UK regulators block Microsoft's acquisition deal with Activision Blizzard

LONDON, April 26 (KUNA) -- Microsoft's USD 68.7bn Activision Blizzard deal has been blocked on Wednesday by UK regulators, following a months-long investigation.

The decision by the UK's Competition and Markets Authority prevents Microsoft from buying the publisher behind Call of Duty, World of Warcraft and Candy Crush, follows earlier concerns it would lead to an unfair impact on archrival PlayStation.
Instead, today's decision stems from the CMA's concerns over the deal's proposed impact on the cloud gaming sector.
In today's final report, the CMA said Microsoft's ownership of Activision Blizzard risked "stifling competition in this growing market". In response, Microsoft has said it will now appeal.
"We remain fully committed to this acquisition and will appeal," Microsoft president Brad Smith said today.
"The CMA's decision rejects a pragmatic path to address competition concerns and discourages technology innovation and investment in the United Kingdom," Smith added. (end) mrn.mb.