Microsoft Wins US Court Approval to Acquire Activision Blizzard: A Game-Changing Deal
The battle is over. Microsoft has secured a major victory, receiving US court approval to acquire Activision Blizzard in a landmark $69 billion deal. This triumph follows a protracted legal challenge, primarily from the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and marks a significant shift in the gaming landscape.
In a victory over the US Federal Trade Commission, Microsoft Corp. received a court\'s approval to proceed with its $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard Inc. The federal appeals court on Wednesday rejected a legal challenge by the Federal Trade Commission to Microsoft\'s $69 billion purchase of “Call of Duty” maker, solidifying Microsoft\'s position. The Republican-controlled Federal Trade Commission is abandoning a Biden-era effort to block Microsoft’s purchase of “Call of Duty” video game maker Activision, signaling the end of the regulatory hurdle in the US.
Microsoft Corp. changed the course of its $69-billion bid for Activision Blizzard Inc. in minutes Tuesday, winning an unprecedented reconsideration from a British regulator. This paved the way for ultimate approval across the board.
Microsoft won its appeal in US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) challenge to US$69 billion Activision Blizzard deal on, after a federal court rejected the FTC\'s initial attempts to block the merger. The FTC\'s challenge centered on concerns about competition, particularly regarding the future of popular titles like "Call of Duty."
While facing US hurdles, In the meantime, Microsoft completed its purchase of Activision in October 2025 after it won approval from the United Kingdom’s competition watchdog, which had also initially voiced concerns. This global scrutiny underscores the magnitude of the acquisition and its potential impact on the gaming industry.
The acquisition promises to bring Activision Blizzard\'s extensive portfolio of games, including "Call of Duty," "World of Warcraft," and "Candy Crush," under the Microsoft umbrella, bolstering Xbox Game Pass and Microsoft\'s gaming presence across platforms. This move is expected to drive innovation, expand content offerings, and further solidify Microsoft\'s position as a leading force in the entertainment industry.