After Denying The Acqusition, UK Adds More Restrictions To Microsoft And Activision Interactions

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority has added more restrictions to the Microsoft acquisition of Activision following their decision to block the proposed deal last month.

As reported by GamesIndustry.biz, under the CMA's new order Microsoft and Activision will need to secure prior written consent from the CMA before either one acquires an interest in the other company or any subsidiaries, acquires an interest in another business that holds an interest in the other company, or hold an option to acquire an interest in either of the former two.

According to the CMA, these restrictions were added "for the purpose of preventing pre-emptive action" from either Microsoft or Activision Blizzard.

The acquisition of Activision by Microsoft has already been approved in Japan, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Chile, and Ukraine. The UK is the first and currently only regulatory body to formally block the deal, but we are still waiting to hear from the EU on May 22 (with suspected approvals coming as early as May 15th according to rumors), and a court hearing is scheduled in the US in August.

Note: Activision Blizzard has been sued by California’s Civil Rights Department, alleging violations of California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act and Equal Pay Act. CEO Bobby Kotick is alleged to have known about the alleged violations within his company. These allegations have all been denied by Activision Blizzard and the company points to additional diversity and inclusion training as past examples of taking the accusations seriously at the time they were made.