Microsoft wins E.U. antitrust approval for Activision acquisition

The European Commission says the transaction was pro-competition, due to Microsoft’s agreement to licence titles

Microsoft has won E.U. antitrust approval for its $69 billion acquisition of Activision.

The European Commission says the transaction was pro-competition, due to Microsoft’s agreement to licence popular Activision games such as “Call of Duty” to rival game streaming platforms.

After initially having concerns, the E.U. Competition Commissioner reveals their issues have been addressed.

“We had a concern about cloud gaming,” Margrethe Vestager said. “Very nascent right now, but it will grow.”

“We saw none of the Activision Blizzard games that we are talking about, being available.

“This was a concern, but we were given a remedy.”

The positive news is also shared by Microsoft’s European President, Brad Smith, who took to Twitter to share it.

“The European Commission has required Microsoft to license popular Activision Blizzard games automatically to competing cloud gaming services. This will apply globally and will empower millions of consumers worldwide to play these games on any device they choose,” he said.