Microsoft Sets New Deadline to Close Acquisition of Activision Blizzard

Microsoft will have to wait a few more months to complete its acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Both parties have reached an agreement in extremis that will extend the deadline to close the deal until October 18. The original deadline was supposed to be reached this Tuesday. Phil Spencer himself, head of Xbox, has been responsible for breaking the news on social media.

Microsoft’s purchase of Activision Blizzard has new deadline

“Microsoft and Activision Blizzard have extended the merger agreement deadline to 10/18,” Spencer begins. “We’re optimistic about getting this done, and excited about bringing more games to more players everywhere.” Both parties are still awaiting the outcome of negotiations with the CMA, the UK’s competition and market regulator, which has expressed strong opposition to the acquisition.

On the other hand, Brad Smith, president of Microsoft, pledges to “honor all commitments agreed upon” to all regulators and to “continue to work with the CMA on the issues raised in the UK.” “We are confident about our prospects for getting this deal across the finish line,” he concludes.

Activision Blizzard has not been silent either. It has done so through Lulu Cheng, the company’s CCO, who shared that the company is confident that the “deal will quickly close”. “Given global regulatory approvals and the companies’ confidence that CMA now recognizes there are remedies available to meet their concerns in the UK, the Activision Blizzard and Microsoft boards of directors have authorized the companies not to terminate the deal until after October 18,” the statement concluded.

The new chapter of the purchase comes after Microsoft’s key victory against the FTC (Federal Trade Commission of the United States), which gave them a free hand to complete the purchase in the same country. All that remains is to deal with the United Kingdom. Just a few more months.