conditions, it now seems inevitable. And if the CMA says yes, the European Union will follow and the deal will enter its final stretch. But it will have to wait. We will have confirmation on April 26 (When the CMA pronounces it) and May 22nd (when the European Union will). Have we reached the end of biggest battle in the War of Consoles yet?

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