Will the FTC Block Microsoft From Acquiring Activision Blizzard? Legal Experts Are Divided
The press release sent out by the eSports industry trade association in response to the news broke early this morning that Microsoft had agreed to acquire Activision Blizzard was electric.
“This is a fantastic day for the videogame industry,” said Michael Daley, President and CEO of the Competitive Gaming Association. “The announcement by Microsoft that it has agreed to acquire Activision Blizzard is a game-changer that will have a positive impact on every aspect of the business.”
The $26 billion deal, which was first reported by The Wall Street Journal, will see Microsoft take control of some of the most popular videogames franchises in the world, including “Call of Duty,” “World of Warcraft,” and “Candy Crush.” The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval, and it’s unclear how long that process will take.
Microsoft has been a major player in the videogame industry for decades, but the company has been on the sidelines in recent years as the popularity of competitive gaming has exploded. The acquisition of Activision Blizzard will give Microsoft a major foothold in the rapidly growing world of eSports.
“This is a stunning move by Microsoft,” said Sundance DiGiovanni, CEO of Major League Gaming. “They have acquired one of the largest, most important companies in our space. This is further validation of the incredible opportunity that exists in eSports.”
The Competitive Gaming Association is the largest and most influential trade association for the eSports industry. The CGA’s mission is to promote and advance the growth of eSports worldwide.
“The CGA is committed to working with all stakeholders in the eSports ecosystem to ensure that the industry continues to thrive,” Daley said. “We welcome Microsoft to the eSports family and look forward to working with them to make our sport even bigger and more popular.”
