UK Blocks Microsoft-Activision Gaming Deal Amid Cloud Gaming Concerns

LONDON: British regulators on Wednesday blocked Microsoft’s $69 billion buy of online game maker Activision Blizzard, thwarting the most important tech deal in historical past over worries that it might stifle competitors within the fast-growing cloud gaming market.

The Competition and Markets Authority mentioned in its last report that “the only effective remedy” to the substantial lack of competitors “is to prohibit the Merger.” The corporations have vowed to enchantment.

The all-cash deal confronted stiff opposition from rival Sony and was additionally being scrutinized by regulators within the U.S. and Europe over fears that it might give Microsoft management of common sport franchises like Call of Duty, World of Warcraft and Candy Crush.

The U.Ok. watchdog’s considerations centered on how the deal would have an effect on competitors in cloud gaming, which includes streaming video games to tablets, telephones and different units. That frees gamers from the necessity to purchase costly consoles and gaming computer systems.

Cloud gaming has the potential to alter the trade by giving folks extra selection over how and the place they play, mentioned Martin Colman, chair of the Competition and Markets Authority’s unbiased knowledgeable panel investigating the deal.

“This means that it is vital that we protect competition in this emerging and exciting market,” he mentioned.

Microsoft mentioned it was upset and signaled it wasn’t prepared to surrender.

“We remain fully committed to this acquisition and will appeal,” President Brad Smith mentioned in a press release. He mentioned the watchdog’s resolution “rejects a pragmatic path to address competition concerns” and discourages tech innovation and investment in the United Kingdom.

“We’re especially disappointed that after lengthy deliberations, this decision appears to reflect a flawed understanding of this market and the way the relevant cloud technology actually works,” Smith mentioned.

Activision also fired back, saying it would “work aggressively with Microsoft to reverse this on enchantment.”

Regulators had dropped concerns last month that the deal would hurt console gaming, saying it wouldn’t benefit Microsoft to make Call of Duty exclusive to its Xbox console.

The watchdog said Wednesday that it reviewed Microsoft’s proposals to ease competition concerns “in considerable depth” but found those solutions would require its oversight, whereas preventing the merger would allow cloud gaming to develop without intervention.

Microsoft already has a strong position in the cloud computing market and regulators concluded that if the deal went through, it would reinforce the company’s advantage by giving it control of key game titles.

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(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is revealed from a syndicated news company feed)