Microsoft has finalized its acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the video game holding company, marking one of the most significant tech deals in history. The landmark $69 billion merger faced a considerable obstacle when the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) initially blocked the transaction in April 2022 over concerns surrounding cloud gaming competition.

The main point of the CMA's reservations was the potential for Microsoft to monopolize popular titles like "Call of Duty," "World of Warcraft," and "Overwatch," potentially hindering rival gaming platforms. The acquisition's impact on emerging cloud-based gaming services, which let users play without direct downloads, was a focal point of this investigation.

However, a breakthrough came when Microsoft proposed a restructured deal. It involved selling Activision's cloud gaming rights to Ubisoft, allowing Ubisoft to stream Activision titles, effectively retaining market competition. This amendment seemed to address the CMA's concerns, ensuring that the budding cloud gaming industry remains dynamic and diversified.

With the EU already green-lighting the deal in May after similar commitments by Microsoft and the US Federal Trade Commission's opposition thwarted in July, this approval by the CMA appears to pave the way for Microsoft's enhanced role in the gaming sphere. The acquisition was officially completed right after the CMA's approval on 13th October 2023, placing Microsoft at the forefront of the gaming industry's evolution. 
 

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