Microsoft Activision deal could “harm” gamers, UK regulator decides

The UK regulator investigating Microsoft’s attempted $68.7bn Activision Blizzard takeover attempt has raised significant concerns over the deal going ahead.

In a provisional report published today, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said that Microsoft owning Activision “could harm UK gamers” and potentially result in “higher prices, fewer choices, or less innovation”.

While provisional, the findings paint a gloomy picture for Microsoft – against a similar backdrop of concerns raised by the US Federal Trade Commission and the EU’s European Commission.

Today’s report is not a final judgement on whether the deal is dead, however. The CMA will still inform Microsoft and Activision Blizzard of “possible remedies” and options to address its concerns, with a deadline later this month.

The CMA’s final report is due by 26th April.

In response to the CMA’s provisional report, Microsoft said in a statement it would grant “100 percent equal access to Call of Duty” across all major platforms, including PlayStation – something which has previously been raised as a major sticking point.

Microsoft’s full statement on today’s decision lies below:

“We are committed to offering effective and easily enforceable solutions that address the CMA’s concerns,” Rima Alaily, Microsoft’s corporate vice president and deputy general counsel said in a statement issued to Eurogamer.

“Our commitment to grant long term 100 percent equal access to Call of Duty to Sony, Nintendo, Steam and others preserves the deal’s benefits to gamers and developers and increases competition in the market. 75 percent of respondents to the CMA’s public consultation agree that this deal is good for competition in UK gaming.

“What does 100 percent mean? When we say equal, we mean equal. 10 years of parity. On content. On pricing. On features. On quality. On playability.”

More to follow.