The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has officially dropped its case against Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, two years after the completion of the historic games deal.
Microsoftcompleted the games industry’s biggest ever deal in October 2023, after the US District Court for the Northern District of Californiadenied the FTC’s motionfor a preliminary injunction, allowing the acquisition to be completed.
However, unwilling to let the matter lie, the FTC proceeded with an appeal in December 2023, attempting to overturn the court’s decision. Earlier this month,that appeal was rejected, and on Thursday, the Commission officially dropped the case entirely.
“The Commission has determined that the public interest is best served by dismissing the administrative litigation in this case,” it said. “Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Complaint in this matter be, and it hereby is, DISMISSED.”
Commenting on the news, Microsoft president Brad Smithwrote: “Today’s decision is a victory for players across the country and for common sense in Washington, D.C. We are grateful to the FTC for today’s announcement.”
According to the appeals court, the FTC failed to show that Microsoft would have prevented rival companies from gaining access to Call of Duty after acquiringActivision Blizzard. It also dismissed the argument that Microsoft would makeActivisiongames exclusive toXbox.
Since the acquisition was completed, Microsoft has continued to make Call of Duty games available onPlayStationplatforms, and has also released numerous former Xbox exclusives onSony’s console, includingsuch titles as Forza Horizon 5,Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, andSea of Thieves.
This month, it was also announced thatGears of War: Reloaded is coming this summer to Xbox Series X/S, PC and PS5, marking the Xbox series’ debut on PlayStation, as well asSenua’s Saga: Hellblade 2.
Since the Activision Blizzard deal was completed, the addition of the Call of Duty giant hasboosted Microsoft’s earnings significantly, but it was also followed bya significant number of layoffs.
